Interactive Narrative for Game Design
Master the art of creating compelling interactive narratives and branching storylines for video games through hands-on experience with industry tools.
Master the art of creating compelling interactive narratives and branching storylines for video games through hands-on experience with industry tools.
This comprehensive course explores the unique aspects of interactive storytelling in video games. Students learn to craft meaningful player choices and manage branching narratives through practical techniques like pinch points, bottlenecking, and story silos. The curriculum covers essential elements from basic choice mechanics to advanced dialogue systems, culminating in hands-on experience with narrative generation tools. Verified learners gain additional access to industry interviews and join a community of game writers. The course emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical application, teaching participants how to create engaging interactive stories while managing development resources efficiently.
Instructors:
English
English
Powered by
What you'll learn
Learn to differentiate between game choices and traditional narrative choices
Master the principles of branching narrative and its impact on gameplay
Develop compelling stakes and consequences in interactive storytelling
Create and manage complex branching plots effectively
Implement interactive narrative systems using industry tools
Design engaging character dialogues for non-linear storytelling
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
PreRecorded video
Graded assignments, Exams
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
Limited Access access
Shareable certificate
Closed caption
Get a Completion Certificate
Share your certificate with prospective employers and your professional network on LinkedIn.
Created by
Provided by
Top companies offer this course to their employees
Top companies provide this course to enhance their employees' skills, ensuring they excel in handling complex projects and drive organizational success.
There are 5 modules in this course
The course delves into the fundamental aspects of interactive narrative design for video games. Students explore how player choice differs from traditional storytelling, learning to create meaningful decisions with real consequences. The curriculum covers branching narrative structures, character development, dialogue systems, and practical tools for implementation. Through hands-on projects, participants learn to manage complex narrative structures while maintaining engaging storytelling. The course emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical application, using industry-standard tools to create interactive stories.
Choice in Games
Module 1
Structuring Choice
Module 2
Characters & Dialogue in Branching Narrative
Module 3
Using the Tools
Module 4
Your Interactive Project
Module 5
Fee Structure
Instructors
12 Courses
A Versatile Writer Bridging Video Games and Theatre
Peter Boychuk serves as an Adjunct Professor at UBC's School of Creative Writing, where he teaches Writing for Video Games while maintaining an active career as a Senior Writer at Respawn Entertainment. After earning his MFA in Writing from the University of Victoria, he has built an impressive career spanning video game narrative design and playwriting. His video game credits include leading narrative roles on major titles such as MARVEL's Dimension of Heroes for Disney, Freediver: Triton Down, Evasion, and Dead Rising 4 for Capcom. As a playwright, he has created notable works including "Jesus Freak" for Pacific Theatre, "Fritters in Kandahar" at Lunchbox Theatre, and "L'Élection" for Théâtre la Seizième, with his play "Afterglow" published in the anthology "Two Hands Clapping" by Signature Editions. His expertise in interactive storytelling has led him to develop and teach courses at UBC, including the Video Game Writing Essentials program, where he helps students understand the unique challenges of writing for interactive media while bridging the gap between traditional narrative forms and emerging digital storytelling.
12 Courses
A Pioneering Literary Educator and Science Fiction Author
Andrew Gray serves as Program Coordinator at the University of British Columbia's Creative Writing Program, where he has made significant contributions to both traditional and digital education initiatives. Born in 1968 in Scotland before immigrating to Canada, he completed his MFA at UBC in 1996 and has since built an impressive career combining literary achievement with educational innovation. As the founder of UBC's Optional-Residency MFA Program and a key developer of the Video Game Writing Certificate, he has helped shape the future of creative writing education. His literary work spans both traditional and speculative fiction, with his short story collection "Small Accidents" earning nominations for the Ethel Wilson Award and IPPY Independent Publisher's Award. His writing has appeared in prestigious publications including Prairie Fire, Event, Grain, and Fiddlehead, while his science fiction novella "The Ghost Line," co-authored with J.S. Herbison, was published by Tor in 2017. In his current role, he coordinates educational technology support and develops new programs within Creative Writing, including non-credit courses, while continuing to provide learner support for the Video Game Writing Certificate program.
Testimonials
Testimonials and success stories are a testament to the quality of this program and its impact on your career and learning journey. Be the first to help others make an informed decision by sharing your review of the course.
Frequently asked questions
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about this course. We aim to provide clear and concise answers to help you better understand the course content, structure, and any other relevant information. If you have any additional questions or if your question is not listed here, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team for further assistance.