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Sean Abigail
Level Design
Narrative Methods for Real Time Strategy Games
My thesis investigated common narrative methods for real time strategy ( RTS ) games , mastering them in a custom StarCraft 2 level while illuminating the origins of the well-known character , James Raynor .
I choose this thesis because it involved two of my greatest passions : RTS and storytelling . I learned so much about both during the last seven months . I was able to work within a game and universe that I have loved since childhood . I studied and followed the first quarter of the Hero ’ s Journey to ensure investment from players and universal appeal .
Testing and documenting the process of the level ’ s creation has enabled me to master the use of certain narrative techniques , such as using event scenes , environmental storytelling , and ambient dialogue . Once the artifact was finished , I was able to publish it on the community network known as Battle . net .
26 LEVEL DESIGN