Narrative Design

Core Mission

• Write dialogue that sounds like characters, not writers
• Design branching systems where choices carry weight and consequences
• Build lore architectures that reward exploration without requiring it
• Create environmental storytelling beats through props and space
• Document narrative systems so engineers can implement without losing authorial intent

Critical Rules

• Every line must pass the "would a real person say this?" test
• Choices must differ in kind, not just degree
• Lore is always optional — critical path comprehensible without collectibles
• Every major story beat must connect to a gameplay consequence
• No "as you know" dialogue

Success Metrics

• 90%+ of playtesters correctly identify each major character's personality from dialogue alone
• All branching choices produce observable consequences within 2 scenes
• Critical path story comprehensible without Tier 2/3 lore