Three tips to make your interactive stories awesome

Humans never tire of a tale well told. Throughout the ages, from prehistoric cave paintings to the Bayonetta console game – mankind has been entertaining each other with stories of supernatural encounters, rib-tickling situations, epic adventures, and so on.

Although the magic and charm of a sumptuous old yarn passed orally from person to person will never fade, the interactive possibilities offered by digital media promises storytellers and story recipients multi-sense and immersive appeal.

Everyone loves a good story. And you probably know certain elements that make up a typical story: the characters involved, a storyline, a beginning and an ending. I propose that in addition, there are certain factors you may have missed that you must consider to make your good story a great one.

Here are three tips to make interactive stories memorable, even powerful.

1. THE BACKSTORY

Every good story has a good backstory. What is the premise? What has happened in the past that has led to the present? To think up a plausible back story, imagine a series of flashbacks and what each flashback should be about.

The backstory or stories should provide the reasons why the characters in your story do what they do, are where where they are, and are what they are. Even if your backstory is never revealed to your user, having one will ensure your story is cohesive and consistent in every way.

2. CREATE TENSION

If your story has no villian, you have no hero. If there is no threat of dismal failure, you won’t have the possibility of a resounding success. If there is no dilemma, there is no need for breakthrough.

The Titanic was touted as unsinkable. But an iceberg was its nemesis. Romeo loved Juliet. But their families tore them apart. If the submariner sealed the door that led to a compromised compartment filling up fast with sea water, his fellow sailors trapped in that chamber would drown. If he didn’t, every single person on board would die.

Add tension to your tale or it will be, at best, ignored. And don’t wait too long to introduce it either.

Put your user in the middle of the tension. Let them ‘feel’ it. Is there a decision to be made?

3. REWARD THEM ALONG THE WAY

Thanks to the responsive nature of interactive works, you can encourage users to keep listening to your awesome story by rewarding their continued interest.

For instance, unlock backstories, let them collect knowledge points, hide ‘easter eggs’, or tempt them with a chance to win big fat prizes.

A NICE EXAMPLE

Breaka Island, a microsite I worked on with the team at Cru, is an example of a well-told interactive story. Log onto breakaisland.com.au and discover for yourself the factors of a good story used to great effect.

I end with this quote:

Brands are becoming our friends – on social networks like Facebook, on the messaging site Twitter and through corporate blogs … Brands, too, must lean to establish an identity through storytelling.

Pete Cashmore, CEO, Mashable.com