2.  Act I - Introduction of the problem (Where is the Princess?)  Act II - Overcoming the problem (The princess is in another castle!)  Act III - Solving of the problem (The princess is safe … back to plumbing.)

3.  Exposition: Just a country boy.  Call: Time to get moving …  Refusal: … in a minute.  Information: He killed my dog!?  Departure: I’ll miss you all  Testing: Have at ye!  Reward: That’s it?  Ordeal: Again? You’ve got to be kidding me.  Resurrection: Why won’t you just die!  Return: I hope no one touched my stuff.

4.  Quick High-level summary of the story: A black hole has swallowed all the planets in the solar system. The Prince of the Universe picks up items by rolling his magic ball in order to recreate the planets and plug the hole. You’re a freelance reporter stuck in a mall and surrounded by bloodthirsty zombies. You must use everything at your disposal as a weapon in order to survive long enough to be rescued.

5.  So … Snake IS the Metal Gear???

6.  Bioshock - Ayn Rand’s dystopia and stem cell research  GTA 4 – The consequences of revenge  Braid - Memories and Relationships  CoD 4 - Sacrifice and Nationalism  Fallout - The human paradox of survival and self destruction  Max Payne - Survivor's guilt and accepting loss

7.  Environment is exposition

8.  Balancing Conflict  Shifting Focus  Foreshadowing  Suspension of Disbelief  Realism

9.  Interactivity  Non-Linearity  Player control  Collaboration  Cinematics  Scripted Events