The Game Design Round Table #11: Storytelling & The Walking Dead. With Telltale
Jan 23, 2013
Sean Vanaman and Jake Rodkin, both game designers at Telltale Games, delve into the art of storytelling in games like The Walking Dead. They discuss the unique challenges of narrative-driven game design versus traditional formats. The duo shares their collaborative experiences, emphasizing the blend of writing and visual design in crafting emotionally resonant stories. Listeners gain insights into the iterative feedback process and the evolution of adventure games, showcasing the balance between player engagement and innovative gameplay.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Surprising Focus Test Results
- The team ran a formal focus test with dozens of Xbox/Call of Duty players and discovered unexpected investment in Clementine.
- That test taught them that core shooter players can care deeply about narrative if given space to invest.
Use Simple QTEs For Pacing And Feel
- Keep action mechanics simple and resist letting QTEs dominate; use them for pacing and to mirror physical struggle.
- Match immediate art response to input so each press feels kinetically connected to the character.
Responsiveness Beats Elaborate Lead-Ins
- Immediate, short animations tied to player input preserve a one-to-one feel and player ownership of actions.
- That responsiveness required building assets differently than a traditional adventure game.
