Gaming

1. Game Development Essentials:
An Introduction
Third Edition

2. Chapter 5
Story & Character Development
creating the narrative

3. Key Chapter Questions
■ How do story elements in games differ from those in films and
other entertainment media?
■ What are some traditional story structures and
character archetypes?
■ What is interactivity and how can it be applied to storytelling?
■ What are some dramatic storytelling devices used in games,
and how do they affect immersion?
■ What are the different forms of character development,
and how do they specifically apply to game characters?

4. Storytelling Traditions
Cave Paintings
Valroe (Wikipedia Commons)

5. Generating Ideas
Spider: The Secret of Bryce Manor
Tiger Style

6. Classic Character Archetypes
Hero
Link (The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword)
Nintendo

7. Classic Character Archetypes
Shadow
The Joker (Batman: Arkham Asylum)
Eidos

8. Classic Character Archetypes
Mentor
Albus Dumbledore (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)
Electronic Arts

9. Classic Character Archetypes
Ally
Sheva Alomar (Resident Evil 5)
Capcom

10. Classic Character Archetypes
Guardian
The Inquisitor (Sacred 2: Fallen Angel)
Deep Silver

11. Classic Character Archetypes
Trickster
Glados (Portal 2)
Electronic Arts

12. Classic Character Archetypes
Herald
Princess Zelda (The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess)
Nintendo

13. Classic Character Archetypes
Protagonist
Lara Croft
(Tomb Raider)
Ezio Auditore da Firenze
(Assassin’s Creed II)
Square Enix Ubisoft

14. Classic Character Archetypes
Antagonist
The Archdemon
(Dragon Age: Origins)
Alma
(F.E.A.R.)
BioWare Warner Bros.

15. Classic Character Archetypes
Antagonist
■ Transformational
■ Mistaken
■ Exaggerated
■ Realistic
Mario & Wario
Nintendo

16. Classic Character Archetypes
Co-Protagonists
Ratchet & Clank Jak & Daxter
Sony Computer Entertainment America Sony Computer Entertainment America

17. Classic Character Archetypes
Supporting Characters
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Activision

18. Traditional Story Structure
Hollywood Three-Act
Diagram by Per Olin

19. Traditional Story Structure
Monomyth & Hero’s Journey
Illustration by Ben Bourbon

20. Story Elements
Premise
Devastation
NovaLogic, Inc.

21. Story Elements
Backstory
Myst
Cyan Worlds

22. Story Elements
Synopsis
Rift
Trion Worlds

23. Story Elements
Theme
Bioshock 2
Take- Two Interactive

24. Story Elements
Setting
Shadow Complex Assassin’s Creed II
Reprinted with permission from Microsoft Corporation Ubisoft

25. Plot
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
■ Balancing Conflict
■ Shifting Focus
■ Foreshadowing Events
■ Suspension of Disbelief
■ Realism
Naughty Dog

26. Plot
Suspension of Disbelief
Flower
Sony Computer Entertainment America

27. Plot
Realism
Skate 3
Electronic Arts

28. Game Story Devices
Interactivity
The Sims 3
Electronic Arts

29. Game Story Devices
Non-Linearity
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Square Enix

30. Game Story Devices
Player Control
Dungeon Fighter Online
Nexon

31. Game Story Devices
Collaboration
Diagram by Per Olin

32. Game Story Devices
Immersion
Batman: Arkham Asylum Puzzle Pirates
Eidos Three Rings

33. Game Story Devices
Immersion
Final Fantasy XIII Red Dead Redemption
■ Cinematics
■ Scripted Event
Square Enix Take- Two Interactive

34. Game Characters
Player Characters & Avatars
Brütal Legend
Electronic Arts

35. Game Characters
Non-Player Characters
Wii Sports Resort
Nintendo

36. Game Characters
Character Types
■ Animal
■ Fantasy
■ Historical
■ Licensed
■ Mythic

37. Character Development Elements
Character Triangle
JN

38. Character Development Elements
Character Arc
Diagram by Per Olin

39. Point-of-View
First-Person
Borderlands
Take- Two Interactive

40. Point-of-View
Third-Person
Dante’s Inferno
Electronic Arts

41. Visual Character Development
World of Warcraft City of Heroes
Blizzard Entertainment NCsoft

42. Visual Character Development
Techniques
Character concept drawings
■ Concept Art
■ Modeling
■ Texturing
■ Animation
Mark Soderwall

43. Visual Character Development
Style
Machinarium
Amanita Design

44. Verbal Character Development
Narration & Monologue
Portal: Still Alive
Reprinted with permission from Microsoft Corporation

45. Verbal Character Development
Dialogue
Batman: Vengeance storyboard
■ Reveal Character
■ Reveal Emotion
■ Advance the Plot
■ Reveal Conflict
■ Establish Relationships
■ Comment on Action
Ubisoft

46. Movement
Signature
Solid Snake (Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots)
Konami

47. Movement
Idle
Sonic The Hedgehog
Sega

48. Movement
Walking Cycle
Link (The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures)
Nintendo

49. Background, History & Advancement
Class & Race
Conquer Online
NetDragon Websoft Inc.

50. Background, History & Advancement
Skill
Runes of Magic
Frogster Interactive Pictures AG

51. Character Description
■ Name
■ Type
■ Gender / Age
■ Physical Appearance
■ Background and History
■ Personality Characteristics
■ Vocal Characteristics
■ Relevancy to Story Synopsis

52. Summary
■ Storytelling Traditions
■ Generating Ideas
■ Classic Character Archetypes
■ Traditional Story Structure
■ Story Elements
■ Plot
■ Game Story Devices
■ Game Characters
■ Character Development
Elements
■ Point-of-View
■ Visual Character
Development
■ Verbal Character
Development
■ Movement
■ Background, History &
Advancement
■ Character Description
■ Game Storytelling &
Documentation