Directing narrative in gameplay: player interaction in shaping narrative in the witcher 3

Abstract

The overall aim of this research was to explore how players interact with narrative in videogames. This paper reports on results from a diary study over a two-week period while playing one narrative-drive game. An analysis of participants' diary entries suggests that those who engaged in directing narrative activities in The Witcher 3 described their interactions in three key ways: passive interaction, active interaction, and dialogue choices. These results demonstrate the combined narrative structures (linear and branching) in The Witcher 3. The identified interactions also represent the narrative as a gameplay element given how players describe interacting with story element even when completing other activities.