Dramatic Elements Premise When you write a story it needs to be about something. That something is the premise. It’s the central idea, an intriguing set-up or a situation that makes people want to read or watch further.

Dramatic Elements These dramatic elements make a game enjoyable. Challenge - Play – Premise - set forth beforehand, often as an explanation Character – Story -

What is a Premise? Time and place The main characters The main objective Actions that propel the story forward

Premise Premise establishes the action of the game within a setting or virtual world. Premise makes the game less abstract and easier to understand. Rather than shooting at abstract blocks, players shoot aliens. Premise helps the players connect emotionally to the game. Players identify with game characters and location. A interesting premise can help sell a game.

Examples of Game Premise Space Invaders – the game is set on a planet, perhaps Earth, which is attacked by aliens. Players are responsible for defending the planet from the invaders. Pitfall – a game set in the deep recesses of a forbidden jungle. Pitfall Harry, a jungle explorer, tries to find hidden treasure while avoiding hazards like holes, crocodiles, and quicksand. Myst – the game is set on a deserted island filled with mechanical artifacts and puzzles. Players have no knowledge of Myst Island and the game begins with an encounter with two brothers trapped in magical books.

Ingredients of a Good Premise brief: 25 – 35 words max provocative with an idea that jumps out at you gets you passionate about the idea framed as an interesting ‘what if…?’ contains a character, a conflict and a hook reveals a larger world with universal appeal in the present tense easily understood by a 15 year old the same as other stories but different

Understanding Premise Time and place The main characters The main objective Actions that propel the story forward The premise of the movie Groundhog Day (1993): ‘what if you lived the same day over and over again?’ Write the premise beside each story. Star Wars The Fellowship of the Ring Die Hard

Premise Example The title: Wide Awake The premise: A narcoleptic lab researcher is part of a team that discovers a drug that can cure her condition… She uncovers a conspiracy that endangers her life and sends her on the run. She manages to stay one step ahead of her pursuers while desperately trying to stay awake. She must figure out who is behind the sabotage and why, while fighting off increasing hallucinations

Shrek III Premice The premise -- Prince Charming is recruiting an army of fairy-tale villains to take over the Kingdom of Far, Far Away while Shrek tries to bring the young King Arthur to its throne