1. Chapter 3 Story Composition
December 15, 2016

2. Today’s Agenda: Review Chapter 3 – pages 87 to 98.
Worksheet! Turn in for credit.
Exit Ticket!

3. Objectives: (Pages 87 to 98)
Students will learn when to add a story to a video game.
Students will learn how to outline the basic creative writing procedures.
I love to write stories!

4. To Add or Not to Add a Story………………. This is the question!
Illustrates a series of events that describe the process of a character resolving a problem or conflict.
A plot:
Is the plan or map for the story.
Not every game tells a story! Does every game needs a story? What do you think? …………………..
Can you think of when a game did not need a story? Think……………..
Hint: Pong and Break out ?????
First game to add a story was Donkey Kong. Your goal was to rescue Princess Peach from Donkey Kong…..Remember!

5. To Add or Not to Add a Story……………….
Rules:
Not all games need a story.
Sports game do not tell a story for the player to connect to the game.
Most games must have a story for the player to connect to the game.
A Role playing game (RPG) depends on a story to motivate the player to undertake quests and seek higher player status.
Remember: Adding a story to the game should fit within the gameplay and add to the entertainment.

6. FIVE reasons why to add a story to a game:
Add entertainment to the game.
Define the audience.
Keep player attention.
Differentiate the game.
Integrate with marketing.

7. 1. Add Entertainment to the Game
A story that allows the player to feel a sense of progression as problems are solved through gameplay adds to the entertainment value of the game.
Without this:
The game may seem repetitive or meaningless.
Why play the game to the end?

8. 2. Define the Audience
You need a good story so that you can make your game appealing to a audience of players!
Younger players may like a simple gameplay.
Older players may need a strong story line so they can better connect with the player character.
Games are rated based on their story line.
Teen (T)
Mature (M)
Adult only (AO)
The story helps define for whom the game is designed.

9. 3. Keep Player Attention
Is needed to keep player’s attention so that he will finish!
Need to motivate player.
Game can become boring!.....
Player may feel it was not worth the price to purchase the game….problem!
Example:
Call of Duty
Take several days to complete….needs a good story line
Missions!
Player may encounter other players to keep the game going.

10. 4. Differentiate the Game
A strong character and story will help buyers decide which game is best for them.
Important for games in a series to have different stories.
Example:
Halo!
Each game in the series tells a new part of the larger story like a chapter in a book.
Without this story why purchase new Halo games?

11. 5. Integrate with Marketing
May need the use of a story or character to help publicize the game.
Attention grabbing storylines and familiar characters help get the buyer’s attention.
Examples:
Mario Kart
Gears of War

12. Creative Writing You must come up with a good story!
Is developing a work of fiction that tells a story with characters, places, and events.
A good story has:
Rising action – is the events that create the basic internal conflict of the story.
Climax – is the turning point of the story.
Falling action – is the events that lead to the resolution of the basic conflict of the story.

13. Creative writing: Six Basic procedure: Brainstorm ideas
Determine the central premise
Define the characters
Create a primary conflict
Structure the story
Develop an ending point

14. #1 Brainstorming ideas:
Definition: Is recording as many ideas as possible without sorting, editing, or eliminating any of the ideas.
Just write down things as you think of them!
Even if your ideas sound silly write them down.

15. #2 Determine the central premise:
Is the basic idea or situation of the story.
Now is the time to sort your ideas.
Get rid of the bad ones and keep the good ones.
Really think about the list of good ideas.
Central premise provides motivation.
Moral: is a lesson to be learned. Myths and legends communicate the right thing to do.

16. #3 Define the characters:
You will need to decide if the characters are to be:
Round characters: develop and change throughout the story. They are the most interesting in your story. Can lead to an emotional connection for the player.
Flat characters: do not develop or change throughout the story. These are stock or stereotype characters. No connection is made with the player.
Stock characters: have standard traits and perform a standard role. Like a policeman, soldier, medic – they perform a standard role.
Stereotyped characters: perform a standard game role. Might be a member of private crew.

17. #4 Create a Primary Conflict:
There needs to be a conflict!
Makes a story a story.
Makes your story interesting.
It connects the player to the game and that is what keeps them going.
Put the character in a situation that has risk.
The greater the reward, the greater the risk the character should experience.

18. #5 Structured the story:
Your story needs to be structured with a dramatic tension built into it.
Dramatic tension: is a feeling of anxiety or anticipation related to the story being told.
A simple story will have a single conflict, climax, and resolution.

19. #6 Develop an Ending Point:
When the conflict is finished, the game is over!
Conflicts need to be resolved.
Game is over.

20. For today: Finish Chapter 3 Worksheets! Exit ticket:
Recall a story, myth, or legend that you know. Identify and summarize the moral of that story. Why do you think this story was created?
Turn in before you leave for credit.

21. Objective: Determine when to add a story to a video game.
Instructions:
Go to
Open your textbook to chapter 3. Read pages Answer the following questions:
Define brainstorming. Why is it important not to judge responses during brainstorming?
Define moral. Why would myths and legends include morals?
Compare and contrast round and flat characters.
Describe how rising action, a climax, and falling action are used to move the story.
Objective: Determine when to add a story to a video game.
Today: Page 113/114
Review Questions!
Worksheet! If you don’t
have a worksheet, come and get one!
Exercise 3 on page 115.
Type your paper in WORD. Print out your work and turn in for a grade.
Round Characters:
Flat Characters:
Compare:
Contrast:
Exercise 3 on page 115.
Type your paper in WORD. Print out your work and turn in for a grade.
Remember: All old work due by Monday, Dec. 19th