Choose your adventure: the exciting world of non-linear storytelling in games

Think of a video game story like a thrilling adventure through a forest. In linear stories, it’s a straight path — you follow the trail, see the sights, and reach the end. But in non-linear stories, it’s a whole forest of possibilities! You can wander off the path, explore hidden areas, or even create new trails. This freedom lets players shape their own adventures, making each game play unique. In this vast forest of non-linear storytelling, we find three intriguing types of paths: branching, foldback, and emergent narratives. Each offers a different way to explore and experience the game’s world. Let’s find out more!

Branching stories.

Each circle is a place where the story can change direction. The arrows show the paths the story can take, like how a player moves from one part of the story to the next.

Branching stories in games offer players a variety of choices that lead to different narrative paths. Each decision a player makes can branch out into a new direction, creating a complex web of possible outcomes. While this structure provides a sense of freedom and agency, it’s challenging for developers due to the combinatorial explosion — the need to create content for each possible path. This complexity often leads to a limited number of actual branches in modern games.

Foldback stories.

Each circle is a place where the story can change direction. The arrows show the paths the story can take, like how a player moves from one part of the story to the next.

Foldback stories guide players through a series of choices that, despite their variety, converge at predetermined plot points. This approach offers players a sense of agency in their choices, but ultimately steers them towards key narrative events. It’s a more manageable structure for developers, as it requires fewer unique storylines than branching narratives.

Emergent narratives.

Emergent narratives, as seen in games like “The Sims,” are unique in that they don’t have a pre-planned story. Instead, the narrative emerges spontaneously from player actions and in-game events. This structure offers the highest level of freedom, where players essentially create their own stories. However, it poses significant challenges for developers, as it requires sophisticated game mechanics that can generate coherent and engaging stories on the fly.

Whether it’s choosing your path, returning to key events, or creating a story on the go, these methods bring the game world to life. For game designers, the challenge is to balance the thrill of choice with a story that always feels complete and engaging, ensuring every adventure, no matter how it’s told, is one worth taking.

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