BMAD-METHOD/bmad/bmm/workflows/2-plan/narrative/instructions-narrative.md

Narrative Design Workflow

The workflow execution engine is governed by: {project_root}/bmad/core/tasks/workflow.md You MUST have already completed the GDD workflow This workflow creates detailed narrative content for story-driven games Uses narrative_template for output If users mention gameplay mechanics, note them but keep focus on narrative

Load GDD.md from {output_folder} Extract game_type, game_name, and any narrative mentions

What level of narrative complexity does your game have?

Narrative Complexity:

1. Critical - Story IS the game (Visual Novel, Text-Based Adventure)
2. Heavy - Story drives the experience (Story-driven RPG, Narrative Adventure)
3. Moderate - Story enhances gameplay (Metroidvania, Tactics RPG, Horror)
4. Light - Story provides context (most other genres)

Your game type ({{game_type}}) suggests {{suggested_complexity}}. Confirm or adjust:

Set narrative_complexity

If complexity == "Light": Light narrative games usually don't need a full Narrative Design Document. Are you sure you want to continue?

• GDD story sections may be sufficient
• Consider just expanding GDD narrative notes
• Proceed with full narrative workflow

Your choice:

Load narrative_template from workflow.yaml

Describe your narrative premise in 2-3 sentences.

This is the "elevator pitch" of your story.

Examples:

• "A young knight discovers they're the last hope to stop an ancient evil, but must choose between saving the kingdom or their own family."
• "After a mysterious pandemic, survivors must navigate a world where telling the truth is deadly but lying corrupts your soul."

Your premise:

narrative_premise

What are the core themes of your narrative? (2-4 themes)

Themes are the underlying ideas/messages.

Examples: redemption, sacrifice, identity, corruption, hope vs. despair, nature vs. technology

Your themes:

core_themes

Describe the tone and atmosphere.

Consider: dark, hopeful, comedic, melancholic, mysterious, epic, intimate, etc.

Your tone:

tone_atmosphere

What story structure are you using?

Common structures:

• 3-Act (Setup, Confrontation, Resolution)
• Hero's Journey (Campbell's monomyth)
• Kishōtenketsu (4-act: Introduction, Development, Twist, Conclusion)
• Episodic (Self-contained episodes with arc)
• Branching (Multiple paths and endings)
• Freeform (Player-driven narrative)

Your structure:

story_type

Break down your story into acts/sections.

For 3-Act:

• Act 1: Setup and inciting incident
• Act 2: Rising action and midpoint
• Act 3: Climax and resolution

Describe each act/section for your game:

act_breakdown

List the major story beats (10-20 key moments).

Story beats are significant events that drive the narrative forward.

Format:

1. [Beat name] - Brief description
2. [Beat name] - Brief description ...

Your story beats:

story_beats

Describe the pacing and flow of your narrative.

Consider:

• Slow burn vs. fast-paced
• Tension/release rhythm
• Story-heavy vs. gameplay-heavy sections
• Optional vs. required narrative content

Your pacing:

pacing_flow

Describe your protagonist(s).

For each protagonist include:

• Name and brief description
• Background and motivation
• Character arc (how they change)
• Strengths and flaws
• Relationships to other characters
• Internal and external conflicts

Your protagonist(s):

protagonists

Describe your antagonist(s).

For each antagonist include:

• Name and brief description
• Background and motivation
• Goals (what they want)
• Methods (how they pursue goals)
• Relationship to protagonist
• Sympathetic elements (if any)

Your antagonist(s):

antagonists

Describe supporting characters (allies, mentors, companions, NPCs).

For each character include:

• Name and role
• Personality and traits
• Relationship to protagonist
• Function in story (mentor, foil, comic relief, etc.)
• Key scenes/moments

Your supporting characters:

supporting_characters

Describe the character arcs for major characters.

Character arc: How does the character change from beginning to end?

For each arc:

• Starting state
• Key transformation moments
• Ending state
• Lessons learned

Your character arcs:

character_arcs

Describe your world.

Include:

• Setting (time period, location, world type)
• World rules (magic systems, technology level, societal norms)
• Atmosphere and aesthetics
• What makes this world unique

Your world:

world_overview

What is the history and backstory of your world?

• Major historical events
• How did the world reach its current state?
• Legends and myths
• Past conflicts

Your history:

history_backstory

Describe factions, organizations, or groups (if applicable).

For each:

• Name and purpose
• Leadership and structure
• Goals and methods
• Relationships with other factions

Your factions:

factions_organizations

Describe key locations in your world.

For each location:

• Name and description
• Narrative significance
• Atmosphere and mood
• Key events that occur there

Your locations:

locations

Describe your dialogue style.

Consider:

• Formal vs. casual
• Period-appropriate vs. modern
• Verbose vs. concise
• Humor level
• Profanity/mature language

Your dialogue style:

dialogue_style

List key conversations/dialogue moments.

Include:

• Who is involved
• When it occurs
• What's discussed
• Narrative purpose
• Emotional tone

Your key conversations:

key_conversations

If game has branching dialogue: Describe your branching dialogue system.

• How many branches/paths?
• What determines branches? (stats, choices, flags)
• Do branches converge?
• How much unique dialogue?

Your branching system:

branching_dialogue

How will you tell story through the environment?

Visual storytelling:

• Set dressing and props
• Environmental damage/aftermath
• Visual symbolism
• Color and lighting

Your visual storytelling:

visual_storytelling

How will audio contribute to storytelling?

• Ambient sounds
• Music emotional cues
• Voice acting
• Audio logs/recordings

Your audio storytelling:

audio_storytelling

Will you have found documents (journals, notes, emails)?

If yes, describe:

• Types of documents
• How many
• What they reveal
• Optional vs. required reading

Your found documents:

found_documents

How will you deliver narrative content?

Cutscenes/Cinematics:

• How many?
• Skippable?
• Real-time or pre-rendered?
• Average length

Your cutscenes:

cutscenes

How will you deliver story during gameplay?

• NPC conversations
• Radio/comm chatter
• Environmental cues
• Player actions
• Show vs. tell balance

Your in-game storytelling:

ingame_storytelling

What narrative content is optional?

• Side quests
• Collectible lore
• Optional conversations
• Secret endings

Your optional content:

optional_content

If multiple endings: Describe your ending structure.

• How many endings?
• What determines ending? (choices, stats, completion)
• Ending variety (minor variations vs. drastically different)
• True/golden ending?

Your endings:

multiple_endings

How does narrative integrate with gameplay?

• Does story unlock mechanics?
• Do mechanics reflect themes?
• Ludonarrative harmony or dissonance?
• Balance of story vs. gameplay

Your narrative-gameplay integration:

narrative_gameplay

How does story gate progression?

• Story-locked areas
• Cutscene triggers
• Mandatory story beats
• Optional vs. required narrative

Your story gates:

story_gates

How much agency does the player have?

• Can player affect story?
• Meaningful choices?
• Role-playing freedom?
• Predetermined vs. dynamic narrative

Your player agency:

player_agency

Estimate your writing scope.

• Word count estimate
• Number of scenes/chapters
• Dialogue lines estimate
• Branching complexity

Your scope:

writing_scope

Localization considerations?

• Target languages
• Cultural adaptation needs
• Text expansion concerns
• Dialogue recording implications

Your localization:

localization

Voice acting plans?

• Fully voiced, partially voiced, or text-only?
• Number of characters needing voices
• Dialogue volume
• Budget considerations

Your voice acting:

voice_acting

Generate character relationship map (text-based diagram) relationship_map

Generate story timeline timeline

Any references or inspirations to note?

• Books, movies, games that inspired you
• Reference materials
• Tone/theme references

Your references:

references

Narrative Design complete! Next steps:

1. Proceed to solutioning (technical architecture)
2. Create detailed script/screenplay (outside workflow)
3. Review narrative with team/stakeholders
4. Exit workflow

Which would you like?