A story matrix for virtual worlds

A common topic at the Virtual Worlds conference in LA was the integration of story into virtual worlds.  However at times I felt the discussion wasn’t all that productive. Some speaking of story worlds, others of ARGs, machinima – it was all over the place. Problem is story is an incredibly broad subject. So to help make the discussion of story a little more productive I thought I would take a stab at trying to clarify story from the perspective of virtual worlds. We’ll call it the Virtual Worlds Story Matrix.

1. Is it a story world or narrative?
2. Real time?
3. Player agency?
4. Computer controlled?
5. Game or drama driven?

Is it a story world or narrative
Narrative is a sequence of events constructed to tell a story – a classic movie, novel, etc. A story world is an environment where elements of a larger story have been incorporated – Disneyland, WoW, etc. Some will be a mix but it’s important to understand which end the story leans more toward.

Real time?
Real time implies two things; 1) it’s not static in its presentation and 2) it has some form of interactivity. Games are real time, movies of course are not. But is theater real time? I would say no, however some forms of experimental theater that respond to the audience could be.

Player agency?
A story that is real time implies some form of interactivity. If through that interactivity the player can significantly affect the storyline and its outcome the player has agency. If the player can flip switches that enrich the environment but are otherwise erroneous, the story may still be real time but would not have agency. The same is true for allowing a player to reorder levels in a game, it doesn’t significantly affect the storyline.

Understand that the debate around “true agency” has a long history in the interactive story community. For example, does a player has agency in a Choose Your Own Adventure book? Their choices affect the storyline and the outcome. However some Choose Your Own Adventure books bring you back to one ultimate ending despite whatever paths are taken – this would not constitute agency. A game that gives the player an abrupt default ending if they fail to complete a level does not constitute agency.

Computer controlled?
If the story is real time it can either be managed or coordinated by a person or computer. Classic Dungeon & Dragons required a person, known as the Dungeon Master. A video game like Space Invaders is of course controlled by a computer. A theater workshop done in Second Life would not be computer controlled.

Game or drama driven?
This has been at the center of much debate,  almost as intense as character vs plot. I however don’t think story has to be one or the other, rather I think story vs games is analogous to movie genres. People go to see horror movies expecting to be scared and they go to see a romantic comedy with very different expectations. However both also share many characteristics; the same is true with story and games. At one end of the spectrum is the game, say Donkey Kong. At the other end of the spectrum is the Hollywood movie. In Donkey Kong if you don’t complete a level, the story ends and you never save the damsel in distress. The story effectively ends, however people play Donkey Kong for the challenge. Most people will likely try again until the task is mastered. If you start a movie you’ll see the story completed if you’re just patient enough to sit through it. What keeps you in your seat is the drama found in the story.

Virtual Worlds Matrix

After taking a stab to fill out the matrix I see some potential issues. For one, it works a lot better for individual examples rather than categories or types. All in all though I think it’s helpful as a touching off point for a discussion on story. What’s your opinion? Did I leave anything out?

Related posts:

1. Why not task Pixar with inventing real-time story?
2. Tell a story without becoming a movie – say what?
3. Are MMOs the best model for real time story?

Tagged as: story matrix