Narrative Design
Ongoing coverage on Narrative Design.
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The bigwigs who want AI-generated NPCs and writing think you're too dumb to appreciate a good…
This article argues that the push for AI-generated NPCs and dialogue in video games misunderstands the value of handcrafted details in creating immersive worlds and compelling narratives. The author contends that while AI might offer efficiency, it cannot replicate the creativity and nuance that human writers bring to background chatter, environmental storytelling, and characterization, ultimately leading to shallower game experiences. The piece criticizes industry figures who believe players won't notice or care about the difference, asserting that true game design relies on thoughtful, human-driven content.
Star Wars Zero Company wants to be more than XCOM with lightsabers: "Gamers are more sophisticated now"
Star Wars Zero Company, developed by Bit Reactor, aims to transcend the typical turn-based tactics genre by offering a more sophisticated experience for modern gamers. Director Greg Foertsch and narrative director Aaron Contreras emphasize unique inspirations like film noir and spy thrillers, while gameplay veterans from XCOM and Marvel's Midnight Suns are working to blend familiar tactical combat with a strong narrative focus and a player-driven avatar character. The game is set to release on August 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
"If FromSoftware released the full Dark Souls design document, no one would be debating the lore": Creator of one of the highest-rated new roguelikes on Steam says hands-off storytelling was key
Solo developer YuWave discusses the narrative design of their successful roguelike, Demon Lord: Just a Block, highlighting the effectiveness of hands-off storytelling inspired by games like Dark Souls and Hades. The game's approach of using short, punchy text and fragmented lore has resonated with players, leading to overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation’s Ending Will Make Players “Glad” to Play Through the Series – Director
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi aims for the game to make players feel glad they experienced the entire Remake series, rather than just focusing on the ending. He indicated the ending might be faithful, entirely new, or unexpected, and that the trilogy will incorporate lore from various spin-offs like Advent Children and Dirge of Cerberus. While DLC is a possibility if fan demand is high, the core story will conclude with the main game.
Narrative Notebook #5 – UNBEATABLE's music video vibes can't be beat
This analysis delves into the narrative design of the rhythm game UNBEATABLE, highlighting its unique approach to storytelling through music and its "artificial reality" aesthetic, drawing parallels to music videos and film trailers. Co-director RJ Lake discusses the challenges of conveying emotion and meaning without explicit exposition, emphasizing the game's demand for player interpretation.
Fallout veteran's new BioShock-esque RPG is "first and foremost a dialogue and conversation-rich" game – and devs say if you don't like that, "might we recommend Doom?"
InXile Entertainment's upcoming RPG, Clockwork Revolution, is being designed as a narrative-rich experience with a strong emphasis on dialogue and player choice, rather than a pure shooter. Developers have suggested that players seeking a more action-focused game might prefer titles like Doom or Gears of War: E-Day. The studio, led by Fallout veteran Brian Fargo, aims to deliver a deep RPG experience with complex systems and engaging storytelling.
Helix: Descent N Ascent Review – Black and white and puzzled all over
Helix: Descent N Ascent is a puzzle game for PC and Nintendo Switch that features a striking black-and-white art style inspired by various comic influences. The game challenges players with intricate puzzles that require critical thinking and the combination of unique abilities, while its narrative is conveyed through environmental storytelling and collectible scraps of paper. Despite some minor issues with unexitable puzzle rooms, bugs, and potential eye strain from its art style, the game is praised for respecting player intelligence and offering a satisfying experience.
Silent Hill f producer encouraged the game's writers to read '100-200 books a year'
Silent Hill f producer Motoi Okamoto revealed that the development team encouraged writers to read between 100 to 200 books annually to foster strong narrative skills. This emphasis on extensive reading was crucial for hiring writers like Ryukishi07, whose work demonstrated a deep understanding of the horror genre and the Silent Hill series.
Santa Monica Confirms a New Kratos-Led God of War — But You’ll Have to Play Laufey First
Santa Monica Studio has confirmed that a new God of War game centered on Kratos is in development, and it will follow the events of God of War Laufey. Creative director Cory Barlog stated that the narrative of Laufey is crucial for understanding the subsequent Kratos-led title. While specific release dates, platforms, or footage were not revealed, the studio emphasized the interconnectedness of these upcoming games.
The Blood of Dawnwalker’s Big Bad Isn’t a ‘”Mwahaha’ Supervillain,” Says Narrative Director
Narrative director Jakub Szamalek discussed the antagonist Brencis in The Blood of Dawnwalker, stating he is a rational actor aiming for vampiric feudalism rather than a typical supervillain. The game, launching September 3rd for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, features a unique vampire spawn mechanic inspired by Cadmus, which can lead to body horror elements. The roughly 50-hour adventure allows players to engage with the world and its systems in various ways, including confronting the main antagonist early or dismantling the Vampire Court.
007: First Light was originally going to be less about James Bond and more of 'an ensemble piece', with 'all the 00s working together, as they do in Slovakia'
007: First Light was initially conceived as an ensemble piece where multiple 00 agents would work together, according to lead writer Michael Vogt. IO Interactive ultimately shifted the focus to James Bond's individual development after an early mission resulted in the deaths of most other trainees, forcing Bond to mature and grapple with survivor's guilt.
"During the training sequence, we make a false promise": IO Interactive on the ensemble James Bond game that 007 First Light never was
IO Interactive's James Bond game, 007 First Light, originally planned for an ensemble cast of Double-O agents, shifted focus to a solo Bond after a narrative twist where most agents die. Lead writer Michael Vogt explained this change was made to transition the story from a lighter tone to a more serious reality for Bond, emphasizing his survival and subsequent maturation.
We're getting "a little bit more" of Warframe's Jade Shadows, as Digital Extremes knows Constellations "didn't give players as much as they wanted"
Digital Extremes acknowledges that the Warframe: Jade Shadows: Constellations update did not provide as much content as players desired. Community Director Megan Everett stated that more lore for Vena and Ryoku will be added later this year due to player feedback. The studio is committed to expanding the narrative of Warframe, which is known for its unique approach to storytelling in multiplayer games.
The designer of cult classic King of Dragon Pass says his upcoming hellish heist game is pushing the boundaries of a concept he invented in 1999: 'There's really nothing else quite like it'
David Dunham, designer of King of Dragon Pass, is releasing Thousand Hells: The Underworld Heists, a game he describes as a 'tactical narrative game' that pushes the boundaries of narrative design concepts he pioneered. The game features a surreal, replayable structure where player choices and party member traits are used to navigate underworld adventures, aiming for a concise, movie-like experience.
I didn't expect to miss Black Flag's original modern day story in the remake, but the series has lost some…
The removal of modern-day story segments in remakes like Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag Resynced diminishes the overall narrative cohesion of the franchise. These sections were crucial for grounding the historical memories and connecting the overarching plotlines across different eras. The author argues that Ubisoft's de-emphasis on this aspect makes the series feel directionless for long-time fans.
Carcass Clad is less story-heavy than Mouthwashing, but 'a lot of thought' has gone into it: 'We haven't discovered how much we can push it'
Developer Wrong Organ is exploring ways to integrate narrative into their upcoming roguelike tank simulator, Carcass Clad, without it feeling forced. While less story-heavy than their previous game Mouthwashing, the studio has put significant thought into the game's setting and lore, aiming to balance gameplay with storytelling.
'Consume Me' Wins Grand Prize, Nuovo Award at the 2025 IGF Awards
The indie game 'Consume Me' by Jenny Jiao Hsia, AP Thomson, Jie En Lee, Violet W-P, and Ken "coda" Snyder won the Seumas McNally Grand Prize and the Nuovo Award at the 2025 Independent Games Festival. The festival, held at the Game Developers Conference, also awarded prizes for Excellence in Visual Art, Audio, Design, Narrative, Best Student Game, Audience Award, and the alt.ctrl.gdc Award to various other independent titles.
Windrose's new Ashlands biome will expand your pirate escapades "significantly in scope"
Kraken Express announced that the first major update for its pirate survival game Windrose will introduce the Ashlands biome. This expansion will significantly increase the scope of the main story and side quests, adding new factions, enemies, items, and a new boss. The developer is also exploring new ship classes, improved ship combat, AI enhancements, and expanded base building options.
The first five episodes of Scarlet Hollow are now a combined one-million words long!
The developers of Scarlet Hollow announced that the first five episodes of the game now collectively contain one million words. Writing for the planned expansion to Episode 5 is complete, with art production beginning soon. This update includes significant additions and rebalancing to Episode 5, as well as various improvements to earlier episodes to enhance narrative flow and player choice.
New Vegas director Josh Sawyer says games can and should pull on artistic inspirations from 'anywhere and everywhere': 'Greek plays, they knocked it out of the park thousands of years ago—why not look at them?'
Obsidian design director Josh Sawyer believes games should draw artistic inspiration from all sources, including ancient Greek plays and classic films. He emphasizes that the core of game design is evoking thoughts and emotions in players, a goal that should be continually reevaluated throughout the development process. Sawyer cites examples from Fallout: New Vegas, Pentiment, and Pillars of Eternity to illustrate how diverse inspirations can inform mechanics and player experience.
