Delivered at Casual Connect Europe 2016 Writing appealing characters and keeping a good narrative flow can become very difficult if you don’t have the right tools. In this session Hernan Lopez will be talking about the good practices that can help you overcome those development challenges.

1. Tools to improve narrative:
Easy ways to write appealing characters, maintain narrative rhythm and
overcoming writer's block

2. Follow a vision:
-Use the elements the game already have
-Keep in mind the game audience.

3. Set a premise for the basic story
(if the premise is not already there)
- The premise should be short and concise.

4. Shaping the story:
- Create a basic 3 act story
- Keep in mind the gameplay
- Divide in smaller story arcs if needed.

5. Character Inventory:
Example of character dictated by gameplay: Bowser
Example of a character invented to assist the plot: Princess Peach.

6. Adding depth:
- Set the characters bios:
- Personality
- Passions
- Secrets
- Factions and relationship with others
- Any Relevant Subject

8. Adding depth:
Tip Numero uno:
-Flawed characters are more interesting.

9. Adding depth:
Tip Numero Dos:
- Stereotipes make your characters easy to get.
- Twists make your characters unique and memorable.

10. Adding depth:
Tip Numero Tres:
- Assign “avatar animals”

11. The main Character:
- The name is important!
- Relatable
- Moral Consistency
- Motivated
- Positive traits.

12. Phasing Helper Tool:
• There are conventional spot for the story to unveil.
- Make the story a treat

13. Phasing Helper Tool: The Graphic

14. Phasing Helper Tool:The Graphic

15. The Result:
- they will be able to talk by themselves.

16. Problems you may Have while writing:
A) You are blocked!
- Know your references
-Write anything

17. Problems you may Have while writing:
B) Your Script Sucks!
-Show your script
-Get more references.
-Change it!

18. Common narrative mistakes:
-Taking control from the player too often
-Gameplay over cutsenes

19. Common narrative mistakes:
-Annoying the player with story
-Walls of texts are the kiss of death.

20. THAT’S ALL FOLKS!
Questions?
Contact me!
herian4@hotmail.com