Overview

Developed in partnership with multi-award-winning XR writer and designer Rob Morgan, and the founding funder UK Research and Innovation ('UKRI') under the 'StoryFutures Academy' project led by the National Film and Television School ('NFTS'), the course blends hands-on creative practice with cutting-edge case studies. It is an intensive and practice-led experience, designed for learners who want to develop future-ready creative skills and stay ahead of industry trends. This course explores the art and science of designing interactive narratives specifically for immersive media and video games. Participants will learn about the various types of player choices and their impact on agency, as well as analyse existing interactive narratives to understand branching design. The course will guide learners through the process of designing and prototyping a simple branching narrative, while also defining the differences between location-specific and location-agnostic storytelling. In addition, students will evaluate how the environment shapes narrative and design guided walks with strong narrative concepts. The course will cover immersive qualities unique to VR and games, spatial storytelling principles, and the critique of player self-consciousness in immersive media. During the course participants will be developing a complete immersive narrative concept or prototype, integrating user-centered storytelling principles, and communicate their design clearly for a creative portfolio. By the end of the course the participants will be able to 1. Design, and prototype branching interactive narratives for immersive media and video games. 2. Explain location-based storytelling techniques to create audience-aware experiences. 3. Apply spatial storytelling concepts from VR to enhance immersion and emotional engagement. 4. Produce and present a portfolio-ready immersive narrative concept integrating branching, location, or VR techniques.

Syllabus

Foundations of interactive narratives and the basics of branching narrative

Dive into the world of interactive narratives, exploring the fundamentals of branching stories and player agency. Understand how these elements have evolved from historical interactive texts to shape modern gaming experiences. This module sets the stage for creating engaging and immersive stories that respond to player choices, providing a foundation for designing your own interactive stories.

Agency, conditionality and consequence

In this module you will learn about the Fabled Lands game and variables. You will install Twine software on your computer and play some games. After that you will be creating a short interactive story and share it with your peers on a discission forum.

Basics of immersive storytelling: location-based stories

Explore how real-world space and place inform storytelling, drawing on walking art, AR design principles and game-level design considerations. This module will guide you in creating narratives that are deeply connected to their environments.

Basics of immersive storytelling: Learning from VR

In this module you will be Introduced to the grammar of VR storytelling with clear application to immersive games. You will be focusing on spatial design and emotional stakes.

Course project

In this final module you will be working on the project to integrate branching, location-based and VR techniques to produce a portfolio-ready immersive narrative concept suitable for immersive media and/or video games. Bring your narrative concepts to life and prepare them for presentation and learn to showcase your work to an audience, highlighting the innovative use of interactive storytelling techniques.