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Interactive Narrative: Twine Game Project

What You’ll Learn In this lesson, you’ll explore the creative world of interactive storytelling by playing a branching-path game and building your own. You’ll learn to think like both a writer and a game designer, using logic, creativity, and digital tools to create a dynamic story that responds to player choices.

What to Expect

  • Duration: 1.5 to 2 days
  • Activities: Playing an interactive game, writing a branching story, learning Twinery software

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Get Inspired

    • Start the class with a “Video of the Day” or a game-related image. Write a story about what might be happening just off the edge of that image.

  2. Play the Game

    • Play The Uncle That Works for Nintendo: Play the Game

    • As you play, take notes on:

      • The choices available to the player
      • Timers and how they affect the story
      • Story tone and writing style
      • Use of visuals and sounds

  3. Learn Twinery

    • Visit Twine Online
    • Start a new story by clicking the green “+ Story” button
    • Name your story (you can use a silly title or something meaningful!)
    • Use the first passage to write a short creepy or funny scenario (your teacher may suggest a starter prompt)
    • Add choices like: [[Ask your mom what's wrong]] or [[Run for the door]]
    • Twine will automatically generate new passages linked to these choices
    • Write what happens next in each new passage

  4. Keep Building

    • Keep adding branches to your story
    • Move the story passages around the canvas to keep things organized
    • Use the “Play” button to test your story as you go
    • Archive your work regularly by clicking the archive link on the story list screen

  5. Publish and Share

    • Once your story is complete, go to the story menu and select “Publish to File”
    • Save the HTML file and submit it to your class folder or digital archive

Why This Matters Creating interactive stories helps you practice decision-making, logic, and creative writing. It also introduces you to digital tools used by professional storytellers and game designers.

Outcome: What You Will Create

  • An original interactive story using Twinery
  • A branching path game with multiple endings
  • A story structure map that shows how your choices lead to different outcomes

Bonus Exploration

  • Does creating multiple paths change or enhance the meaning of your story? How might a traditional author feel about this?