Narrative Design

Explain how narrative design is used to enhance player experience.

Explanation should include examples from existing games and consider five different elements in their answer. Students could consider: game genres, location, player control, actions, characterisation, structure, player interaction, themes, emotive response, character customisation.

Produce a Game Design document for a new game that meets client requirements.

Students should include: the purpose, target audience, theme, backstory, plot, any twists or red herrings, character types (player and non-player characters), character backstories, character capabilities, character status and beliefs, narrative flow. Once completed students should include how the finished product meets the brief and target audience.

Produce a Narrative Design document for dialogue to be used in a new game.

Students should produce documentation that includes possible dialogue between characters, non-player characters and the player for one scene or level within the game. The documentation could include: storyboard, sketches, flowcharts, layouts, concept art, a script.

Using appropriate testing strategies to gather feedback on the level design.

Students need to test their design ideas to determine whether they meet the needs of the brief. This can be through self-evaluation, interviews, questionnaires, focus groups. Students must use more than one source of information to test their designs.

Evaluate and refine the level design based on testing.

Students should evaluate the feedback received, establishing the enhancements and improvements suggested that they will implement. Students should not be afraid to reject feedback received where they feel necessary, giving reasons for this. Evidence of how and where necessary amendments have been made should be included.