Narrative Design
Ongoing coverage on Narrative Design.
Latest coverage
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced director has teased more on cut modern-day sections - and it got me thinking
Ubisoft's upcoming remake of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, titled Resynced, will feature a new narrative for its modern-day sections, according to design director Julien Koch. While the original game's modern-day segments focused on Abstergo's search for First Civilization artifacts, the remake will explore different narrative threads, potentially delving deeper into protagonist Edward Kenway's internal struggles. The game is set to release on July 9, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Witcher 3's heaviest scene stunned its devs into silence, but Cyberpunk 2's associate director says it was crucial for 'understanding the craft' of quest design
Paweł Sasko, associate director on Cyberpunk 2 and former lead quest designer for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, discussed the impact of Vesemir's death scene on developers. He stated that the scene, which stunned the development team into silence, was crucial for understanding the craft of quest and narrative design. Sasko also mentioned that he enjoyed working on such impactful moments.
Hopetown Drops Gameplay Teaser And Reveals Additional Disco Elysium Alumni
Longdue has released a new gameplay teaser for their upcoming RPG Hopetown, which features investigation and publishing mechanics. The studio also announced that Olga Moskvina, a writer and editor from Disco Elysium, has joined the development team, alongside other former ZA/UM members. A limited 'Newsflash' edition of the game is available for pre-order on Kickstarter until May 29th.
Struggling Witcher spinoff brings acclaimed Destiny 2 narrative veteran onboard as new lead writer
Kwan Perng, formerly of Bungie where he served as narrative lead for Destiny 2's The Final Shape, has been hired as the new lead writer for Project Sirius, a Witcher spinoff game. Perng announced his move to CD Projekt's troubled project, which has undergone several reboots since its initial announcement. He expressed excitement about working in The Witcher universe, though details about the game remain scarce.
Looks like The Witcher 4 work isn't holding back multiplayer spinoff Project Sirius — it just picked up the narrative lead of one of Destiny 2's best expansions
Kwan Perng, formerly the narrative lead for Destiny 2: The Final Shape, has been appointed as the lead writer for CD Projekt Red's multiplayer Witcher spin-off, Project Sirius. Perng announced his new role on LinkedIn, expressing his immersion in The Witcher universe. This hiring suggests that development on Project Sirius is progressing, even as CD Projekt Red prioritizes The Witcher 4.
Narrative lead of Destiny 2's best expansion joins The Witcher multiplayer game Project Sirius at CD Projekt Red
Kwan Perng, a narrative lead on Destiny 2's The Final Shape expansion, has joined CD Projekt Red as the lead writer for the upcoming multiplayer game, Project Sirius. Perng previously worked on Destiny 2 expansions and Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons. Project Sirius is one of several Witcher-related projects in development at CD Projekt Red.
CD Projekt RED’s Project Sirius Recruits Destiny 2: The Final Shape Narrative Lead
Kwan Perng, known for his narrative work on Destiny 2: The Final Shape, has joined CD Projekt RED's Boston team as lead writer for Project Sirius, a multiplayer spin-off of The Witcher. Perng's hiring suggests potential progress for the project, which has faced development challenges and a significant reboot. While details remain scarce, his involvement indicates a renewed focus on storytelling within The Witcher universe for Project Sirius.
Still With Me, Dear Reader?
Rue Valley is a narrative-driven game that explores themes of mental health and personal tragedy through a unique time-loop mechanic, standing apart from games like Disco Elysium. Despite clunky game design, its empathetic approach to character development and its 47-minute in-game loop offer a resonant experience for players grappling with similar challenges. The article recommends the game for its strong writing and encourages players to seek mental health resources if needed.
What we've been playing - "Asking what the point of playing it is would be like asking why you should bother seasoning a meal"
Several writers share their recent gaming experiences. Victoria recounts her daughter's first Zelda dungeon completion in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom on Nintendo Switch. Bertie discusses Heroes of Might & Magic: The Olden Era and Slay the Spire 2, while Chris offers further thoughts on Mixtape for PC and Steam Deck. Connor is enjoying Directive 8020 on PlayStation 5.
6 Story Games for Players Who Don't Want to Talk | TAG
This article highlights six story-driven games that do not require dialogue choices or role-playing, catering to players seeking a narrative experience without conversational effort. Titles like Journey, Cocoon, Inside, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, Return of the Obra Dinn, and Outer Wilds are discussed for their unique methods of storytelling through environment, music, and observation, with many also being compatible with handheld devices like the Steam Deck.
Steam Machine and Switch 2 aren't "massive technological upgrades," says BioShock creator – but they prove we've hit "diminishing returns" with cutting-edge graphics tech
BioShock creator Ken Levine believes that focusing on cutting-edge graphics technology leads to diminishing returns and doesn't age as well as stylistic choices. He argues that platforms like the Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Machine are not massive technological upgrades, and that strong art direction is more important than being on the technological cutting edge. Levine also stated that his upcoming game, Judas, will prioritize narrative design over CPU intensity.
"I can only tip my hat to those guys" - BioShock creator Kevin Levine praises Baldur's Gate 3 amid fresh talk about his ambitious plans for next game Judas
BioShock creator Ken Levine praised Larian Studios' Baldur's Gate 3 for its complex narrative engineering, drawing parallels to the challenges his studio faces with the upcoming immersive sim Judas. Levine highlighted that while Baldur's Gate 3 wasn't technologically demanding, its intricate branching narrative required immense organizational effort. He also shared his views on ultra-realism in games, suggesting that effective art direction can be more impactful than cutting-edge technology.
Should you send a distress call or warning in Directive 8020?
This guide for Directive 8020 clarifies that the choice between sending a distress call or a warning does not significantly impact the overall story outcome, only resulting in two different cutscenes. While the narrative suggests a major consequence, the decision ultimately has minimal effect on the game's progression, regardless of which characters are alive to make the call.
Morning Multiplex
This article highlights trailers for the games 'Just Eat Sushi!' and 'Life Below', alongside a developer Q&A with Rhianna Pratchett discussing narrative design for 'Life Below'. It also briefly mentions facial cues in games as discussed by Viva La Dirt League.
MAC 2026 Announces Ken Levine, Yoko Taro and Jeff Gomez for One-Day Online Conference on Interactive Storytelling
The Modern Audience Conference (MAC) 2026 will host an online event on May 20, 2026, focusing on interactive storytelling in games and media. Featured speakers include Ken Levine, Yoko Taro, and Jeff Gomez, who will discuss practical insights into crafting engaging narratives and pushing genre boundaries. The conference aims to counter generic content by highlighting bold and human-centric storytelling approaches across various platforms.
RHIANNA PRATCHETT DELVES INTO THE NARRATIVE OF UNDERWATER CITY BUILDER LIFE BELOW
Megapop has released a new developer video for their upcoming underwater city builder, Life Below, featuring writer Rhianna Pratchett discussing the game's narrative design. Pratchett explains how the game uses subtle environmental storytelling and character relationships to convey themes of hope and dealing with consequences. Life Below is set to release on May 26, 2026, for PC via Steam.
‘Halo Next’ reportedly in development at Halo Studios, promising an accessible story that appeals to both veterans and rookies
A new Halo game, codenamed 'Halo Next,' is reportedly in development at Halo Studios, aiming for a story accessible to both new and veteran players. The title, which may be a direct sequel to Halo Infinite and focus on the Endless, is seeking a Narrative Design Director to ensure an emotionally satisfying campaign. This information comes from reports by Rebs Gaming and job listings posted by Microsoft.
A Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight interview with TT Games Cinematics Director Bob Scott
TT Games Cinematics Director Bob Scott discusses the narrative focus and fan service in the upcoming Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. He highlights the game's evolution from previous titles, its approach to balancing mature themes for older fans with accessibility for children, and the extensive customization options available. The game is set to release on May 22nd for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
007 First Light Isn’t Getting a Demo and Won’t Feature Multiple Endings
IO Interactive confirmed that 007 First Light will not receive a demo prior to its May 27th launch on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC. The studio also stated that the game will feature a single, predetermined ending, with no plans for multiple story outcomes. A Nintendo Switch version has been delayed to later this summer.
Attack on Titan creator says he was "immature and foolish" when writing the ending for one particular…
Attack on Titan creator Hajime Isayama expressed regret over the manga's ending, attributing protagonist Eren Yeager's actions to his own immaturity and a desire for a twist. He feels the depiction of Eren lacked sincerity due to his own sympathy for the character, despite Eren's mass slaughter.
