A New Method of Fragmented Narrative

The problem of traditional Fragmented Narrative in game:

1. Scattering, various and wordy narrative of information

The unimpressive is the main problem to solve for any types of Fragmented Narrative. Scattering information is the main characteristic of Fragmented Narrative, which needs players to collect, connect and analyze. However, various fragments and wordy information often give players an exhausting  experience. Actually, image information are more impressive than text information, because image information are more likely to let people see the connection between images. Using more image information to narrate is what I want in Fragmented Narrative.

How we memory work:

2. Some fragmented information can be overlooked by player

Unlike linear narrative, most of Fragmented Narrative is not able to attract player to find and read them, which make them can be overlooked easily. How to make player notice carrier of Fragmented Narrative (items, scenes, enemies, skills) is a problem need to be solve. Therefore, as I thought, players need guide(passive) and stimulation(active). NPC, signal, word... all of these can be guide, the aim of guide is to let the player find fragmented information, which is passive. The stimulation is that making player generate demand of information, causing player to find relevant information actively. In other words, we need something can catch sights of player and guide them go ahead. 

 

A New Method: Time Backtracking 

Time Backtracking, which means that going back to an earlier time point of items, scenes or people, can be a more vivid, impressive, attractive way of Fragmented Narrative.

broken items: 

1. Less words and more images

In the example, Time Backtracking can make player see the undamaged appearance of items. Compared with describing by text, Time Backtracking with less words and more images would make people easily to read and understand. Furthermore, it's more impressive.

2. Attracting and guiding players to watch and read them step by step

The connection between undamaged items and broken items would make players to explore the process of breaking these items. Broken items are relatively powerful images to attract players to focus on them. When items catch player's sight, Time Backtracking should guide player do the next step, for example, using the Ability of Time Backtracking to items. Fragmented information can be hidden in the process of Time Backtracking and the result of Time Backtracking.

Another way of storytelling: Narrative Duality