This document discusses how narrative and character design can affect video game success. It explores favorite game characters and what makes them appealing, noting they often share common traits. Several narrative plot structures are outlined, including overcoming monsters, quests, journeys, comedy, tragedy, and rags to riches stories. The document asks how to create intelligent games using narratology and intriguing characters, and poses developing a 500-word essay on video game narrative and character appeals.

1. GAME APPEALS: Narrative +
Characters
Can in use media theory to explain
how narrative and character design
effect video game success?
Who are your favourite video game characters and why do they
appeal to you ?
Do they have anything in common ?

2. Why make an
interesting
character anyway?

4. Avatars

12. Vladimir Propp’s Character Types

13. NARRATIVE:
• Todorov ?

14. Plot lines ?

15. Christopher Booker: The 7 Basic Plots (2005)
1. Overcoming the monster Defeating some force which
threatens
2. The quest In search of something
3. The journey and return The act of travelling to achieve
4. Comedy The role of humour to create story
5. Tragedy Turmoil to create a story
6. Rebirth Second chance to change actions
7. Rags to Riches A significant change in fortunes

18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTtz
3osLyjA&feature=player_embedded
• https://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=nTtz3osLyjA&feature=play
er_embedded

19. What can you do to create an
intelligent game that uses narratology
and intriguing characters ?

20. DEVICE 6

22. What does this mean ?

24. Video Game Narrative and Character
Appeals

25. Essay question: (500 words!)