Believable Stories for Realistic Games

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Believable Stories for Realistic Games

• By
• Richard Dansky

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Who am I, and why am I telling you this?

• Central Clancy Writer at Red Storm/UbiSoft
• Writer or co-writer on Raven Shield, Island
  Thunder, Desert Siege, Rainbow Six 3, and more
• Published Author
• Designed, contributed to or wrote over 130
  roleplaying game books
• Author of four novels and numerous short stories

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Introduction

• We are in the business of realistic games, but
• What is a realistic game?
• Limitations of realistic games
• Believable vs. realistic vs. real theyre not
  always the same

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What is a realistic game?

• Real-world locations and tools
• No elves, lava, zap guns, aliens, or cute fuzzy
  talking animals
• Sometimes thats not enough the feel needs to
  be there.

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Limitations

• No fantasy or goofy science fiction elements
• Real-world settings staying on the map
• Tight boundaries can encourage creativity if
  you know what your tool set is from the start,
  you can use it more effectively

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Definitions

• Real What actually is and neither real nor
  realistic is always believable.
• Realistic Using real-world instances,
  locations, technology, etc.
• Believable Matching what the player thinks is
  realistic

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Initial Story Parameters

• Island Thunder
• Third title in the series
• Some settings already taken
• Fan expectations set critical knives sharpened
• Format limitations mission pack vs. game
• Raven Shield
• Previous work had been done
• Assets already created
• Whose Line Is It Anyway? writing

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Brainstorming Techniques

• Even realistic stories have to start somewhere
• Island Thunder
• What had gone before? Lets not do that.
• Make a list and then re-assess.
• Raven Shield
• The importance of the villain
• Selecting whom to go after

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Research Techniques

• Get your information straight!
• Details matter or at least some of them do.
• Tour guides, travel web sites, and tourist
  bureaus are your friends.
• Dont be afraid to get dirty unusual sources
  can help you.

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When You Think Youre Done

• Re-check your facts
• One mistake can discredit everything else you
  say.
• Multiple sources are always better.
• Gut check
• Get someone elses opinion or lots of someones.
• Listen to the comments. They might mean something.

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Story Development

• You need to put the pieces together.
• Pick the right pieces.
• Put them together in whatever order you like,
  again and again.
• Raven Shield
• What needs explaining?
• Your best tool Why?
• What in-game tools do you have to get your story
  and your explanations across?

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Challenges in Development

• Island Thunder
• How much detail is too much?
• What cant you do?
• Do be respectful
• Dont blow up the local landmarks
• Be ready for cuts, and provide the sacrifice
  willingly
• Raven Shield
• Last minute changes addition and subtraction
• Just in case
• Smoothing the seams

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Conclusions

• Why bother?
• Lots of risks
• Hard work
• Easier to just make stuff up

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Risks Rewards

• RISKS
• They might not believe you anyway.
• The headlines might catch up to you.
• REWARDS
• Truth is stranger than fiction, and gives better
  gameplay.
• A better connection for the player, and stronger
  reward for success
• Aint nothing like the real thing.

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The End

• Thank you for your attention
• richard.dansky_at_redstorm.com