Traditional narrative models

We can identify two main models to structure a video game narrative, the three-act story and the monomyth (or the hero’s journey). Of course, these are not the only two that exist, but they are the most used and the ones from which other structures have developed. The monomyth, as we’re going to see, is a more specific and elaborate version of the three-act story that doesn’t only cover the story structure but also the characters that live in it.

These two models are a great starting point for understanding the deep relationship between narrative and games. Don’t be scared by the fact that most stories share the same core structure. It’s been this way for hundreds of years, and nonetheless, so many different stories have been told.

There are other ways to tell a story; there’s so much more still to discover and invent. But our advice is always to master the fundamental rules before attempting to change or...