British studio Inkle has published The Game Narrative Kaleidoscope, a collection of more than 100 essays on game writing and narrative design. Contributors include Prince of Persia creator Jordan Mechner and Tomb Raider writer Rhianna Pratchett, among many others. The book adopts a non-linear structure inspired by Choose Your Own Adventure titles, allowing readers to navigate essays in any order.
Inkle, known for titles such as Heaven's Vault, 80 Days, A Highland Song, and Expelled!, released The Game Narrative Kaleidoscope this week. The book gathers insights from game writers and narrative designers who shape interactive worlds. Notable contributors feature Mary Kenney, who worked on Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales and leads narrative on Marvel's Wolverine, as well as writers from Baldur's Gate 3, Control, Call of Duty, and Sam & Max projects. Each essay offers concise advice, with cross-references suggesting related reads, mimicking interactive fiction paths. Jordan Mechner emphasizes that games center on player actions: 'A game is what the players do.' Mary Kenney addresses audience toxicity post-GamerGate, writing, 'What happens when the player fucking hates you?' and reflecting, 'I don't know when I'll trust the player again,' while noting her current role on Cyberpunk 2. Christine Love discusses effective evil choices in games, stating they should surprise players and generate drama. Adam Heine, a veteran of Planescape: Torment and Torment: Tides of Numenera, expresses reluctance to include cruelty options amid real-world politics. Pete Stewart of Respawn Entertainment advocates leaving narrative gaps for player imagination, as in Jedi Survivor. Alex Epstein highlights mysteries to make worlds feel alive. The book is available in various editions from Inkle's website, alongside a companion podcast interviewing contributors.