In order to implement user choice into my narrative, there are different paths in the structure that I need to undertake. An event needs to lead into a choice, which then leads into a choice, and so on, throughout the story. The difference in the structure will reflect how the story plays out to the user.
The first structure form as an event leading to a choice, which results in different outcomes. From each of these outcomes, a choice is presented, which leads to more different outcomes. From this, the user will get a new result from each choice, and no 2 choices result in the same outcome. This furthers the experience, as it provides the most number of outcomes and different routes the user can experience. However, this method leads to the user missing out on the most content as well. As each different choice sends the user a new route, they miss out on all the content from the other routes. Although this content needs to be created, the user will not experience it, unless they go through the story multiple times. This could result in content being made that is never experienced by the user.
The second structure has an event leading to a choice, leading to different outcomes. However, differently from the first structure, these different outcomes feed back into the same resulting event; instead of branching out further. This means that each of the previous events need to end in the same place, to continue on the shared path. This can make it difficult to reflect the user’s choices in key events. However, the different lead ups to the event can change the user’s perspective of them, which can inform their choices after said event. This method has the user making the same number of choices, but also means that they miss out on less content.
The third structure has an event leading into different choices. However, as each event plays out, one allows the story to continue, whereas the other leads to an ending. While this presents the user with choices, making the wrong choice will result in the end of the experience. From this, the story can turn back time to the allow the user to make the right choice, or just terminate the experience as a whole. This will show a large impact of the user’s choices, but make them seem meaningless in terms of the greater story, as there is a set route which cannot be diverted from.
But having elements of all 3 structures, the most diverse story structure can be created. The user will not know what there choice will result in, thus making every choice important. However, this can lead to unsatisfying results for the user on return interactions, as a different story path from multiple choices can lead back around to one made from completely separate choices. This also makes the story more difficult to write, as multiple story paths of diverse choices need to lead up to the same point, making the user’s choices difficult to reflect in the greater narrative.
For my narrative, I believe that the second structure form is the most ideal. This is because it will allow the user to make choices and have them reflected in set ups to big events, whilst keeping key story beats the same for all users. This will allow users to make informed decisions from previous encounters to make there choices and progress through the story in the way they feel is best, without dead ends. The main downside to this structure is that it makes it difficult to reflect the user’s previous choices in the larger experience, as both choices lead to the same path; making the choices seem less impactful.