Cumulative Narrative

Ludic Narrational Structure cultural · oral

Stories are introduced, left, taken up again, varied and overlaid. Intensity arises not from sharpening but from accumulation – the web grows denser, the connections more numerous. No finale, but growing complexity.

Design question – What accumulates in your game – and how does the web become legible to players?

Reference example – Dungeons & Dragons: over years, every session adds legends, defeats and turning points to the campaign. EVE Online: wars, alliances and betrayals that players have layered into a shared history over two decades.

Compatible with

• Griot (DU-10) – Direct correspondence: cumulative layering.
• Spiral (DU-05) – Recurring patterns with accumulation.