Game On: 6 tips for choice design in branching scenarios - Issuu
Miranda Verswijvelen's article for Dirtyword magazine on choice design in branching scenarios. Lots of tips here based on designing game narratives and interactive fiction. I disagree with her point about not starting with the ideal path for writing (although she acknowledges that may make sense for beginners when you're learning how to write scenarios). For game design, I think she's right. For training design, there is typically an ideal path we want people to take. Good to read some thoughtful criticism though, and I love Miranda's work.
Excellent choice design will increase the engagement of your learners in the story, intrigue them about consequences and entice them to replay to check out other paths.
Choices in branching scenarios consist of three closely interconnected parts:Framing: the information the learner uses to make the choiceOptions: the possible choicesOutcomes: what happens due to choosing one of the options.
Choices can offer diverse acceptable ways to achieve the same goal, giving learners opportunity to personalise the experience.
An extra path can also replace boring “try again” situations: the consequence shows your choice was not ideal, but you simply continue and get another chance further in the story to make a better informed, similar choice.
Clear and confined parameters help to make the choice feel integral to the context, while still leaving room for personal expression and emotional connection.
One of my favourite narrative designers, Jon Ingold from Inkle Studios, introduced the accept – reject – deflect model. For example, in a conversational choice where someone asks you a question, this could mean the following:Accept: continue the current conversation, e.g. simply answer the questionReject: react negatively or refuse to answer. Deflect: change the topic, e.g. ignore, bounce a question back or refocus attention
