Massively Multiplayer Games

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• Massively Multiplayer Games
• and
• Interactive Storytelling
• Computer Game Technology Conference 2004
• Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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Why do interactive storytelling?

• Opinions among industry experts will vary.
• Is it worth it?
• How big is the reach?
• What can you expect?

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Why do interactive storytelling?

• MMOGs need interactive storytelling
• Automated missions/quests wont suffice by
  themselves
• Live events are not essential but should be
  attempted regardless.
• Increases player retention
• Promotes community
• Done right, it helps introduce new features and
  breathe life into existing ones

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What do you need?

• Documentation
• Communication
• Tools
• Personnel
• Do you have all of these?
• When you dont have what you need, find a way to
  get it.

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How do you make the story?

• Have a background to fall back on
• Know your audience
• Know what the game developer wants you to
  emphasize
• Know the different approaches you have to tell a
  story
• Know what your resources are

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Common problems

• Dynamic vs. linear stories
• Managing online story newcomers
• Juggling different play styles
• Time zones how do you be everywhere 24/7?
• Available staff

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Dynamic vs. Linear Stories

• Is it possible to tell a dynamic story online?
• What do the players say?
• What do the writers say?
• How to present a dynamic story
• Things you really need to make a dynamic story

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Managing Online Story Newcomers

• New people will always want to get involved in
  your story if it is interesting even if theyve
  never done anything like it before.
• Put story in their face add forums, post news,
  make announcements, make noise!
• Provide scenarios that allow the players to win
  often, but make them challenging

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Managing Online Story Newcomers

• Provide a rich background that allows players to
  spin off and tell their own stories
• Support the players efforts
• Pay attention to what theyre doing
  incorporate, dont replace
• Manage expectations against what is technically
  possible vs. fictionally sound

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Juggling Different Playstyles

• Know what your game has, and know what your
  players prefer
• Players vs. Monsters/Players vs. Environment
  PvM/PvE
• Player vs. Player - PvP

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Juggling Different Playstyles - PvP

• Know how PvP works if its there
• PvP can be done officially, but needs to be
  handled with care
• Let the players do all the fighting
• Developer support is key
• Always pay attention to and respect that there
  are current PvP battles going on that you have
  nothing to do with.

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Juggling Different Playstyles PvM/PvE

• Balance PvM/PvE with PvP stories
• Move PvM/PvE away from PvP activity
• Do not ignore PvM/PvE players in favor of PvP
  players!

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Time zones

• There are never enough hours in the day to be
  everywhere you want to or need to be.
• Involve people outside the game and normal event
  hours
• Use forums effectively
• Create news that is intriguing
• Use puzzles outside the game

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Time zones

• Storytelling vs. general events
• An event is a one time occurrence that happens
  over a time frame of a few hours to a few days
• Events can be tied to storylines but dont have
  to be
• How do you find out what players want to see and
  do during their playtime?
• Support player events, with firm guidelines

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Available staff

• Unfortunately, it is not cost effective to run
  live events all the time.
• Managing the staff you have
• Volunteers should you go there?
• Players like to help
• Volunteer lawsuits are a minefield in the US
• AOL
• Ultima Online

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Power to the players!

• Empower the players of your game to make things
  fun!
• Involve the players on a level that makes them
  special
• Case Study Circuit Court Judges, Jumpgate
• Event Empowered Players

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Event Empowered Players

• Players like to help with official events, and
  can do very well with it if managed carefully.
• What kind of things can they do?
• Where do you find these people?
• Things to watch out for

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Supporting Player Stories

• Players also have their own stories to tell, and
  if given enough support, they can and should do
  that too!
• Give the players the support they need to run a
  story on their own
• Publicity, in game and out
• Support them when they run events and be there
  fast if theres a problem

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Summary

• Know what you have to work with going in
• Pay attention and read a lot
• Learn your audience, and cater to them
• Try new things and learn from failures
• Be flexible and most of all

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• Have fun!