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Devcom 2019: Why mobile game narrative design is more than text and plot

King Berlin studio narrative designer Valentina Tamer offers her advice

Devcom 2019: Why mobile game narrative design is more than text and plot

A narrative designer designs the player narrative experience using all elements of the game - not just the text and a plot, says King Berlin studio narrative designer Valentina Tamer.

Speaking at Devcom 2019, Tamer said people often think that writing revolves around plot, text and dialogue experiences. In that sense, she said some might wonder why a casual games developer like King needs a narrative designer for games like Candy Crush Saga.

Explaining the role, Tamer explained that narrative design is about more than writing, and people in this role need to collaborate with all the various crafts in game development.

Summing up the role, she said narrative design is about writing, plus game design, plus creative direction.

Mobile user habits

Tamer later discussed mobile user habits and how they differ from PC and console. Mobile users may play games while they commute, when they have a break at work, and during the evenings.

Attention spans will be short and developers are also competing against for attention with other app categories including social networking, messaging, streaming, music, news and weather.

Mobile games also compete for attention with other activities. According to Tamer, 56 per cent of users watching TV use their phone.

Tamer said teams need to stop thinking cinematically like a triple-A game. Instead, game narrative is more about the specific requirements of the mobile environment.

You can keep up with our Devcom coverage right here.

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Craig Chapple is a freelance analyst, consultant and writer with specialist knowledge of the games industry. He has previously served as Senior Editor at PocketGamer.biz, as well as holding roles at Sensor Tower, Nintendo and Develop.