Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will understand the basics of storytelling and character development in video games, and will be able to create their own character and story for an interactive immersive video game.

Materials and Prep

• Access to an interactive immersive video game (any game the student enjoys)
• Notebook or digital document for writing
• Pencil or digital writing tool
• Basic understanding of video game mechanics and storytelling

Activities

• Game Exploration:

  Spend some time playing the chosen interactive immersive video game. Focus on observing the game's story, characters, and the choices you can make. Take notes on what you like and what you find interesting.

• Character Creation:

  Using your notes, create your own character. Think about their background, personality, and what makes them unique. Write a short description of your character, including their goals and challenges.

• Story Development:

  Develop a short story or quest that your character could go on. What challenges will they face? What choices will they have to make? Write a brief outline of your story, focusing on the beginning, middle, and end.

• Share and Discuss:

  Present your character and story to a family member or friend. Explain your character's motivations and the story's plot. Get feedback and discuss what could make it even better!

Talking Points

• "What do you think makes a character interesting? Is it their backstory, their personality, or something else?"
• "How do choices in games affect the story? Can you think of a time when a choice you made changed what happened in the game?"
• "Why is it important for a character to have goals? How do those goals drive the story forward?"
• "What challenges do you think are important for a character to face? How do those challenges help the character grow?"
• "How can you use your own experiences to create a character that feels real and relatable?"