Designers and developers need to be able to think like storytellers. – Emily Ronan

As a game development team, its the primary objective is to create an entertaining experience for the player. But, 80% of all games abandoned by players before they reach the end.

A strong narrative threads at the heart. The lack of it makes the actions performed by the player as the character becomes meaningless. A strong story in a video game makes the gaming experience that much more unforgettable. “Why do I have to kill this enemy?” “Why do I have to speak to him?” “Why do I have to sneak in the building to collect the book?” The Whys are the reasonings that compels the player to perform tasks and makes the actions he performs valid and valuable.

A basic understanding of story genre and the acts in the narrative structure will enhance every stage of developing the game – pacing, game verbs, player choices, setting and character design.

Destroying all the obstacles with slingshot using stones could fun but it doesn’t have a meaning. A plot with pigs as enemies and stealing the eggs of birds. Changing stones into Birds and the obstacles into the enemies’ place with them on it. Now, there is narrative engagement with value to action the player performs.

This doesn’t mean that mad mechanics can be covered with a good plot. A mechanic can made much more engaging by adding value and attachment to it using the emotion that runs in the plot.

Heist Against Heretics in based around a cultist group trying to take over the world with the player as a spy trying to stop before things get out of hand. We aim to make it in a way that the narrative engages with the actions of the player and reflects with the choices the player makes.

Posted by
Ashwin
Level Designer
To know more about the games, Check out our project! https://purplanestudio.itch.io/heist-against-heretics