How to Write a Gamebook - Part 5: Character

For first-time gamebook writers, I share some tips on creating characters for your campaign (both player and non-player), as well as exploring how environment can immerse the player in your world and help to tell the story.

[@maxelcomrade]

CD Projekt did a great job with Geralt in the Witcher video game series (especially the third game), taking advantage of the "already existing character and motivations" from the books that characterized him beforehand. Despite this, you still have a lot of choices and options about how you want to play him. This is a significant difference in Western RPGs, which are influenced by the freedom of choice inherent of tabletop RPGs. JRPGs, on the other hand, don't typically feature impactful choices (if there are any), but rely on a strong predetermined narrative. It's also interesting to see the limitations of some languages (particularly Indo-European ones) in game book writing. For a blank character, it would be challenging to give the choice of gender without using gender-neutral pronouns like the "singular they" all the time, which feels unusual. Video games are more versatile in this regard. A good example of emotional connection with NPCs made through gameplay, even if not directly applicable to game books, is the famous Fire Emblem series. Each character fighting for you has a background story, relationships with other characters that can change over time and battles, motivations, and so on. But there is permadeath, so if one dies because of your tactical mistakes, you really feel the burden of that loss on the rest of the game with a character that you have emotionally bonded with over time. Regarding environmental storytelling, it can be linked to your video about choice, with the interesting example you gave of the forest road with all the descriptions. (Also about consequences, entry 636 of TLoS is pretty funny lol) Huge thanks for the DestinyQuest series, it's really incredible! And thanks for these videos! I don't think I will ever write a game book, but it's interesting to see how you manage to make the most out of your medium given the many limitations that you have to deal with. Great respect to all game writers, book writers, and game book writers out there!

[@destinyquestgame]

Thanks for the awesome words and sharing your insight. Yes, I agree that if you go down the 'blank character' route it makes it more difficult when writing dialogue and creating npc interactions. In Raiders of Dune Sea (and Wrath of Ragnarok) I went with a male character (to make that aspect easier - and for important story reasons, actually), but he is still a 'blank/nameless' canvas for a reader to develop as they wish. Never played Fire Emblem. I think I'd end up in therapy by the sounds of it! I can't even stand to lose one of my named/customized squad mates in XCOM. I have to reload! ;-)