GUIDE TO VIDEO GAME AND INTERACTIVE NARRATIVE ASSIGNMENTS
Literature Assignment
Assignment:
We have just finished reading The Great Gatsby. In this assignment, you will rewrite the ending to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic tale. Think creatively about the choices each character could have made and how it might have changed the story, then create a short Twine game illustrating your new ending.
What would have happened if Gatsby hadn’t let Daisy drive? If Daisy had gone away with Gatsby? If Tom had ended his affair with Myrtle? If Nick hadn’t gone to work on the day of Gatsby’s death? These are some of the questions you may consider when planning your story.
Browse the tutorials and example stories below to get an idea of what kind of games you can make.
Write your story using Twine.
You can use any character from The Great Gatsby as the “player;” you don’t have to use Nick simply because he narrates the novel but are welcome to choose him.
You must incorporate player choices into your story.
Create a story that has three distinct endings that are determined by the player’s choices. Be creative! Choices can lead directly or indirectly to the endings.
Submit your story to Canvas.
Export your story as a .html file and submit it to canvas.
Students might encounter the following questions through this assignment:
How is an interactive narrative different than a traditional essay? How is it different from a traditional short story?
What is the benefit of branching narratives? What are the drawbacks?
How complex should my story be? Do I want to explore multiple plot lines in my story, or just have players select a few details in a story that stays consistent each time they read it?
How much should player decisions affect the story? Will they all reach the same ending no matter what choices they make, will each choice have a little bit of impact, or will each choice take the story in a totally new direction?