Evan Skolnick’s Video Game Storytelling is a practical and accessible guide that bridges the gap between narrative theory and game development. Written for developers of all disciplines—not just writers—it explains how to build better stories by understanding narrative structure, character, theme, and the collaborative process of game production.
Key Sections & Themes
1️⃣ The Basics of Narrative Structure
- Introduces classic 3-act structure: Setup, Confrontation, and Resolution.
- Teaches developers how to identify and support story arcs within gameplay.
2️⃣ Story Elements and Terminology
- Defines core concepts: protagonist, antagonist, inciting incident, climax, and turning points.
- Emphasizes that understanding narrative vocabulary helps cross-team communication.
3️⃣ Character Development for Games
- Strong characters have goals, flaws, and growth paths—even in gameplay-heavy genres.
- Players connect with protagonists through empathy, agency, and consistency.
4️⃣ Integrating Story and Gameplay
- Encourages tight coupling between narrative beats and game mechanics.
- Thematic alignment (e.g., mechanics reinforcing story themes) enhances immersion.
5️⃣ The Role of Different Teams in Storytelling
- Writers, designers, programmers, artists, and audio engineers all contribute to narrative.
- Storytelling is a team effort—everyone must understand how to reinforce the central narrative.
6️⃣ Dialogue and Cutscene Writing
- Offers best practices for natural, purposeful in-game dialogue.
- Advocates for cinematic economy—shorter, snappier scenes that respect player agency.
7️⃣ Branching and Nonlinear Narratives
- Discusses how choice-driven storytelling can enhance replayability and emotional depth.
- Balances player freedom with narrative coherence.
8️⃣ Narrative Tools and Documentation
- Introduces tools like story bibles, beat charts, and branching flow diagrams.
- Structured documentation supports consistency, especially on larger teams.
9️⃣ Genre-Specific Storytelling
- Breaks down storytelling strategies across genres like RPGs, shooters, platformers, and horror.
- Each genre carries unique narrative opportunities and challenges.
🔟 Case Studies and Industry Examples
- Cites games like BioShock, The Last of Us, Mass Effect, and Uncharted to illustrate points.
- Offers real-world insights into what worked, what didn’t, and why.
Conclusion
Video Game Storytelling is a concise yet powerful guide for weaving narrative into the heart of game design. Evan Skolnick shows that story isn’t a layer—it’s a framework that gives games emotional weight and player meaning. With its clear breakdowns and team-oriented advice, this book empowers all game developers—not just writers—to contribute to rich, compelling storytelling experiences.