Theoretical background on video game narrative structure and techniques

This paper intends to give an overview on the conception and design of video games, based on a narrative structure and techniques, as fundamental step in game design process. In traditional media such as literature and cinema, the concept of narrative and the narrative structure has been widely discussed. Nevertheless, this traditional theories of narratology do not encompass the additional components of video games such as interactivity and gameplay characteristics, which should be integrated in the narrative structure. Thus, this paper intends to structure a methodology for convening story, interactivity and gameplay creating a narrative structure that is specific for this new medium. In this regard, the debate between ludologists and narratologists will be outlined with the intend to understand the specific characteristics of this new medium compared to traditional communication media. In addition, this paper will present a theoretical overview on player’s behavior within the game space and their role in shaping the narrative process. This can offer a lot of freedom and the possibility for the player, to change or recreate the story, by having the narrative control. Finally, research will a present a classification of narrative models and techniques considering different game types. This paper concluded that video games as a contemporary narrative media resemble to the traditional media in many aspects, but their narrative structure is highly influenced by the present of interactivity and game rules.