How do you create nonlinear narratives with impactful choices?

1 Define your scope

The first step in creating nonlinear narratives is to define the scope of your story. How many choices do you want to offer to the player? How much do they affect the plot, the characters, and the world? How many endings or variations do you want to create? How do you manage the branching and the feedback? These questions will help you determine the scale and the structure of your nonlinear narrative, as well as the tools and resources you need to implement it. You can use diagrams, flowcharts, or software like Twine or Ink to map out your story and visualize the branching paths.

2 Design meaningful choices

The second step in creating nonlinear narratives is to design meaningful choices for the player. Meaningful choices are those that have consequences, reflect the player's values and motivations, and challenge the player's expectations and emotions. They should also be consistent with the game's genre, theme, and tone, and align with the player's role and agency. You can use different types of choices, such as moral dilemmas, strategic options, or personal preferences, to create different effects and outcomes. For example, in The Walking Dead, the player has to make moral choices that affect the relationships and survival of the characters, while in Mass Effect, the player has to make strategic choices that affect the fate of the galaxy.

3 Balance complexity and coherence

The third step in creating nonlinear narratives is to balance complexity and coherence. Complexity refers to the number and variety of choices and outcomes that the player can encounter, while coherence refers to the logic and consistency of the story and the world. You want to create a nonlinear narrative that is complex enough to offer replay value, diversity, and surprise, but also coherent enough to avoid confusion, contradiction, and frustration. You can use techniques such as checkpoints, flags, variables, or timers to track and control the branching and the feedback of the story. You can also use cues, hints, or summaries to help the player understand the consequences and implications of their choices.

4 Test and iterate

The fourth step in creating nonlinear narratives is to test and iterate. Testing is crucial to ensure that your nonlinear narrative works as intended, that the choices are clear and meaningful, and that the outcomes are satisfying and rewarding. You can use different methods of testing, such as playtesting, debugging, or analytics, to identify and fix any issues or errors in your story. You can also use feedback from testers, players, or peers to improve and refine your story. You can iterate on your story by adding, removing, or modifying choices and outcomes, or by adjusting the pacing, tone, or difficulty of the story.

5 Learn from examples

The fifth step in creating nonlinear narratives is to learn from examples. There are many games that feature nonlinear narratives with impactful choices, and you can study them to learn from their strengths and weaknesses, and to get inspired by their ideas and techniques. Some examples of games with nonlinear narratives are The Witcher 3, Life is Strange, Detroit: Become Human, Until Dawn, and Heavy Rain. You can analyze how these games use choices to create different effects and outcomes, such as branching plots, character development, moral dilemmas, emotional responses, or multiple endings.

6 Experiment and have fun

The sixth and final step in creating nonlinear narratives is to experiment and have fun. Nonlinear narratives are a creative and expressive form of storytelling that allow you to explore different possibilities, scenarios, and perspectives. You can use your imagination and your skills to create nonlinear narratives that suit your vision and your goals, and that appeal to your target audience and your genre. You can also experiment with different formats, media, or platforms to create nonlinear narratives that are unique and innovative. The most important thing is to enjoy the process and the results of creating nonlinear narratives with impactful choices.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?