California Institute of Arts
Story and Narrative Development for Video Games
This course examines how storytelling acts as a vital mechanism for driving video gameplay forward.| Length | 1 to 3 months |
| Effort | 3 hours per week |
| Price | Free |
| Subject | Design, Art |
| Level | Beginner |
| Languages | English |
| Video Transcripts | English, Spanish, Chinese |
About this course
In this course, you will examine how storytelling acts as a vital mechanism for driving video gameplay forward. Looking at several historical and contemporary games, you will be asked to evaluate and interpret different story styles with the goal of identifying themes and procedures for your own game ideas. We'll examine traditional narrative story processes, such as three-act structure, and how they fit into game story flows and the strategic elements of gameplay. Ultimately, you will learn how to define character, setting, and structure to create a compelling game concept.
In this course, you will examine how storytelling acts as a vital mechanism for driving video gameplay forward. Looking at several historical and contemporary games, you will be asked to evaluate and interpret different story styles with the goal of identifying themes and procedures for your own game ideas. We'll examine traditional narrative story processes, such as three-act structure, and how they fit into game story flows and the strategic elements of gameplay. Ultimately, you will learn how to define character, setting, and structure to create a compelling game concept.
What you'll learn
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Interactive Storytelling
Game story structure
Three-act structure
Video Game Design
Course syllabus
Week 1: An Introduction to Story
Week 2: Game Story Structure
Week 3: Story Workshop
Week 4: From Story to Game
Meet the instructors
Dariush Derakhshani
Faculty, Character Animation
School of Film/Video