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Story for Interactive Media - TFT00039C

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  • Department: Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

In this module, you will learn about fundamental storytelling elements, such as plot, character, genre and world-building, as well as storytelling approaches, such as adaptation, in order to understand the components of effective and successful stories. In view of the universality of story, you will first learn about these elements as applied across a wide range of media forms, including cinema, animation and television. In this module, close attention will be further paid to specific applications of interactive media, such as branching narrative paths, user interactivity, co-authorship, interface design etc. Examples and case studies will be deployed throughout the module to illustrate the operation of these story elements in interactive media. Across this learning, you will develop an understanding of the notion of story, its components, and its principles in the creation process of vibrant and exciting interactive media.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2023-24

Module aims

This module will introduce you to the centrality of story and techniques of storytelling in games and other various forms of interactive media.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module you will be able:

  • To understand the centrality of story and storytelling in interactive and non-interactive media
  • To understand the construction and function of the components of interactive storytelling, including game mechanics, interactive narrative structure, story worlds, character development, dialogue and other aspects of interactive and audiovisual storytelling.
  • To gain knowledge of various forms and traditions of storytelling in interactive storytelling
  • To understand how story and story techniques are used to impart information to and emotionally engage with an audience

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

You will receive written feedback in line with standard University turnaround times.

Indicative reading

Brownwen, T. and Page R. (2011). New Narratives: Stories and Storytelling in the Digital Age. Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press.

Cobley, P. (2001). Narrative: The New Critical Idiom. London: Routledge.

Lebowitz, J. and King C. (2011). Interactive Storytelling for Video Games: A Player-Centered Approach to Creating Memorable Characters and Stories. London: Routledge. Marina, G. and Ryan, M. (2010). Intermediality and Storytelling. Berlin: de Gruyter.

Philips, A. (2012). A Creator's Guide to Transmedia Storytelling: How to Captivate and Engage Audiences Across Multiple Platforms. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Zeman, N. (2017). Storytelling for Interactive Digital Media and Video Games. Natick, MA: A K Peters/CRC Press.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.