The Art of Storytelling in Games

Sections

2. Building Blocks of Narratives

3. Gameplay as a Storyteller

4. Eliciting Emotion

5. Practical Tips

1

The Magic of Storytelling:

Why Narratives Matter in Games

Picture yourself stepping into an opulent theater. Gold filigree wraps around the walls, velvet drapes cascade from the balconies, and the faint scent of aged wood lingers in the air. The orchestra swells, and every note weaves an unspoken story.

Now, picture the opposite: a cold, abandoned factory, where rusted machinery looms and the only sound is the rhythmic drip of water echoing through the emptiness. No music, no grandeur—yet this space tells a story, too, one of loss and decay.

That’s the beauty of storytelling in games. It can transport you to a place of shimmering elegance or drag you into a harsh, unforgiving world. Both can captivate, and both, when done right, leave a strong impression that a player will remember for years to come.

Why Do Games Need Stories?

Here’s the thing: games don’t need stories. Mechanics alone can be thrilling. Think of classic arcade games like Tetris or Pac-Man. They don’t rely on narratives to hook you. But stories?

Stories give games a soul. They turn gameplay into something memorable, something meaningful.

Take Journey. It’s simple: a lone figure traverses a vast desert. There’s no dialogue, no explicit plot—just you, the wind, and the sand. Yet, the game stirs emotions: hope, wonder, even loneliness. Contrast that with DOOM (2016), where the story is as blunt as a sledgehammer: you’re the Doom Slayer, and demons are your prey.

Two wildly different narratives, but both work because they embrace their identity.

What Stories Bring to Games

Stories are more than just background noise. They make you care. In The Witcher 3, you’re not just completing quests; you’re shaping the fate of characters and kingdoms. Your choices matter, and that’s powerful.

A good story doesn’t just entertain—it immerses. It makes you feel like your actions belong to a bigger picture.

But stories in games do something even more magical: they invite you to participate. Unlike a movie or a book, a game lets you drive the narrative forward. The story responds to your actions, your choices. That’s something no other medium can truly offer.

“A good story doesn’t just entertain—it immerses.”

Start with Emotion

If you’re creating a game, start here: what do you want players to feel? Joy, fear, curiosity, sadness? Once you know that, everything else will fall into place. Whether you’re crafting a shimmering palace or a bleak wasteland, your narrative should serve that emotion.

So, where will your story take us?

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2

Building Blocks of Narratives:

The Ingredients of a Great Game Story

Every memorable story—whether in games, books, or films—has a core set of building blocks that bring it to life. These aren’t rigid rules, but rather tools you can use to craft a tale that resonates with your players. Let’s break 5 of them down together, one step at a time.

1. Characters:

The Heart of the Story

At the core of any narrative are the characters. They’re the ones players connect with, root for, or even despise. In games, your characters don’t need to be complex from the start, but they need to feel alive. Ask yourself:

• What does your protagonist want?
• What stands in their way?
• What makes them unique or flawed?

Take Celeste, for example. Madeline’s climb up the mountain isn’t just about the physical challenge; it’s about battling her own fears and doubts. Her journey feels real because she’s vulnerable, relatable, and, most importantly, growing.

2. Conflict:

The Engine of the Plot

No story moves without conflict. It’s the force that drives action and keeps players engaged. Conflict doesn’t always mean a fight; it can be as subtle as inner turmoil or as grand as a battle to save the universe.

Think about The Last of Us. The core conflict isn’t just surviving a post-apocalyptic world—it’s the emotional tension between Joel and Ellie as they navigate loss, trust, and love. By layering personal conflict over external threats, the game grips players on multiple levels.

3. Setting:

The World as a Storyteller

The world you create doesn’t just hold the story—it tells part of it. Every environment, from bustling cities to desolate wastelands, is an opportunity to deepen the narrative. A well-designed setting should whisper its history to the player without needing exposition.

Consider Bioshock. Rapture, the underwater city, isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a character in its own right. Every broken vending machine, every flickering light adds to the eerie sense of a utopia gone wrong.

4. Theme:

The Soul of the Story

A theme gives your narrative weight. It’s the deeper idea or question your story explores. Themes don’t need to hit players over the head, but they should linger, subtly shaping their experience.

For instance, Undertale challenges traditional ideas of morality in games. It asks: do you need to kill to win? This theme weaves through every encounter, making players question their choices and reflect on their actions.

5. Pacing:

The Rhythm of Engagement

The best stories know when to speed up and when to slow down. Games are unique because pacing isn’t just about the story—it’s tied to gameplay. If everything is action-packed, players may burn out. If it’s too slow, they might lose interest.

Hollow Knight balances its pace masterfully. Quiet exploration is punctuated by intense combat, giving players moments to breathe and moments to sweat.

Putting It Together

As you craft your game’s story, think of these elements as a recipe. Each ingredient plays a role, but how you combine them is up to you. Maybe your characters drive everything, or perhaps your setting is the star. The key is to experiment, test, and trust your instincts.

Imagine a simple story:

A lone traveler wanders into a mysterious forest.

• Who is the traveler, and what do they want?
• What conflict awaits them in the forest?
• What kind of world is this forest part of?
• What deeper theme could this story explore?

Sketch a quick outline of how this narrative might play out in a game.

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3

Gameplay as a Storyteller:

Letting Players Drive the Narrative

If characters and conflicts are the heart of your story, gameplay is its voice. Unlike books or movies, games offer something no other medium can: interactivity.

Players don’t just observe the story—they live it. Your gameplay should work hand in hand with your narrative, turning mechanics into a seamless part of the storytelling.

Let’s explore how this can be done.

1. Mechanics That Tell a Story

Imagine this: you’re playing a survival game. Your character hasn’t eaten in days. The mechanics slow your movements, blur your vision, and reduce your stamina. You feel weak, not just because the game says so, but because the gameplay makes you experience it.

Take Celeste as an example again. The simple act of climbing mirrors Madeline’s emotional struggle. Each failed jump, each retry, feels like a part of her journey to overcome self-doubt. Mechanics like these don’t need dialogue—they tell the story through what players do.

Pro Tip: Think about how actions, successes, and failures can reflect the narrative. A hero’s journey could feel like it’s getting harder as the stakes rise, while a tragic fall might strip the player of power gradually.

2. The World as an Interactive Narrator

Games don’t need words to tell a story. Sometimes, the environment does all the talking. When players explore, they uncover pieces of the narrative without needing an NPC to spell it out.

Take Dark Souls. Its cryptic storytelling relies on exploration. The ruined castles, eerie swamps, and ancient relics tell a history of decay and despair. You’re not handed a story—you piece it together by observing the world around you.

Pro Tip: Design your world with layers.

• What can players see on the surface?
• What’s hidden beneath?

Encourage curiosity and reward those who dig deeper.

3. Choice and Consequence

Few things immerse players more than choice. Giving them the power to shape the narrative makes their actions meaningful.

But meaningful choices only work when there are real consequences.

Look at Mass Effect. Decisions about alliances, morality, and relationships ripple across the trilogy. When players see how their choices shape the world, they become emotionally invested.

Pro Tip: Offer players choices that reflect the themes of your story. For example, if your narrative explores trust, present dilemmas where betrayal is a tempting option.

4. Pacing Through Gameplay

Story pacing isn’t just about cutscenes. It’s about the rhythm of the gameplay. A quiet moment of exploration after a tough battle gives players time to reflect. A sudden chase can heighten tension at a pivotal moment.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild balances this perfectly. Peaceful exploration is punctuated by intense combat and breathtaking discoveries, creating an emotional ebb and flow that feels natural.

Pro Tip: Plan your gameplay moments like chapters in a book. Build tension, give players moments to rest, and keep the experience varied.

5. The Player as a Co-Author

The most powerful stories aren’t just told to players—they’re co-written by them.

When players feel like their actions genuinely shape the narrative, they become deeply invested.

Take The Stanley Parable. It plays with the concept of choice, letting players question the very nature of storytelling. By exploring, rebelling, or following instructions, they craft their own version of the narrative.

Pro Tip: Think about how your game can let players leave their mark. This could be as small as choosing dialogue options or as large as altering the game world itself.

Think of a core mechanic in your game. 

Now ask:

• How does this mechanic reflect the story?
• Can it evolve as the narrative progresses?
• Does it let players feel like they’re part of the story rather than just an observer?

Experiment with tying a single mechanic directly to your protagonist’s journey.

Maybe jumping becomes harder as their resolve weakens—or easier as they grow stronger.

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4

Eliciting Emotion:

Making Players Feel the Story

A great game doesn’t just tell a story—it makes you feel it. Whether it’s the thrill of a desperate escape, the heartbreak of losing an ally, or the quiet awe of discovering something beautiful, emotions are the glue that binds players to your narrative.

Let’s explore how you can design for emotional impact, weaving feelings into every facet of your game.

1. Start with Empathy

At the heart of every emotional story is a connection. Players don’t need to see themselves in your characters, but they need to care about them. Empathy is the bridge between player and narrative.

Consider The Walking Dead by Telltale Games. Lee and Clementine’s bond grows naturally, not through grand gestures, but through small, relatable moments: sharing food, comforting each other, protecting one another. By focusing on their humanity, the game builds an emotional connection that makes every choice gut-wrenching.

Pro Tip: Don’t force players to care. Show your characters’ vulnerability, their quirks, and their struggles. Let players form that bond naturally.

2. Use Gameplay to Evoke Feelings

Emotions don’t just come from dialogue—they arise from gameplay itself. The mechanics should reflect the mood you want to create. Tension can be built through resource scarcity, joy through fluid movement, and fear through unpredictable encounters.

Take Shadow of the Colossus. The moment you bring down a towering colossus, you feel both triumph and sorrow. The mechanics—climbing, holding on desperately, and delivering the final blow—mirror the weight of the protagonist’s moral struggle.

Pro Tip: Ask yourself, How does the gameplay make players feel in this moment? Design mechanics that reinforce the emotions of the narrative.

3. Music and Sound:

The Silent Storyteller

Sound is one of the most powerful tools for evoking emotion. A well-placed melody or a subtle ambient effect can say more than words ever could.

Take a look at Ori and the Blind Forest. Its sweeping soundtrack amplifies the beauty and sadness of its world. Each note feels like a part of the story, pulling players deeper into Ori’s journey.

Pro Tip: Use sound dynamically. Let it swell during climactic moments or fade into silence when you want players to feel isolated.

4. The Power of Quiet Moments

Sometimes, less is more. Silence and stillness can be just as impactful as action-packed sequences. They give players space to breathe and reflect, amplifying the emotional weight of what came before.

In Journey, the quiet moments of gliding through sand dunes or standing at the foot of a towering mountain evoke a sense of awe and introspection. Without words, the game invites players to find their own meaning.

Pro Tip: Balance intensity with calm. Design moments where players can pause, look around, and soak in the atmosphere.

5. Player Choice:

The Root of Emotional Investment

When players make decisions that have real consequences, they feel responsible for the outcomes. This investment heightens the emotional stakes, making every victory sweeter and every loss more painful.

In Life is Strange, choices about relationships, morality, and sacrifice create a deeply personal experience. Players feel the weight of their actions, knowing they’ve shaped the story in their own way.

Pro Tip: Don’t shy away from tough choices. Let players feel the complexity of their decisions, even if the outcomes aren’t perfect or predictable.

Take a moment to reflect on a time a game made you feel something powerful.

Was it sadness, joy, fear, or triumph?

• What triggered that feeling?
• Was it a character’s arc, a gameplay moment, or the world’s design?

Now think about your own game. What emotions do you want players to feel? How can your story, gameplay, and presentation work together to bring those emotions to life?

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5

Practical Tips for Crafting Game Narratives

Now that we’ve explored the magic of storytelling, its building blocks, gameplay as a narrative tool, and the art of evoking emotion, it’s time to get practical.

You’ve got the inspiration, the vision—but how do you turn those ideas into a cohesive narrative for your game?

Here are some actionable tips to help you shape your story and bring it to life. 

1. Start Small, Dream Big

Every grand story starts with a seed. Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to create an epic right away! Start with a simple concept: a character, a conflict, or even a single moment you want players to experience.

For instance, the creators of Celeste began with a straightforward idea: a young woman climbing a mountain. From there, they built a narrative around themes of perseverance and self-discovery.

Your Turn: Write down a one-sentence summary of your story. Then ask, Why does this matter? What deeper themes can I explore?

2. Think About the Player’s Role

Always remember: the player isn’t just an observer—they’re a participant. Your story should feel like it revolves around them. Ask yourself:

• How does the player shape the narrative?
• What emotions do you want them to feel at key moments?
• How do their actions impact the world and characters?

Games like Hades excel at this. Through gameplay and dialogue, players feel like they’re actively influencing Zagreus’s relationships and the course of his escape.

Your Turn: Design one gameplay moment where the player’s actions directly impact the story.

3. Keep It Simple (to Start)

It’s tempting to create a sprawling epic with multiple subplots and intricate world-building. But complexity can overwhelm both you and your players. Start small. Build a strong foundation, and let complexity grow naturally as the story unfolds.

Once again: Journey. Its story is minimal: a silent protagonist on a pilgrimage. Yet, it conveys profound themes of connection and perseverance.

Your Turn: Can you summarize your game’s story in one or two sentences? If not, refine it until you can.

4. Playtest for Emotional Impact

Narratives aren’t static—they come alive when players experience them. Regular playtesting helps you see how your story resonates. Do players care about your characters? Are the emotional beats landing as intended?

For example, The Last of Us underwent extensive playtesting to fine-tune its pacing and emotional moments, ensuring players stayed engaged from start to finish.

Pro Tip: Pay attention to when players react—are they excited, confused, or bored? Use this feedback to adjust your story’s flow.

5. Collaborate with Your Team

If you’re working with a team, remember that everyone contributes to the narrative in some way. Artists, level designers, and audio engineers all bring unique perspectives. Encourage open communication to ensure the story feels cohesive across all elements.

Think of Red Dead Redemption 2. Its rich narrative was a team effort, with contributions from writers, animators, and voice actors, all working toward a shared vision.

Your Turn: Hold a brainstorming session with your team. Discuss how each discipline can enhance the narrative, from visual storytelling to audio cues.

6. Embrace Iteration

No story is perfect in its first draft. Be prepared to rewrite, rethink, and refine. Test new ideas, explore different perspectives, and don’t be afraid to cut what isn’t working.

Take Disco Elysium. Its deep, branching narrative went through countless iterations to ensure every dialogue choice felt meaningful and authentic.

Pro Tip: Start small—write one scene or mission. Test it, get feedback, and iterate before expanding to the rest of the game.

7. Stay True to Your Vision

Finally, remember why you started this journey. What inspired you to create this story? It’s easy to get lost in feedback, trends, or doubts, but your unique vision is what will make your narrative stand out.

Your Turn: When you feel stuck, revisit your narrative pillars. They’ll remind you of your story’s heart and keep you on track.

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Storytelling in games is a dance between structure and creativity, between control and freedom. It’s not about getting it perfect—it’s about creating something that resonates, something that leaves a mark on your players.

So, what story will you tell?

What you have learnt

Why stories are important in games: They add meaning to gameplay and create emotional connections.

The building blocks of good storytelling: Characters, conflicts, settings, themes and pacing.

How gameplay tells stories: Players as co-authors, emotions through mechanics, and the world as narrator.

Evoking emotions: Moving players through empathy, music, and powerful moments.

Practical tips: From clear goals to playtesting to iteration – always improve the narrative.

Congratulations!

You have read the entire chapter!

Would you like to find out our sources for this article and read a little more about storytelling yourself? Then we warmly recommend the following book.

Interactive Stories and Video Game Art:

A Storytelling Framework for Game Design

By Chris Solarski

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