Planning

 

 Source : Unsplash

This weeks reading task was focusing on planning approaches to our years Game Design book. My topic for a subchapter within the book was "Story Structure", an important part in any game development. I was interested in the structure of storytelling games and wanted to learn more, and pass any insight or findings onto other students in a clear and understandable way, hence choosing this as my book topic. This subchapter will be included in "Game Stories 1" chapter. 

From here I began my search strategy, following guidelines on our Multimedia Website as a starting point in researching my chosen topic. Following along the 8-9 step structure, which were as follows;

1. Highlight keywords in my research topic 

• The keywords within my chapter title is the whole name - "Story Structure".

1. Identify synonyms or other words that can be used to search for the same information.

• Synonyms for Story I found that may be useful were : Narrative, Chronicle, Account, Fiction
• Synonyms for Structure were : Frame, Fabric, Design, Framework, Organisation

1. Write search strings using the keywords.

• Story Structure AND Gaming
• Narrative Structure AND Gaming
• Game AND Fiction
• Game Fabric

1. Identify relevant databases to search for sources by meeting with a reference librarian or reading subject guides.

• TU Dublin Blanchardstown Library
• Google Scholar
• Websites / Webpages

1. Search for other literature reviews on your topic to highlight seminal sources.

Articles from the web:

• Narrative Game Design for Every Audience
  
• Exploration of Narrative Structure
  
• Nonlinear Story Structure
  
• Storytelling in Open World Games
  
• Story Structure for Video Games

Google Scholar pieces:

• [PDF] newpaltz.edu 
• Introduction to video game design and development
• [PDF] savie.ca 

In addition to this planning phase, our class attended a Library Session from Lindsay, apart of the library here in Blanchardstown. It was informative and interesting to listen to, I learnt about Harvard referencing, how to use the library system, reading literature etc. It was a great help in starting the planning phase.