3.5 Storytelling

Overview

Games can tell stories many different ways. Witcher 3 uses extensive branching dialogue sequences. Dark Souls uses a lot more environmental storytelling.

Darkspy uses these 5 storytelling elements:

1. Mission Briefs

• Darkspy uses diegetic mission briefs, similar to Ready or Not‍
• Players receive intel via secure digital dossiers with images, recordings, and maps

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2. Intelligence System

• Features a dossier system inspired by Alpha Protocol.
• Players can collect intel in the form of:
  • Audio logs that offer firsthand accounts.
  • Emails, notes, and classified reports scattered throughout missions.
  • Decryption-based mechanics to access sensitive files.
• This system rewards exploration and provides additional world-building.

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3. Environmental Storytelling

• The environment can tell entire "micro stories" about the people that live there

Final Thoughts

VIDEO: This video is from a GDC talk on Mankind Divided, which has some great direction for environmental storytelling. We are taking a similar approach.

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4. Cinematics

• Darkspy features five key in-engine cutscenes for pivotal story moments:
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  1. Intro – Establishing the protagonist, the world, and the conflict.
  2. End of Act 1 – A major revelation that alters the mission’s scope.
  3. End of Act 2 – A critical moment of betrayal or escalation.
  4. Endgame 1 – The player chooses ending A.
  5. Endgame 2 – The player chooses ending B.

5. Overheard Dialogue

• Players will frequently overhear NPC conversations, which provide:
  • Insight into enemy plans, fears, or conflicts.
  • Hints about mission objectives or alternative paths.
  • Worldbuilding details that flesh out factions and power struggles. television
• Also, a TV in your HQ plays updated newscasts, reflecting the evolving world state. As players progress, broadcasts will report on the fallout of past missions.
  

Darkspy prioritizes gameplay depth and challenge over a heavily scripted narrative. These storytelling elements provide a compelling world without forcing players into long, intrusive cutscenes. The game delivers a rich, evolving narrative through environmental cues, mission briefs, overheard dialogue, and optional intelligence.