How to write a simple Story for your Game : The Beginner's guide to video game narration
Farid BAHRI (Premium Insurance Ghostwriting)
I ghostwrite educational emails courses for insurance agents and financial founders.
Write a simple story to give your game more Cohesion
Writing a short story can be quite easy.
To write your next game narrative, focus on the setting. Then present the interaction of up to 3 characters in this setting.
Each of these character will correspond to a theme which will give your tale an atemporal dimension.
Here's a simple process to write your next short piece :
The example presented here is meant for a Role Playing Game, but you can adapt it easily by changing the setting and character archetypes.
Presenting the Setting
When presenting the setting, focus on its atmosphere and colors. It's the most direct way to create immersion, and subsequently attachment for the reader.
Describe the place through its sounds, the habits of its inhabitants and its resources.
Give your environment a clear Goal in this setting which can be accompanied by a definite timeframe. This last point will depend of the degree of anthropomorphism you want to use.
There were many kingdoms in Infiel.
But none was as resplendent as the Enchanted Web.
Passing adventurers could hear spirits yell.
A forest despondent of what falls in its ebb.
The cohesion between narration and gameplay
As you can see this example is still broad, you can later decide if you want to write high or dark fantasy to match your combat and exploration mechanics.
Write about Theme 1 - the Initiating Theme
After presenting the setting, introduce your 1st character as a Theme.
You can explain her goals and related stakes, but mentioning them is sufficient.
Aria was born in this land and wished to discover,
The fruits, the creatures and the incompleteness.
Passing adventurers always told people like her:
"A forest hides its claws in sweetness."
Introducing your elementary rules
Using the 1st theme to introduce the elementary rules of your game is essential. It's an opportunity to display your balance system through narration.
Write about Theme 2 - the Amplifying Theme
Then, introduce your 2nd character as a synergic Theme. In order to develop a synergy between the 2 themes you can emphasize the contrast between them or operate an effective proximity.
As for the 1st theme, mentioning the character's goals and related stakes.
Ethel was not born here and none know where.
Voyages for him were always a way to trim.
Passing adventurers always told people like him:
"Rootless, the forest will make you aware."
Hint at future events
Once again, make use of the story to introduce the rule of your game. Then, you can hint at future events enhancing replayability.
Write the Ending in synergy with the Chorus
You can continue your song or poem for as many strophes as wanted. As a beginner, I'd recommend you stop after the 4th strophe.
This last strophe is the end of your story. You can introduce a last character which will resolve the situation between the former 2. She can also be used to create a sequel.
This last strophe, and potential character, serves as an anchor : you do not need to introduce a new goal here, only to resolve the stakes presented.
As they reached the forest, and met as strangers,
None of them were eager to go on another journey.
A placid voice responded, as they queried each other:
"If you wish to stay, you should rest in ferny."
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Present the elements of the final strophe all along the story through a chorus.
Ideally, you'll present the 3rd character thanks to this chorus.
Light rains on forests deep.
As she's tired, light in web creeps.
And when a web is soaked too long.
The enchanted forest releases a song.
A Plan for your Tutorial
Once you've finished your short story, you have a plan for your tutorial. Each strophe serving as a part of the level.
Ideally, you want to transcribe this into a larger world view, and make use of the rules introduced here for each part of your game.
Full text : The Enchanted Web
Here's the full text with variations on the Chorus.
There were many kingdoms in Infiel.
But none was as resplendent as the Enchanted Web.
Passing adventurers could hear spirits yell.
A forest despondent of what falls in its ebb.
Light rains on forests deep.
As she's tired, light in web sleeps.
And when a web is soaked too long.
The enchanted forest releases a song.
Aria was born in this land and wished to discover,
The fruits, the creatures and the incompleteness.
Passing adventurers always told people like her:
"A forest hides its claws in sweetness."
Light stains all forests deep.
As she's tired, light in web weeps.
And when a web is soaked too long.
The enchanted forest releases a song.
Ethel was not born here and none know where.
Voyages for him were always a way to trim.
Passing adventurers always told people like him:
"Rootless, the forest will make you aware."
Light wanes on forests deep.
As she's tired, light in web reaps.
And when a web is soaked too long.
The enchanted forest releases a song.
As they reached the forest, and met as strangers,
None of them were eager to go on another journey.
A placid voice responded, as they queried each other:
"If you wish to stay, you should rest in ferny."
Light rains on forests deep.
As she's tired, light in web creeps.
And when a web is soaked too long.
The enchanted forest releases a song.