Kelsey Beachum: The Limitations of Cutscene-Driven Storytelling

According to Kelsey Beachum, a renowned narrative designer, game developers who rely solely on cutscenes and linear dialogue to tell their stories are severely limiting their creative potential and may be driving players away. Beachum, known for her work on Outer Wilds, Dying Light 2, and The Outer Worlds, emphasized the importance of integrating storytelling into gameplay. She cited classic games like Super Mario Bros, where the story is conveyed through brief, non-interactive scenes, and noted that this approach is still prevalent in many modern titles, including Kingdom Hearts and Uncharted. Beachum argued that this approach is akin to making a film in black and white with fixed shots, which can result in a less engaging experience. She stressed that developers should utilize a wide range of narrative tools, including dialogue, voiceovers, interactive objectives, environmental storytelling, art, music, and sound effects, to create a more immersive experience. Beachum also highlighted the importance of collaboration between writers, narrative designers, and other development teams to create a cohesive and engaging story. She warned against the pitfalls of info dumping, where large amounts of information are conveyed to the player through non-interactive means, and instead recommended aligning story beats with major gameplay moments. By doing so, developers can create a more engaging and memorable experience for players. Beachum concluded by emphasizing the need for developers to think creatively about how to convey information to players and to avoid relying solely on cutscenes and linear dialogue.