Edugaming Teacher WorkshopEdugaming Teacher Workshop

Lehigh Carbon Community CollegeLehigh Carbon Community CollegeSummer 2011Summer 2011

GAME DEVELOPMENTGAME DEVELOPMENTStory ElementsStory Elements

EndAct III

•Provide Closure•Resolve Problem

EndAct III

•Provide Closure•Resolve Problem

MiddleAct II

•Provide Tension•Present Obstacles

MiddleAct II

•Provide Tension•Present Obstacles

BeginningAct I

•Capture Attention•Introduce Problem

BeginningAct I

•Capture Attention•Introduce Problem

Traditional Story StructureTraditional Story StructureThree-Act StoryThree-Act Story

• InteractivityInteractivity• Non-linearityNon-linearity

• story layersstory layers• pathingpathing

• Player control Player control • customizationcustomization• choicechoice• world-buildingworld-building• in-game communicationin-game communication• replayabilityreplayability

• CollaborationCollaboration• ImmersionImmersion

Game Story ElementsGame Story ElementsSummarySummary

Non-Interactive SequencesNon-Interactive SequencesCinematics & Cut-ScenesCinematics & Cut-Scenes

Cinematics such as this end game sequence from Portal can be immersive even though they do not involve player control.

• Premise (High Concept)Premise (High Concept)• BackstoryBackstory• SynopsisSynopsis• ThemeTheme• SettingSetting• CharacterCharacter

Traditional Story ElementsTraditional Story ElementsApplied to GamesApplied to Games

SummarySummary

Shadow Complex takes place in a dark, modern industrial setting -- while Assassin’s Creed II takes place in a more open, Medieval setting.

Story ElementsStory ElementsSetting

Player characterMario (Super Mario Galaxy)

Non-player character (NPC)Goomba (Super Mario)

Game CharactersGame CharactersPlayer Character/Non-Player Character

Wario (antagonist)Mario (protagonist)

Game CharactersGame CharactersProtagonist/Antagonist

Character TriangleCharacter Triangle

• NameName• Type (player character / NPC)Type (player character / NPC)• GenderGender• AgeAge• EthnicityEthnicity• Physical traitsPhysical traits• Personality traitsPersonality traits• Background & historyBackground & history• Relevance to storyRelevance to story

Character DescriptionCharacter DescriptionSummary

■ ■ GenderGender■ ■ AgeAge■ ■ Eye & hair colorEye & hair color■ ■ Height & weightHeight & weight■ ■ Body typeBody type■ ■ Physical attractivenessPhysical attractiveness■ ■ Distinguishing marksDistinguishing marks■ ■ Facial expressionsFacial expressions■ ■ Nervous ticksNervous ticks■ ■ GesturesGestures■ ■ Health Health ■ ■ GeneticsGenetics

Character DescriptionCharacter DescriptionPhysical

■ ■ BeliefsBeliefs■ ■ ValuesValues■ ■ AttitudesAttitudes■ ■ LifestylesLifestyles■ ■ BehaviorsBehaviors■ ■ TemperTemper■ ■ Social qualities Social qualities (shy or outgoing)(shy or outgoing)■ ■ General intelligenceGeneral intelligence■ ■ Emotional intelligenceEmotional intelligence

Character DescriptionCharacter DescriptionPsychological

Ratchet and Clank Ratchet and Clank – – Up your ArsenalUp your ArsenalBlast away through huge galactic battlefields as you Blast away through huge galactic battlefields as you discover new worlds to blow up! Jump into armored discover new worlds to blow up! Jump into armored vehicles with a teammate or go it alone with all new vehicles with a teammate or go it alone with all new power-packed weapons.power-packed weapons.

Prince of Persia Prince of Persia – – The Sands of TimeThe Sands of TimeDeceived by the traitorous Vizier, you are led to Deceived by the traitorous Vizier, you are led to unleash the Sands of Time curse upon the unleash the Sands of Time curse upon the Sultan’s Kingdom. With little but an ancient dagger Sultan’s Kingdom. With little but an ancient dagger and a devious princess to aid you, you must undo and a devious princess to aid you, you must undo your fatal error.your fatal error.

Premise / High ConceptPremise / High Concept

DevastationDevastationAs the leader of a group of Resistance fighters in a future devastated As the leader of a group of Resistance fighters in a future devastated Earth, you must assemble your army and travel the globe, restoring Earth, you must assemble your army and travel the globe, restoring peace and sanity in a very dangerous world.peace and sanity in a very dangerous world.

Wolverine’s RevengeWolverine’s RevengeYou have just 48 hours to find the antidote for the virus that was You have just 48 hours to find the antidote for the virus that was implanted in Wolverine. Along the way, you’ll face some of the greatest implanted in Wolverine. Along the way, you’ll face some of the greatest X-Men villains, including Sabretooth, Juggernaut, and Magneto.X-Men villains, including Sabretooth, Juggernaut, and Magneto.

Metal Gear Solid 2 – Sons of LibertyMetal Gear Solid 2 – Sons of LibertyAssume the role of Solid Snake, a one-man army determined to stop a Assume the role of Solid Snake, a one-man army determined to stop a deadly high-tech weapon from falling into the hands of the wrong deadly high-tech weapon from falling into the hands of the wrong people. Snake must utilize his skills in stealth, weaponry, and counter-people. Snake must utilize his skills in stealth, weaponry, and counter-terrorism to fight off the competing powers and destroy the gigantic terrorism to fight off the competing powers and destroy the gigantic killing machine, Metal Gear Ray.killing machine, Metal Gear Ray.

Half-LifeHalf-LifeTake on the role of Gordon Freeman, an ordinary technician who is Take on the role of Gordon Freeman, an ordinary technician who is forced to battle trans-dimensional monsters after an accident at a forced to battle trans-dimensional monsters after an accident at a secret research facility.secret research facility.

Premise / High ConceptPremise / High Concept