Interactive Narrative Design / Project 2

on
02.06.2025 - 23.06.2025 (Week 7 - Week 10 )
Ng Kar Yee / 0367743
Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
Interactive Narrative Design / Project 2

LECTURES

Week 7⇒ Agong's Birthday Holiday

Week 8⇒ Interactive Narrative Tools Using Ren'py

In week 8, Mr Kamal introduced Ren'py to us which is a visual novel engine that helps you use words, images, and sounds to tell interactive stories that run on computers and mobile devices. These can be both visual novels and life simulation games. The easy to learn script language allows anyone to efficiently write large visual novels, while its Python scripting is enough for complex simulation games.

Mr Kamal starts by instructing us on how to download the app and visual code for the scripting side. Besides, he also begins to teach us the basic coding needed in a game like how to type in the dialogues, add in choices, put in characters and slot in audio as well as background. 




Week 9⇒ Building Assets For Interactive Novel Game

For week 9, Mr Kamal let us focus more on building our characters and researching as well as collect our assets. He recommended a few websites to us where we can build our character by selecting and customizing as well as websites that have background references.   

1. Characters

2. Background

I tried using the website to create my own character and it was quite fun as it was like a dress up game where i can choose how I wanted my character to look like. However there were some limitation on how the body shape can be.

Figure 1.0 Character Creation

INTRODUCTION

PROJECT 2⇒ WRITING SCRIPT FOR INTERACTIVE NARRATIVE

For our second project, Mr Kamal introduced Writing Script For Interactive Narrative to us where we need to develop a full interactive script based on the proposal submitted in Project 1. We are needed to translate the interactive narrative concept into a detailed script that accounts for branching choices, alternate pathways, dialogue options, and dynamic storytelling structures. This project aims to challenges the balance of compelling storytelling with interactivity, ensuring all narrative branches maintain coherence, emotional engagement, and thematic depth.

For this project, we are required to prepare an interactive narrative script and flowchart with the specified content format,

Instructions:

Using your approved Project 1 proposal, write a detailed branching script that includes the following:

1. Script Format & Structure
  • Use a professional screenplay or interactive script format. Clearly label:
  • Scenes (Scene Heading / Location / Time)
  • Dialogue (Character names, emotions, optional voiceover/internal monologue)
  • Player Choices (use branching indicators: Option A / Option B / etc.)
  • Transitions (use flow indicators such as: → Go to Scene 3A, → Back to Scene 1B)
2. Minimum Requirements
  • Your interactive script should include:
  • A minimum of 3 decision points that branch the narrative.
  • At least two distinct narrative pathways (e.g., two major endings).
  • Branching Dialogue Trees (at least one scene with 2–3 dialogue choice variations).
  • Indication of variables or consequences of choices (e.g., relationship points, morality shifts, unlocking hidden scenes).
  • A scene flowchart or branching map to visualize story progression.
3. Optional Enhancements
  • Integrate mechanics such as inventory-based actions, timed choices, or POV switching.
  • Indicate any interactive elements (hover text, image triggers, sound cues, etc.)
  • Annotate with notes on tone, music, interface behavior if relevant to immersion.
4. Deliverables
  • Submit a single PDF file containing:
  • Title Page
  • Branching Script
  • Flowchart / Interactive Map (clearly showing the decision points and path structure)

FIRST VERSION

After getting a green light on the proposal idea, I started drafting out the script for 'Recode'. I look up on examples of how to draft a script shared by Mr Kamal and try to detaily script out the storyline and each branch choices to let the story interesting. 


For the flowchart, I refined the version I did in project 1. Apparently, I was one step early in doing the flowchart XD. Anyway, I rearranged some of the flowchart and added color highlights to indicate each main choices. I also indicated two ending features as I was not sure how Ren'py would work at that moment therefore having a let players choose their ending as plan A and a calculated ending which would be influenced by player's choice where each decision may contribute points toward attributes such as +1 Humanity or +1 Revenge as plan B.


After submitting project 2, I found out that my storyline and branching especially in Act 3 and 4 was a bit weird during the making of the gameplay in project 3. Therefore, I refined the script and flowchart. I refined the act 3's part where the protagonist face the Warden AI. I added in choices like [Stand Your Ground. You’re Tired Of Running] where the player (RecodeSample099) would face the Warden together with Alley and [You Want To Survive.You Turn And Run] where player (RecodeSample099) turn and flee leaving Alley facing the Warden alone. Both of the choices would affect the story behind in Act 4. Alley would assist players in escaping to the deeper core which is the next location, the vault if players choose to stand theri ground and fight with Alley. While Alley would reappear as an enemy in Act 4 and lead to further choices if players choose to run and flee Alley, leaving her behind to fight alone.

FINAL WRITING SCRIPT FOR INTERACTIVE NARRATIVE


FEEDBACK

WEEK 9
  • Overall looks okay

REFLECTION

Working on Writing Script For Interactive Narrative has been a fun ride where I got to enhance my skills and knowledge in creative writing and story plotting. Besides, it was new experience as it was my first time writing a script for a game. Moreover, we have the opportunity to analyze and explore different type of storytelling narrative game and see how profesional share their knowledge in the specific field. This project was challenging yet interesting for me as I need to combine creativity and expressing skills however with the guidance I got from Mr Kamal and my friends, I managed to finish the tasks.

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