Difference between revisions of "Storytelling"
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[[Storytelling]] in games can be done both by [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]] and by [[Entitled Players]]. The stories told do not have to be part of the [[Narration Structures|Narration Structure]] of a [[Game Worlds|Game World]] but can be in several different ways. First, they can be explanations of the history and current state of the [[Alternative Realities|Alternative Reality]] of the [[Game Worlds|Game World]] and this is the typical way [[Storytelling]] is done by [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]] to advance the [[Narration Structures]]. Second, the stories can be part of [[Roleplaying]], either providing backstories for [[Characters]] or the retelling of previous gameplay within a [[Thematic Consistency]]. Providing back stories for [[Characters]] is an area where players usually are allowed [[Creative Control]] regarding [[Storytelling]], even in games with tightly restricted [[Narration Structures]]. Third, the stories can be part of creating and expanding the [[Narration Structures]] rather than unfolding an existing structure, although this requires [[Game Masters]] or [[Self-Facilitated Games]]. | [[Storytelling]] in games can be done both by [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]] and by [[Entitled Players]]. The stories told do not have to be part of the [[Narration Structures|Narration Structure]] of a [[Game Worlds|Game World]] but can be in several different ways. First, they can be explanations of the history and current state of the [[Alternative Realities|Alternative Reality]] of the [[Game Worlds|Game World]] and this is the typical way [[Storytelling]] is done by [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]] to advance the [[Narration Structures]]. Second, the stories can be part of [[Roleplaying]], either providing backstories for [[Characters]] or the retelling of previous gameplay within a [[Thematic Consistency]]. Providing back stories for [[Characters]] is an area where players usually are allowed [[Creative Control]] regarding [[Storytelling]], even in games with tightly restricted [[Narration Structures]]. Third, the stories can be part of creating and expanding the [[Narration Structures]] rather than unfolding an existing structure, although this requires [[Game Masters]] or [[Self-Facilitated Games]]. | ||
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Storytelling by players or Game Masters may be controlled through Turn Taking or be Interruptible Actions. In contrast, the Storytelling done in computer games, for example by Cut Scenes, is a form of Ultra-Powerful Event that cannot be interrupted although they may be skipped. | Storytelling by players or Game Masters may be controlled through Turn Taking or be Interruptible Actions. In contrast, the Storytelling done in computer games, for example by Cut Scenes, is a form of Ultra-Powerful Event that cannot be interrupted although they may be skipped. | ||
| − | + | [[Storytelling]] can emerge spontaneously from games as [[Extra-Game Actions]], for example as [[Bragging]] about results. In this case, [[Storytelling]] passes [[Trans-Game Information]] between players including possibly [[Strategic Knowledge]]. | |
=== Diegetic Aspects === | === Diegetic Aspects === | ||
As [[Storytelling]] is often used to describe series of gameplay events using diegetic terms, it is a [[:Category:Diegetic Patterns|Diegetic Pattern]]. [[Storytelling]] can also be used to explain [[Game Element Insertion]] (e.g. [[Player Created Game Elements]]) so that [[Diegetic Consistency]] is maintained. It can however also use game system concepts, e.g. "the orc took 3 hit points in damage" when describing the effect of an attack in [[Dungeons & Dragons]], and in this case tends to breaks [[Diegetic Consistency]]. | As [[Storytelling]] is often used to describe series of gameplay events using diegetic terms, it is a [[:Category:Diegetic Patterns|Diegetic Pattern]]. [[Storytelling]] can also be used to explain [[Game Element Insertion]] (e.g. [[Player Created Game Elements]]) so that [[Diegetic Consistency]] is maintained. It can however also use game system concepts, e.g. "the orc took 3 hit points in damage" when describing the effect of an attack in [[Dungeons & Dragons]], and in this case tends to breaks [[Diegetic Consistency]]. | ||
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| + | === Interface Aspects === | ||
| + | [[Storytelling]] gives both players and [[Dedicated Game Facilitators]] the possibility to explain [[Extra-Game Information]] in a context which avoids disturbing [[Thematic Consistency]]. | ||
=== Narration Aspects === | === Narration Aspects === | ||
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=== Can Instantiate === | === Can Instantiate === | ||
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[[Game Worlds]], | [[Game Worlds]], | ||
[[Strategic Knowledge]] | [[Strategic Knowledge]] | ||
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[[Storytelling]] and [[Roleplaying]] can instantiate each other. [[Roleplaying]] through [[Enactment]] gives rise to [[Storytelling]] since here players create a story by what their [[Characters]] do. In contrast, describing what their [[Characters]] do is [[Storytelling]] but since this also describes their actions, and sometimes intentions, it create [[Roleplaying]] as a consequence. | [[Storytelling]] and [[Roleplaying]] can instantiate each other. [[Roleplaying]] through [[Enactment]] gives rise to [[Storytelling]] since here players create a story by what their [[Characters]] do. In contrast, describing what their [[Characters]] do is [[Storytelling]] but since this also describes their actions, and sometimes intentions, it create [[Roleplaying]] as a consequence. | ||
| + | The [[Storytelling]] that comes out of the [[Extra-Game Actions]] players do to retell their gameplay is an [[Extra-Game Consequences|Extra-Game Consequence]]. | ||
== Relations == | == Relations == | ||
[[Predetermined Story Structures]] | [[Predetermined Story Structures]] | ||
--- | --- | ||
| − | [[Player Decided Results]], [[Never Ending Stories]], [[Player Constructed Worlds]], | + | [[Player Decided Results]], [[Never Ending Stories]], [[Player Constructed Worlds]], |
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[[Ultra-Powerful Events]] | [[Ultra-Powerful Events]] | ||
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[[Emotional Engrossment]], | [[Emotional Engrossment]], | ||
[[Extra-Game Consequences]], | [[Extra-Game Consequences]], | ||
| + | [[Extra-Game Information]], | ||
[[Freedom of Choice]], | [[Freedom of Choice]], | ||
[[Game Element Insertion]], | [[Game Element Insertion]], | ||
| Line 108: | Line 108: | ||
[[Social Interaction]], | [[Social Interaction]], | ||
[[Strategic Knowledge]], | [[Strategic Knowledge]], | ||
| − | [[Thematic Consistency]] | + | [[Thematic Consistency]], |
| + | [[Trans-Game Information]] | ||
==== with [[Characters]] ==== | ==== with [[Characters]] ==== | ||
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[[Entitled Players]], | [[Entitled Players]], | ||
[[Environmental Storytelling]], | [[Environmental Storytelling]], | ||
| + | [[Extra-Game Actions]], | ||
[[Game Masters]], | [[Game Masters]], | ||
[[Non-Player Help]], | [[Non-Player Help]], | ||
Revision as of 08:11, 13 July 2014
The act of telling stories within the game.
Some games promote players to tell stories within games. This may be retelling of actions and events that players have done, the history of the game world, or part of creating the game world.
Contents
Examples
Once Upon a Time is a card game based around storytelling. Players play cards with story concepts to be allowed to continue the story based upon the narrative started by other players.
The role of game masters in roleplaying games is partly that of storyteller, merging the preplanned events with the actions the players have performed within the Game World. The gameplay in these games is based on Storytelling assisted with background material such as maps and rulebooks.
Sleep is Death is a mediated two-player game where one of the players takes the role of a game master that tells a story to the other player.
Anti-Examples
Using the pattern
Can Be Instantiated By
Characters, Construction, Cutscenes, Environmental Storytelling, Non-Player Help, Player Characters, Roleplaying,
Gossip together with Player Characters
Can Be Modulated By
Storytelling in games can be done both by Dedicated Game Facilitators and by Entitled Players. The stories told do not have to be part of the Narration Structure of a Game World but can be in several different ways. First, they can be explanations of the history and current state of the Alternative Reality of the Game World and this is the typical way Storytelling is done by Dedicated Game Facilitators to advance the Narration Structures. Second, the stories can be part of Roleplaying, either providing backstories for Characters or the retelling of previous gameplay within a Thematic Consistency. Providing back stories for Characters is an area where players usually are allowed Creative Control regarding Storytelling, even in games with tightly restricted Narration Structures. Third, the stories can be part of creating and expanding the Narration Structures rather than unfolding an existing structure, although this requires Game Masters or Self-Facilitated Games.
Storytelling by players or Game Masters may be controlled through Turn Taking or be Interruptible Actions. In contrast, the Storytelling done in computer games, for example by Cut Scenes, is a form of Ultra-Powerful Event that cannot be interrupted although they may be skipped.
Storytelling can emerge spontaneously from games as Extra-Game Actions, for example as Bragging about results. In this case, Storytelling passes Trans-Game Information between players including possibly Strategic Knowledge.
Diegetic Aspects
As Storytelling is often used to describe series of gameplay events using diegetic terms, it is a Diegetic Pattern. Storytelling can also be used to explain Game Element Insertion (e.g. Player Created Game Elements) so that Diegetic Consistency is maintained. It can however also use game system concepts, e.g. "the orc took 3 hit points in damage" when describing the effect of an attack in Dungeons & Dragons, and in this case tends to breaks Diegetic Consistency.
Interface Aspects
Storytelling gives both players and Dedicated Game Facilitators the possibility to explain Extra-Game Information in a context which avoids disturbing Thematic Consistency.
Narration Aspects
Storytelling is a Narration Pattern.
Consequences
Player Decided Results, Never Ending Stories, Player Constructed Worlds, Extra-Game Actions Trans-Game Information, Extra-Game Information Ultra-Powerful Events
Can Instantiate
Game Worlds, Strategic Knowledge
with Game Masters or Self-Facilitated Games
with Game Worlds
Can Modulate
Fudged Results, Persistent Game Worlds,
Storytelling either provides or creates Narration Structures in a game.
When Storytelling is performed by humans, it is a form of Social Interaction that often gives Emotional Engrossment, and being able to tell stories well can give Game-Based Social Statuses and can even be considered part of Game Mastery in games such as Once Upon a Time and Category:Roleplaying Games. Storytelling can give players Creative Control and Freedom of Choice, and in games with Game Masters, these stories can become part Player Constructed Worlds by being Player Decided Results. In Persistent Game Worlds, the stories can have further influence by being part of the development of Never Ending Stories.
Storytelling can be used to frame all actions and events in Game Worlds within the Thematic Consistency of a Alternative Reality, and can visualize Game Worlds and their histories. This often includes Game Element Insertion of some types, and when players or human Game Masters do this it often a form of Player Created Game Elements. Of course, when the storytellers have Creative Control they may also ruin the Thematic Consistency by introducing unfitting objects or events or by making Characters do actions that does not fit their personality or competences.
Storytelling and Roleplaying can instantiate each other. Roleplaying through Enactment gives rise to Storytelling since here players create a story by what their Characters do. In contrast, describing what their Characters do is Storytelling but since this also describes their actions, and sometimes intentions, it create Roleplaying as a consequence.
The Storytelling that comes out of the Extra-Game Actions players do to retell their gameplay is an Extra-Game Consequence.
Relations
Predetermined Story Structures
--- Player Decided Results, Never Ending Stories, Player Constructed Worlds,
Can Instantiate
Alternative Realities, Creative Control, Emotional Engrossment, Extra-Game Consequences, Extra-Game Information, Freedom of Choice, Game Element Insertion, Game Mastery, Game Worlds, Game-Based Social Statuses, Narration Structures, Player Created Game Elements, Social Interaction, Strategic Knowledge, Thematic Consistency, Trans-Game Information
with Characters
with Game Masters or Self-Facilitated Games
with Game Worlds
Can Modulate
Fudged Results, Game Element Insertion, Game Worlds, Persistent Game Worlds, Player Created Game Elements
Can Be Instantiated By
Characters, Construction, Cutscenes, Dedicated Game Facilitators, Entitled Players, Environmental Storytelling, Extra-Game Actions, Game Masters, Non-Player Help, Player Characters, Self-Facilitated Games,
Enactment together with Roleplaying
Gossip together with Player Characters
Can Be Modulated By
Possible Closure Effects
-
Potentially Conflicting With
Diegetic Consistency, Thematic Consistency
History
An updated version of the pattern Storytelling that was part of the original collection in the book Patterns in Game Design[1].
References
- ↑ Björk, S. & Holopainen, J. (2004) Patterns in Game Design. Charles River Media. ISBN1-58450-354-8.
Acknowledgements
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