The secret power of interactive storytelling more info & insights on http://blog.idate.fr

1. The Secret Power of
Interactive Storytelling

2. Wolf Among Us 2013

4. Ryan Kaufman
Director of Narrative Design
Telltale Games
Who am I?

5. Who am I?

6. The Secret Power of
Interactive Storytelling

7. Traditional Storytelling

8. Game Storytelling

9. Game Storytelling

10. Interactive Storytelling

11. Interactive Storytelling

12. Interactive Storytelling

13. Interactive Storytelling

14. The Future

15. Key Differences
• One-way
• Linear
• Universal
• Artist is author
Traditional Narrative Interactive Narrative
• Two-way
• Non-linear
• Personalized
• Player is an author

16. 1.) Interactivity creates investment
2.) The “Accomplice Effect”
3.) Personalization is ownership
4.) Role-playing is reality
4 Principles to Know

17. Interactivity is a Shortcut to
Investment
interactive narratives leverage the
gameplay itself to create investment
over time
players are doing your work for you!
Principle # 1:

18. things that create investment in the
story:
- relationships built or destroyed
- choices, large and small
- items crucial to the tale (food, Golden
Fleece, et al)
Interactivity is a Shortcut to
Investment
Principle # 1:

19. interactions are opportunities!
- to connect with the player with the
characters and the world
- to evoke an emotional reaction
don’t waste them!
Interactivity is a Shortcut to
Investment
Principle # 1:

20. players will do things
they might reject in a
traditional hero
you become culpable
in the unfolding
narrative
Principle # 2:
The Accomplice Effect

21. interactive narrative,
because of this
ownership can evoke
emotions like
- guilt
- jealousy
- duplicity
The Accomplice Effect
Principle # 2:

22. Interactive narratives are highly
personalized.
The player truly OWNS the
story, because to some degree,
they created it too.
Personalization is ownership
Principle # 3:

23. Interactive narratives are highly
personalized.
The player truly OWNS the
story, because to some degree,
they created it too.
Personalization is ownership
Principle # 3:

24. role-playing prepares the brain
for the real thing
Role-playing is reality
Principle # 4:

25. Role-playing is reality
VR therapy for PTSD
BRAVEMIND VR Exposure
Therapy software created at the
University of Southern California
Institute for Creative
Technologies (Dr. Albert Rizzo)
Principle # 4:

26. Role-playing is reality
role-playing prepares the brain
for the real thing
we can
- activate sensory cortex
- activate left temporal cortex
- release oxycontin
Principle # 4:

27. Cool.
So what, Ryan?

28. How to apply these principles in
a digital medium:
3 Secret Ninja Techniques

29. Location-branching is
expensive to create!
Players also value
branching
relationships:
- trust
- love
- friendship
Use emotional branching!
Secret Technique # 1:

30. Emotion can be branched
with:
- words/dialogue
- acting
- staging
relatively cheap; high
agency
Use emotional branching!
Secret Technique # 1:

31. The hero, right?
The villain?
Nope.
Who is your story about?
Secret Technique # 2:

32. make the main character
the vessel for the player
to fill
complex characters allow
more player choice
The story is about the player!
Secret Technique # 2:

33. - challenge player’s morals
- challenge empathy
- challenge loyalties
- it’s a personality quiz;
give feedback!
The story is about the player!
Secret Technique # 2:

34. Size matters not: little choices
can be as important as big ones
Don’t subvert
If you need to adjust, say “yes,
and…”
Respect Player Choice
Secret Technique # 3:

35. Power of Interactive Storytelling

36. Merci