{"id":324,"date":"2025-04-10T22:46:30","date_gmt":"2025-04-10T22:46:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/?p=324"},"modified":"2025-05-15T02:42:31","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T02:42:31","slug":"week-11-story-tutorial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/week-11-story-tutorial\/","title":{"rendered":"Week 11 Story &amp; Narrative"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>As our game contains a significant amount of narrative and cultural storytelling, one of our key goals this week is to fully integrate characters and dialogue into the gameplay experience. This ensures the narrative is not only present but meaningfully <strong>intertwined with mission flow, environment interaction, and emotional progression<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When designing our characters and their dialogue, we consistently ask:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What would make the most sense in the context of real history?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What functional role does this NPC serve in terms of mission progression, navigation, or world enrichment?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What unique piece of information or emotion can this character convey to the player?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-2-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-2 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-width:5px;border-radius:25px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Design Methodology &amp; Pipeline<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Defining<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Defined two core NPC types:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mission-Critical NPCs<\/strong>: Required for progressing gameplay.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>World-Enriching NPCs<\/strong>: Optional, but expand lore and emotional depth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Determined each NPC\u2019s purpose, spawn location, and relationship to the player\u2019s progress.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Creating<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Designed each character\u2019s identity:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Personality, role, game state behaviors, player interactions, animation states, and dialogue framework.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Writing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>All dialogue was written first in <strong>Mandarin<\/strong> to reflect authentic cultural tone and linguistic style.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Translating<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Translations to English maintained the <strong>original emotional tone and cadence<\/strong>, supported by AI-assisted refinement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Implementing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Built <strong>NPC blueprints in Unreal Engine 5<\/strong>, created dialogue trees, state machines, and animation blendspaces.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Placed NPCs into their scenes and began in-engine testing<strong> <\/strong>of pacing, clarity, and visual presence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Two Types of Interactable NPCs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"811\" height=\"263\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-388\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-1.png 811w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-1-300x97.png 300w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-1-768x249.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 811px) 100vw, 811px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Mission-Critical NPCs <\/strong>&#8211; These characters are essential for progressing the main questline. Players must speak to them to receive key information, unlock objectives, or trigger major events.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1585\" height=\"1563\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Weixin-Screenshot_20250501113512.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-354\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Weixin-Screenshot_20250501113512.jpg 1585w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Weixin-Screenshot_20250501113512-300x296.jpg 300w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Weixin-Screenshot_20250501113512-1024x1010.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Weixin-Screenshot_20250501113512-768x757.jpg 768w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Weixin-Screenshot_20250501113512-1536x1515.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1585px) 100vw, 1585px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Diverse World-Enriching NPCs<em> <\/em><\/strong>&#8211; These optional characters exist to deepen the narrative and atmosphere. While not required to complete missions, interacting with them reveals cultural background, personal stories, or environmental lore.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-base-2-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-width:5px;border-radius:24px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Story &amp; Emotional Progression<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To support strong emotional storytelling, we structured the game into <strong>three narrative stages<\/strong>, each associated with different NPC behavior and player emotional response:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Arrival \u2013 Tension &amp; Distance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>NPCs<\/strong>: Cold, cautious, fearful.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Context<\/strong>: Player enters a wartime village as an outsider.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Player Emotions<\/strong>: Unknown, alienated, disconnected, uneasy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Trust Earned \u2013 Recognition &amp; Engagement<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>NPCs<\/strong>: Respectful, curious, interactive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Context<\/strong>: After proving musical talent to the guzheng maker.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Player Emotions<\/strong>: Respected, curious, empowered, connected.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Departure \u2013 Closure &amp; Sentiment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>NPCs<\/strong>: Grateful, warm, hopeful.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Context<\/strong>: Player prepares to leave, villagers gather to say goodbye.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Player Emotions<\/strong>: Rewarded, fulfilled, hopeful, yearning, nostalgic.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-base-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1426\" height=\"854\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-391\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-3.png 1426w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-3-300x180.png 300w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-3-1024x613.png 1024w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-3-768x460.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1426px) 100vw, 1426px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><strong>Dialogue Samples for Mission-Critical NPC Dialogues:<\/strong><br>Provide strong narrative cues that guide the player with clear <strong>goals, objectives, and next steps<\/strong> in the mission.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-base-background-color has-background is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1023\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-2.png 1023w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-2-300x165.png 300w, https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-2-768x423.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1023px) 100vw, 1023px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Dialogue Samples for World-Enriching NPCs:<\/strong><br>Deliver optional, branching conversations that <strong>respond to player inputs<\/strong> and reflect the evolving world state, enriching lore and emotional depth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As our game contains a significant amount of narrative and cultural storytelling, one of our key goals this week is to fully integrate characters and dialogue into the gameplay experience. This ensures the narrative is not only present but meaningfully intertwined with mission flow, environment interaction, and emotional progression. When designing our characters and their [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":394,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-324","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blogs"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/324","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=324"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/324\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":502,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/324\/revisions\/502"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/394"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=324"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=324"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.etc.cmu.edu\/lost-echo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=324"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}