Branching Narrative

Ludic Pattern (named combination) interactive · interactive

At defined points the agent makes decisions that determine the further course of the narrative. Different paths lead to different developments and/or endings. The fundamental interactive Ludic Narrational Structure innovation: the story is not one but many.

Design question – Which decisions really count – and do players notice the difference?

Reference example – Lone Wolf (gamebook): at the end of every section you decide at which number the story continues. The Walking Dead (Telltale): decisions under time pressure, and the game remembers who did what.

Compatible with

• Pulse (DU-07) – Fast micro-decisions at branch points (cf. Ductus).

Consists of

• Ludic Narrational Structure (ludic-narrational-structure) – The narrative framework: several courses and endings.
• Selection (MEC-07) – The decision points: the choice among the options determines the further course.