Student Handout — Branching Narratives & Choice Architecture

Choose Your Own Adventure — Branching Storytelling Handout

Student-facing handout from the Storytelling Unit. Complete your response in Google Classroom.

Overview

In this project, you will design a branching narrative inspired by Choose Your Own Adventure (CYOA) books. These stories allow the reader to make choices that change the direction of the plot. Game narratives work the same way: players make decisions, and the story responds.

This handout will guide you through creating your own branching story structure that will later become part of your Game Design Document (GDD).

What Is a Branching Narrative?

A branching narrative is a story that changes based on the choices the reader or player makes. Instead of one fixed path, the story splits into multiple possible outcomes.

Key Features

• Decision Points: Moments where the reader chooses what happens next.

• Branches: Different paths the story can take.

• Consequences: Outcomes that depend on earlier choices.

• Player Agency: The feeling that the player controls the story.

How CYOA Books Work

In a CYOA book, you might read something like:

"If you open the mysterious door, turn to page 47. If you walk away, turn to page 12."

Each choice leads to a different page, creating a branching structure. You will build a similar structure for your game narrative.

Your Task

You will create a branching narrative based on an existing game story. You will:

1. Identify a key decision point in the original story.

2. Write two or more alternate branches.

3. Create consequences for each branch.

4. Map how game mechanics support each branch.

5. Build logic statements and truth tables for your choices.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Choose Your Base Story

Pick a game with a clear narrative arc. Examples:

• Portal

• Celeste

• Undertale

• Oxenfree

Step 2: Identify a Decision Point

Find a moment where a character could reasonably make a different choice.

Step 3: Write Two Branches

For each branch:

• Describe what happens.

• Explain how the conflict changes.

• Identify new stakes.

Step 4: Create Consequences

Each branch should lead to a different outcome.

Step 5: Add Game Mechanics

Explain how mechanics support each branch.

Step 6: Build Logic Statements

Use if/then logic to show how choices affect outcomes.

Step 7: Create a Truth Table

Show how different combinations of choices lead to different endings.

Vocabulary

• Branching Narrative: A story with multiple paths.

• Decision Point: A moment where the player chooses.

• Outcome: The result of a choice.

• Player Agency: The player's ability to influence the story.

• Mechanics: Rules and systems that shape gameplay.

• Boolean Logic: True/false statements used in coding.

• Truth Table: A chart showing how logic choices lead to outcomes.

Example Structure

Decision Point

The hero finds a locked door.

Branch A: Open the Door

• Outcome: The hero discovers a hidden room.

• Mechanics: Requires a key item.

• Logic: If player has key → open door.

Branch B: Walk Away

• Outcome: The hero avoids danger but misses a clue.

• Mechanics: No item required.

• Logic: If player does not have key → cannot open door.

Final Deliverable

Your final branching narrative should include:

• A clear decision point

• At least two branches

• Defined outcomes

• Mechanics integration

• Logic statements

• A truth table

This will become part of your Game Design Document.

Tips for Success

• Keep choices meaningful.

• Make consequences clear.

• Ensure branches feel different.

• Use mechanics to reinforce story themes.

• Test your logic for consistency.