Experimenting with Narrative Flow
Non-Linear Narrative Experiments
This week focused on testing alternative narrative structures. Instead of a purely linear progression, I explored branching pathways that allow players to experience the story in different orders while maintaining thematic coherence.
Experiment Setup
The test involved three different narrative entry points:
- Chronological - Traditional beginning-to-end progression
- Thematic - Ordered by emotional beats rather than timeline
- Player-Driven - Player agency determines pacing
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Results
Early feedback indicates that player-driven structure creates the strongest engagement. Players reported feeling more agency in narrative discovery. However, some players found the non-linear approach confusing without proper environmental cues.
Takeaways
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The next iteration will implement clearer waymarkers to guide player understanding of narrative structure without limiting agency.