Indie Game Lunch Hour Making a Branching Narrative, Together!
Sep 10, 2025
Explore the captivating world of branching narratives in game development. The hosts share insights on crafting player-centric stories that engage emotions and empower decision-making. Discover the balance between player choices and their consequences, along with innovative gameplay mechanics like the eye feature. The importance of audience interaction in shaping narratives is highlighted, alongside creative inspiration for indie developers. Join the fun as they navigate the challenges and joys of making dynamic, unforgettable game adventures!
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Start By Defining Thematic Boundaries
- Define a thematic box before ideation to limit overwhelm and guide creative decisions.
- Use theme, emotions, and through-line to focus narrative and design work.
Avoid Designing For 'Everyone'
- Ask who the game is for early and design to delight that specific audience.
- Avoid building for 'everyone' because it produces bland, unfocused games.
Subvert Expectations With Care
- Use subversion of expectations deliberately to surprise players and deepen engagement.
- Blend tones (e.g., hopeful + surprise) to avoid predictable darkness while still delivering twists.