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Games and Storytelling
By Corvus | May 18, 2007
PJ’s Attic has published a white paper titled Games and Storytelling. The white paper describes a storytelling model which our studio developed as a foundation for our game design.
While the model was designed to be inclusive of video games and new media, it also can be used to describe traditional storytelling media such as folkloric oral traditions, music, literature and film.
The model’s development was influenced by the writing of Umberto Eco and Marshal McLuhan, improvisational theater techniques, game design principles and over twenty years experience in designing participatory storytelling experiences.
The paper is available as a free download at PJ’s Attic.
Direct Download: Link
PJ’s Attic Publications Page: Link
PJ’s Attic Official Forum Thread: Link
Of course, you may feel free to leave your comments here as well! Also, please consider using the social bookmark links at the bottom of the post to help us get the word out!
I want to thank all of the people who provided me with feedback while I developed this white paper. Chris Bateman (link) and Christy Dena (link) both challenged me and encouraged me as I worked on the model. Eric von Rothkirch (link) and Marcus Riedner (link) provided me with guy level responses which helped me clarify and strengthen my message. Tim Scheiman (link) and ‘Undercrypt’ (link) provided detailed, line by line feedback which helped me hone the white paper to a level that wouldn’t have been possible without them.
Lastly, but certainly not least(ly), the white paper would never have been possible at all without the staunch support and encouragement of Wayne G. and the unconditional love and support, critical eye, and lightening fast red pen of the incomparable Ms. Z.
Tagged:storytelling. |
May 18th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
Congrats on publishing the paper Corvus. Kudos!
We have comments working on our blog again, so feel free to comment away!
May 19th, 2007 at 9:52 am
Congrats Corvus on taking on the challenge of doing the whitepaper. I have some comments I’d like to add to this latest iteration of your whitepaper. Shall we parlay through email or has the conversation shifted to your blog now?
May 19th, 2007 at 10:42 am
You may comment wherever you feel most comfortable! Odds are it will end up on the blog in the long term anyway, so email would be fine if that’s easiest for you.
May 22nd, 2007 at 1:35 am
You make several useful distinctions, but you don’t give a working definition of “game”. In your model are all Games Narrative?
May 22nd, 2007 at 4:25 am
Yes, the point of the model is that games can be considered a narrative form just like books, movies and music. Everything from chess to Grand Theft Auto is a narrative.
May 22nd, 2007 at 6:51 am
Shouldn’t you place links to the white paper in your sidebar where it can be easily found?
Best wishes!
June 27th, 2007 at 8:24 am
[...] has put online a lengthy document on Games and Storytelling. Anyone interested in the narrative side of games should take a look at it. (Here’s the [...]
June 27th, 2007 at 8:52 am
Welcome Carnival of Game Production visitors! Please be aware that the white paper is a “living” document and is undergoing changes based upon the initial feedback.
Feel free to add PJ’s Attic’s feed to your favorite RSS reader in order to stay current with the latest updates (link)!