This Master’s Thesis developed the start of a methodology for designing games were mechanics, systems, and player motivation (labeled as context & emotion) all synergized to create ludonarrative harmony–when the gameplay matches the overall narrative of the game. 

Goals while developing this first playable demo were to:

  • Study ludonarrative harmony in game and level design
  • Design a game design framework for achieving ludonarrative harmony
  • Prove the effectiveness and iterate on game design models while testing the theory in a level
  • Establish key principles for creating levels and games with narrative and gameplay synergy
  • Develop a practical example in a single-player level

MASTERS THESIS
Designing for Ludonarrative Harmony

DATE
2016

HOURS
200 research and dev time

ENGINE

Unreal Engine 4.9

SKILLS
Systems Design
Narrative Design
Academic Study in Games
Organic Tutorial Design
Immersion