Patterns for environmental narrative
Ysabelle Coutu · 2020
Pattern languages (originally developed for architecture) have been highly useful in encouraging and facilitating good design methodologies, and are especially relevant to game design. In particular, this game design research-focused thesis aims to create a small set of patterns related to environmental storytelling in games, to help designers better handle narrative dissemination in game spaces, and to use empirical data in determining how effective these patterns actually are. The main question being explored is as follows: what are some environmental narrative patterns, and how effective are they at conveying narrative through spatial techniques? To test this, a preliminary set of patterns was generated, then a level constructed using only limited pattern techniques. After initial feedback was collected, the level went into an iteration stage, where it was more rigorously tested, and further patterns developed and implemented. The final stage involves running users through the improved, pattern-centric level in an effort to determine the efficacy of these patterns for producing a better end-user experience.--Author's abstract