Narrative Design in Avowed
Updated: December 31, 2025
Summary
This video dives into the narrative design of A Vow at Obsidian Entertainment, emphasizing the significance of player agency in shaping the game's narrative and character decisions. It explores the collaborative process between narrative and art teams to create a cohesive storytelling experience, as well as the incorporation of verticality and environmental design to enhance gameplay. The discussion also covers the rich lore and world-building elements in A Vow, offering insight into the immersive game world with a focus on choices, consequences, and player agency.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction to Obsidian Entertainment Interview
Player Agency in Game Design
Designing Regions and Open Zone Structure
Collaborative Design Process
Character Design and Storytelling
Verticality and Environmental Design
Innovative Concepts and Team Collaboration
Lore and World Building
Gameplay Experience and Player Choices
Introduction to Obsidian Entertainment Interview
An introduction to the interview about narrative design at Obsidian Entertainment and A Vow, featuring Kate Dollarhyde, the narrative designer, and Barto Riter, the region director at Obsidian.
Player Agency in Game Design
Discussion about the importance of player agency in game design and how it influences the narrative and character choices in A Vow.
Designing Regions and Open Zone Structure
Exploration of the design process for regions in the game, focusing on the open zone structure and how regions are designed to lead players through the narrative.
Collaborative Design Process
Insights into the collaborative design process between narrative and art teams to create a cohesive storytelling experience in A Vow.
Character Design and Storytelling
Discussion on the involvement of narrative in character design, story development, and world-building to create a compelling narrative experience in the game.
Verticality and Environmental Design
Exploration of the emphasis on verticality and environmental design to enhance gameplay experiences and provide a sense of depth and exploration in A Vow.
Innovative Concepts and Team Collaboration
Discussion on innovative concepts and the collaborative effort within the team to bring new ideas and concepts to life in the game world of A Vow.
Lore and World Building
Insights into the rich lore and world-building aspects of A Vow, ensuring a well-developed and immersive game world for both new and existing players.
Gameplay Experience and Player Choices
Overview of the gameplay experience in A Vow, highlighting the variety of choices, consequences, and player agency that shape the narrative and quests in the game.
FAQ
Q: What is the significance of player agency in game design?
A: Player agency refers to the ability of players to make meaningful choices within the game world that impact the narrative and character development.
Q: How do regions in A Vow utilize open zone structures to guide players through the narrative?
A: Regions in A Vow are designed with open zone structures to provide players with opportunities for exploration and discovery, while also subtly directing them through the main storyline.
Q: How do the narrative and art teams collaborate to create a cohesive storytelling experience in A Vow?
A: The narrative and art teams at Obsidian Entertainment work closely together to ensure that the visual elements of the game complement the narrative, creating a seamless and immersive player experience.
Q: Why is verticality and environmental design emphasized in A Vow?
A: Verticality and environmental design are emphasized in A Vow to enhance gameplay experiences, provide players with a sense of depth and exploration, and make the game world feel more immersive.
Q: What role does narrative play in character design, story development, and world-building in A Vow?
A: Narrative is intertwined with character design, story development, and world-building in A Vow to create a cohesive and compelling narrative experience for players, enriching the game world and storyline.
Q: How does A Vow incorporate a variety of choices, consequences, and player agency to shape the narrative and quests?
A: A Vow offers players a diverse range of choices and consequences that shape the narrative and quests, allowing for personalized gameplay experiences and multiple story outcomes based on player decisions.
Q: What efforts are made to ensure a well-developed and immersive game world in A Vow?
A: A Vow focuses on rich lore and detailed world-building to create an immersive game world that appeals to both new and existing players, providing a deep and engaging gameplay experience.
Q: How does the team at Obsidian Entertainment bring innovative concepts and ideas to life in the game world of A Vow?
A: The team at Obsidian Entertainment collaborates to bring innovative concepts and ideas to life in A Vow, fostering a creative environment where new gameplay mechanics and storytelling elements are continuously explored and refined.
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