Theory

Critical Paths

As a part of researching audience, and practical insights to my artefact, I also drew on theoretical knowledge such as the model of ‘critical paths’ for making a game. A critical path consists of everything the player or audience must discover to achieve the full story experience as well as eventually reach a meaningful ending point. There are also interactive opportunities embedded in this model which help to entice the viewer as this can heighten the gameplay.

Carolyn Handler Miller- Digital storytelling : A Creator's Guide to Interactive Entertainment 

C Miller explains in 'Digital Storytelling; a creator's guide to interactive entertainment' how storytelling has evolved and changed dramatically in recent years. Storytelling is now becoming increasingly interactive with stories being told via video-games, interactive books and through social media platforms. Interactive storytelling is immersive and allows the user to interact and shape the narrative themselves.

Interactivity is merely a conversation between the user and the content. Miller states that ‘people who participate in interactive entertainments are given two gifts that are never offered to audiences of passive entertainments: choice and control.’ (Miller, 2008). This suggests that an audience are allowed the choice of what they consume and interact with, are more notably can impact the narrative and the outcome of the content.