Stories can have an amazing impact on us. Vivid descriptions of actions not only stimulate our language centre, they also activate the parts of the brain that deal with movement. Stories resonate with us - affect the way we think and the things we do. But how do we harness their power for learning? Storytelling in learning is nothing new, but recent learning perspectives and technologies, from immersive video to branching narratives and dynamic scoring have opened the door to new levels of involvement and impact. At the eLearning Network event held on 14th July 2016 at Avuva HQ in London, Briightwave Group's Sophie Costin shared her latest insight and experiences of working with cutting edge storytelling techniques on high profile projects with a range of global clients, exploring: • The benefit and effect of storytelling in branching learning games. • Elements and principles of creating an immersive branching story. • How to create your characters, generate content and write a story for a branching, decision-based game.

1. Stranger than fiction:
The power of storytelling
in learning games
brightwavegroup.com

2. • What makes stories such a powerful
learning tool?
• How can this be enhanced with game
dynamics?
• My 5 top tips for creating stories for
learning games.

3. Branching games
Interactive experiences in which the user
explores the different outcomes and
consequences of their chosen course of
action.

4. Games that have inspired me
• Take the Knife
• How to Survive a Nuclear Bomb

5. Why so serious about serious
games?

6. Availability of tools and design
• More third party companies
offering the technology.
• Learning from others’ successes
and mistakes.

7. Cara Ellison
Four games that tell great
stories and how they do it

8. Stories and games collide
We’ve been clear for a long time on the
learning power of stories. But we’ve really
only just starting to put them together
with games to unlock their full potentials.

9. Breaker
slide
Story arc

10. The importance of characters
‘Characters become your avatar.’
John Yorke
Into the Woods

11. Reading produces a vivid simulation
of reality, one that “runs on minds of
readers just as computer simulations
run on computers.”
Keith Oatley
Professor of Cognitive Psychology, University of Toronto.

12. The power of stories…
• The dramatic story arc
• Authentic characters
• Vivid simulation
…with the dynamics of games:
• Focused on practical action
• Scoring and feedback

14. My top 5 tips for creating your own
branching narrative game

15. 1. Choose your branching structure

16. String of pearls

17. Nodal narrative

18. 2. Establish your scenario and ask
yourself ‘What are the best and worst
outcomes?’

19. 3. Define your central character

20. 4. Design your scoring

21. 5. Paper prototype as much as possible

22. Recap
1. Branching structure
2. Establish your story arc
3. Define your central character
4. Design your scoring
5. Paper prototype

23. Thank you
brightwavegroup.com