10-13-2018, 10:00 PM
Video: A design-centric approach to developing characters & stories
<div style="margin: 5px 5% 10px 5%;"><img src="http://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/video-a-design-centric-approach-to-developing-characters-stories.jpg" width="200" height="200" title="" alt="" /></div><div><p>Who is the actor in a game? Is it the person holding the controller in the real world, or the player-character who moves through the game-world?</p>
<p>The answer, at least care of veteran game designer Matthias Worch (<em>Mafia III, Star Wars 1313, Dead Space 2</em>) circa 2011, is both, and the game designer must work carefully to keep the interests of these two consciousnesses aligned.</p>
<p>At GDC 2011, Worch gave a great talk that examines how we reconcile developer-defined and player-derived character identities. Games often feature strong pre-authored characters and story arcs, while trying to give the player the feeling of uninhibited agency. The practical techniques presented by Worch suggest a path to designing stories that don’t simply provide a context for the players actions, but instead create impulses and motivations within the player that are in alignment with those of the avatar. </p>
<p>It was well worth watching, so if you missed it way back in 2011 take advantage of the fact that Worch’s talk has now been made <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bCjollo4ng">freely available on the official GDC YouTube channel!</a></p>
<p>In addition to this presentation, the <a href="http://www.gdcvault.com/">GDC Vault</a> and its accompanying <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0JB7TSe49lg56u6qH8y_MQ/feed">YouTube channel</a> offers numerous other free videos, audio recordings, and slides from many of the recent <a href="http://www.gdconf.com/">Game Developers Conference events</a>, and the service offers even more members-only content for GDC Vault subscribers.</p>
<p>Those who purchased All Access passes to recent events like GDC or VRDC already have full access to GDC Vault, and interested parties can apply for the individual subscription via <a href="http://www.gdcvault.com/inquiry/">a GDC Vault subscription page</a>. Group subscriptions are also available: game-related schools and development studios who sign up for GDC Vault Studio Subscriptions can receive access for their entire office or company by contacting staff via the <a href="http://www.gdcvault.com/demo/">GDC Vault group subscription page</a>. Finally, current subscribers with access issues can <a href="http://www.gdcvault.com/contact_us.php">contact GDC Vault technical support</a>.</p>
<p><em><strong>Gamasutra and GDC are sibling organizations under parent UBM Americas.</strong></em></p>
</div>
<div style="margin: 5px 5% 10px 5%;"><img src="http://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/video-a-design-centric-approach-to-developing-characters-stories.jpg" width="200" height="200" title="" alt="" /></div><div><p>Who is the actor in a game? Is it the person holding the controller in the real world, or the player-character who moves through the game-world?</p>
<p>The answer, at least care of veteran game designer Matthias Worch (<em>Mafia III, Star Wars 1313, Dead Space 2</em>) circa 2011, is both, and the game designer must work carefully to keep the interests of these two consciousnesses aligned.</p>
<p>At GDC 2011, Worch gave a great talk that examines how we reconcile developer-defined and player-derived character identities. Games often feature strong pre-authored characters and story arcs, while trying to give the player the feeling of uninhibited agency. The practical techniques presented by Worch suggest a path to designing stories that don’t simply provide a context for the players actions, but instead create impulses and motivations within the player that are in alignment with those of the avatar. </p>
<p>It was well worth watching, so if you missed it way back in 2011 take advantage of the fact that Worch’s talk has now been made <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bCjollo4ng">freely available on the official GDC YouTube channel!</a></p>
<p>In addition to this presentation, the <a href="http://www.gdcvault.com/">GDC Vault</a> and its accompanying <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0JB7TSe49lg56u6qH8y_MQ/feed">YouTube channel</a> offers numerous other free videos, audio recordings, and slides from many of the recent <a href="http://www.gdconf.com/">Game Developers Conference events</a>, and the service offers even more members-only content for GDC Vault subscribers.</p>
<p>Those who purchased All Access passes to recent events like GDC or VRDC already have full access to GDC Vault, and interested parties can apply for the individual subscription via <a href="http://www.gdcvault.com/inquiry/">a GDC Vault subscription page</a>. Group subscriptions are also available: game-related schools and development studios who sign up for GDC Vault Studio Subscriptions can receive access for their entire office or company by contacting staff via the <a href="http://www.gdcvault.com/demo/">GDC Vault group subscription page</a>. Finally, current subscribers with access issues can <a href="http://www.gdcvault.com/contact_us.php">contact GDC Vault technical support</a>.</p>
<p><em><strong>Gamasutra and GDC are sibling organizations under parent UBM Americas.</strong></em></p>
</div>