The Power of Narrative: Crafting Replayable Stories

Games are designed to be replayed, but what makes a game replayable from a narrative perspective can be at odds with traditional game design. Jon Ingold, co-founder and narrative director of Inkle, emphasizes that the goal of narrative is to engage the player's mind, rather than simply create compulsion loops or attention sinks. Inkle's games, such as 80 Days and Heaven's Vault, are known for their replayable narratives, which are achieved through careful design and a focus on setup and payoff. Ingold stresses that AI is not the solution for richer narratives, as it can lead to meaningless content that lacks connection and depth. Instead, he advocates for making narratives deliberately ambiguous and nebulous, allowing players to interpret and understand the story in their own way. Ingold also highlights the importance of banter and character dialogue in creating memorable and engaging narratives, citing examples from Inkle's games and other titles. Ultimately, the key to crafting replayable narratives is to create a sense of connection and community, rather than relying on repetition or infinite content.