The Game
Narrative
Reader

A collection of classic essays and articles about video game narrative design. It is compiled as a resource for students, practitioners, critics, and educators.

This is the Zeroeth Edition, published in July of 2026. Organized and compiled by Bruno Dias.

Volume I: A Theory of Interactive Narrative

• Preface to the Zeroeth Edition

  Bruno Dias, 2026-6-24

• Narrative Mechanics, Narrative Dynamics

  Aaron A. Reed, 2018-10-21

  "Mechanics, Dynamics, and Aesthetics" is a common theoretical framework for understanding game design; this article explores their application to narrative, and the question of what constitute "narrative mechanics".

• A Bestiary of Player Agency

  Sam Kabo Ashwell, 2014-09-22

  What do we really mean when we say "player agency"?

Volume II: Branching Narrative

• TK TK TK

  ,

Volume xx: Process and Production

• How To Make A Plan To Write A Visual Novel In A Month So You Can Finish It In Three And A Half Months

  Aeevee Bee, 2016-3-27

  Explaining the production process of We Know the Devil, and how to build a visual novel structure-first.