Frame Narrative

Ludic Narrational Structure cultural · universal

An overarching frame plot contains embedded inner stories. The frame level gives the whole coherence and meaning; the inner stories provide variety and perspectives in a story within a story.

Design question – Who tells the story in your game – and why does the frame story contain these inner stories?

Reference example – Assassin’s Creed: the present in the Animus forms the frame, the historical missions are the inner stories. What Remains of Edith Finch: the family house is the frame, each room tells the story of one family member. Tales of the Arabian Nights: as with Scheherazade, story follows story, and every encounter opens a new episode in the Book of Tales.

Compatible with

• Griot (DU-10) – Cumulative layering.
• Wave (DU-02) – Switching between frame and inner story.