Topics in Literature & Media
Topic: Narrative Games: Writing, Designing, & World Building
Class Information
Instructor: Boluk, Stephanie
CRN: 44516
Time: TR 12:10-3:00
Location: Remote Instruction
Description
This small studio class will explore the techniques, methods, and effects of writing for narrative games through a series of playful engagements featuring story-driven software by Brianna Lei, Grace Bruxner, Emily Short, Lucas Pope, Christine Love, and Meg Jayanth to name a few. Focusing on free, text-based game engines like Twine, Inform, and Ren'Py, students will play story-based games and write game-like stories. The first five weeks will follow a "Game-a-Week" model in which students will be introduced to a range of game engines and then produce work using each piece of software. The final weeks of the quarter will be dedicated to a longer-form work in an engine of their choice while continuing to closely play, discuss, and analyze a range of games in order to build literacy in narrative games. No prior knowledge of game engines are needed, but this is course moves at a brisk pace so come prepared to play games, write about games, make games, and provide generous feedback to your colleagues using a range of playtesting approaches.
Goals:
*To develop literacy and familiarity with narrative games through close play and analysis of works made by small teams and independent designers.
*To design narrative games using a variety of introductory game engines
*To playtest and offer constructive feedback on the games made in class
*To iterate on a larger project designed for both public exhibition and online publication