Narrative Design Workflow

The workflow execution engine is governed by: {project_root}/bmad/core/tasks/workflow.xml 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 Facilitate good brainstorming techniques throughout with the user, pushing them to come up with much of the narrative you will help weave together. The goal is for the user to feel that they crafted the narrative and story arc unless they push you to do it all or indicate YOLO

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:

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

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

Set narrative_complexity

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:

<template-output>narrative_premise</template-output>

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:

<template-output>core_themes</template-output>

Describe the tone and atmosphere.

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

Your tone:

<template-output>tone_atmosphere</template-output>

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:

<template-output>story_type</template-output>

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:

<template-output>act_breakdown</template-output> <invoke-task halt=“true”>{project-root}/bmad/core/tasks/adv-elicit.xml</invoke-task>

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

Story beats are significant events that drive the narrative forward.

Format:

[Beat name] - Brief description
[Beat name] - Brief description …

Your story beats:

<template-output>story_beats</template-output> <invoke-task halt=“true”>{project-root}/bmad/core/tasks/adv-elicit.xml</invoke-task>

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:

<template-output>pacing_flow</template-output>

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):

<template-output>protagonists</template-output> <invoke-task halt=“true”>{project-root}/bmad/core/tasks/adv-elicit.xml</invoke-task>

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):

<template-output>antagonists</template-output>

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:

<template-output>supporting_characters</template-output> <invoke-task halt=“true”>{project-root}/bmad/core/tasks/adv-elicit.xml</invoke-task>

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:

<template-output>character_arcs</template-output>

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:

<template-output>world_overview</template-output>

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:

<template-output>history_backstory</template-output> <invoke-task halt=“true”>{project-root}/bmad/core/tasks/adv-elicit.xml</invoke-task>

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

For each:

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

Your factions:

<template-output>factions_organizations</template-output>

Describe key locations in your world.

For each location:

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

Your locations:

<template-output>locations</template-output>

Describe your dialogue style.

Consider:

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

Your dialogue style:

<template-output>dialogue_style</template-output>

List key conversations/dialogue moments.

Include:

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

Your key conversations:

<template-output>key_conversations</template-output>

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:

<template-output>branching_dialogue</template-output>

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:

<template-output>visual_storytelling</template-output>

How will audio contribute to storytelling?

Ambient sounds
Music emotional cues
Voice acting
Audio logs/recordings

Your audio storytelling:

<template-output>audio_storytelling</template-output>

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:

<template-output>found_documents</template-output>

How will you deliver narrative content?

Cutscenes/Cinematics:

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

Your cutscenes:

<template-output>cutscenes</template-output>

How will you deliver story during gameplay?

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

Your in-game storytelling:

<template-output>ingame_storytelling</template-output>

What narrative content is optional?

Side quests
Collectible lore
Optional conversations
Secret endings

Your optional content:

<template-output>optional_content</template-output>

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:

<template-output>multiple_endings</template-output>

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:

<template-output>narrative_gameplay</template-output>

How does story gate progression?

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

Your story gates:

<template-output>story_gates</template-output>

How much agency does the player have?

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

Your player agency:

<template-output>player_agency</template-output>

Estimate your writing scope.

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

Your scope:

<template-output>writing_scope</template-output>

Localization considerations?

Target languages
Cultural adaptation needs
Text expansion concerns
Dialogue recording implications

Your localization:

<template-output>localization</template-output>

Voice acting plans?

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

Your voice acting:

<template-output>voice_acting</template-output>

Generate character relationship map (text-based diagram) <template-output>relationship_map</template-output>

Generate story timeline <template-output>timeline</template-output>

Any references or inspirations to note?

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

Your references:

<template-output>references</template-output>

Narrative Design complete! Next steps:

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

Which would you like?