For my second game idea, I’m planning a narrative-driven Action RPG. This genre appeals to me because it offers plenty of space for players to engage with an immersive story while enjoying dynamic combat and dialogue-driven gameplay. To kick off the ideation phase for this game, I started by writing out a few scenarios and exploring how they might connect.
This is a personal brainstorming method I use whenever I’m working on a new concept. It’s similar to the ‘Crazy 8’s’ approach, but without the 8 minute limit or the need for each idea to be entirely different. Instead, it’s a more relaxed approach where I can generate ideas that can easily be in the same boat, allowing me to focus on what direction would be more interesting and supportive of a strong narrative.
Additionally, it creates something of a skeleton and leaves spaces for me to flesh it out into a strong concept.
Core Idea(?): Person/Society that never sought conflict or violence is suddenly forced to fight for survival.
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Losing Identity: As they are fighting, doing something that they oppose as their last hope for survival, do they become evil/like the force they’re fighting against? Do they lose their way?
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Personal Motive: Overarching goal to reach that pushes the protag on despite adversity.
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Friend to Enemy: Could make for emotional stakes but also practical(?)
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Distraction: While trying to achieve motive/goals, perhaps the protag gets swept up into an affair that doesn’t involve them.
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Another Conflict: Is this affair a completely different conflict?
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Inner Conflict: Through being involved in this affair, perhaps the protagonist learns something which causes them to reflect & question their motives?
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Visualisation on how all of the above connects to each other.