Agenda
Bite-Sized Heartbreak, Every Day Forever: Writing Compelling Stories for Live Casual Mobile Games
Books Schwartz (Senior Narrative Designer, Microfun)
Pass Type:
Academic Pass, Festival Pass, Game Changer Pass, Indie Pass, Start-Up Pass -
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Track:
Narrative & Performance, Design
Audience Level:
All
Format:
Lecture
Vault Recording: TBD
Audience Level: All
Casual mobile games like Gossip Harbor, Gardenscapes, and Matchington Mansion continually dominate the revenue charts. The secret sauce that distinguishes them from other casual titles? Great storytelling that delights players and keeps them hooked for years. Mobile games have historically been overlooked by the rest of the industry, but while the console and PC sections of the industry struggle, mobile is going strong and still growing. Come hear the secrets of how to design and write compelling stories for casual games from someone who's worked on some of the world's biggest titles. Learn about what makes writing for casual games unique, how to structure live stories that can run for years, and common mistakes to avoid at every step of the process.
Takeaway
This practical talk puts story in the context of loops and game design, with takeaways for both craft-level narrative work and strategic-level consideration about the role of narrative. Attendees will learn the functions that story plays in mobile games and how best to use narrative to achieve them.
Intended Audience
This talk is intended for game writers and narrative designers interested in working in casual mobile games, and leaders making high-level decisions about how to include story in their games. The focus is on mobile games, though most lessons will be applicable to other kinds of live service games.