Tools for Creating Dramatic Game Dynamics

Players interact with the Drama in games, giving them the tools to create the Drama.

Games and Story:

Games can create situation, where players appear to be making up the narrative making the story from the choices the player makes. Situation - Conflict Situation.

'We cannot create drama, we create the circumstances out of which drama will emerge'.

Looking at the Dramatic Narrative Graph, it starts with Conflict the Conflict needs to build and build until it has hit it's Climax then down to Resolution. Extreme Tension, Uncertainty and Inevitability theses are what the Climax needs to give the player drama. The Resolution time is low because you don't want the player waiting for the ending of a game to happen after the Climax.

Feedback system:

Real and Illusory. This changes the system and dynamic itself, for example giving the loosing player a boost to catch up with the winning player.

Positive: Give you a boost when you are ahead.
Negative: Create tension and rebalance the game.