Development of a Game with Ambiguous Narrative

Abstract

Nowadays, narrative is a key element in most video games since it adds depth and meaning to the gaming experience. It can enhance the immersion of the player in the gameworld and help create emotional connections to the characters and events. A wellcrafted narrative can also create a sense of purpose and motivation for the player to progress through the game. It can also serve as a tool to convey important themes and messages, as well as provide a sense of closure and satisfaction when the game is completed. Moreover, complex narratives not only create a memorable and engaging video game experience but also provide the game with multiple layers, deep character development, and various plot twists that keep the player engaged and immersed in the game world. It often involves non-linear storytelling, allowing the player to make choices that affect the outcome of the game’s story. A complex narrative also involves themes that can be interpreted in multiple ways, creating a more nuanced and thought-provoking experience for the player. It can be a challenging and rewarding experience for players who seek a deeper and more meaningful engagement with video game storytelling. A complex narrative in video games is typically characterised by having multiple storylines, branching paths, and non-linear storytelling. It involves elements such as player choice, consequences, and multiple endings that can affect the overall narrative. The complexity can also come from the depth of the story and characters, the use of symbolism and metaphor, and the integration of gameplay mechanics into the narrative. In this project in particular, my goal is to incorporate a non-linear narrative that diverges towards the end, with visual metaphors and narrative mechanics. The final product results is a short demonstration (30 minutes) of a game called Aisling that implements these features. The main plot revolves around Rito, a young adult that wants to remember their childhood friend in order to reach her once again. The player must explore Rito’s memories throughout three key locations in Rito’s past: a FOREST, a SCHOOL, and an APARTMENT COMPLEX; to gather memories sorted in a non-linear way. There are three narrative mechanics where the player can obtain more insight into Rito’s friend’s past. In the end, after acknowledging the truth, the player can choose whether to stay in the memories with their friend, or move on. However, this is not as explicit as it is explained here, it is up to the player to interpret all of the elements.