on writing games

linearity is unavoidable

As interactive story designers, we run the risk of hyper-focusing on the dynamic aspects of our story.

We have to pay close attention to the branches, the foreshadowing between branches, and the variables that modify the story.

Why do I say we run the risk?

Because no matter how amazing our dynamic narrative system is, there is a reality we cannot escape:

The player experiences our story in a linear form.

Especially on the first run.

If we want the player to enjoy our story, it has to work as a linear story, no matter what choices they made.