Time and Space in Digital Game Storytelling

Table 1

Summary of temporal devices discussed that affect narrative and gameplay experience.

Devices for game narrative time	Main forms in games	Function in game narrative	Function in gameplay	Examples cited (selective)
Order; flashback	Dialogue, cut-scene, screen caption, text (e.g., diaries, logs)	Provide information; stylistic/genre storytelling	Game mechanic (e.g., Dagger of Time)	Prince of Persia: Sands of Time; Max Payne
Speed; scene	Appeared in the normal state	Create realism	Create realism	Fable II; Animal Crossing; Assassin’s Creed
Speed; summary; ellipsis	Cut-scene, voice-over, screen caption; Direct cut, screen caption	Increase storytelling efficiency	Increase gameplay efficiency	Fable II; Assassin’s Creed; Max Payne
Speed; stretch	Cut-scene, slow motion	Stylistic/genre storytelling	Game mechanic (e.g., Bullet Time)	Max Payne
Speed; pause	Orientation cut-scene, pause menu	N/A	Orientation; menu option	Prince of Persia: Sands of Time; Assassin’s Creed
Frequency; repetition	Task repetition when died or failed; game replay	Create narrative variation	Ease the challenge; help mastering the skill	Assassin’s Creed; Prince of Persia: Sands of Time
Polychrony	Appeared in all plot structures of games	Create narrative variation; increase interactivity	Create gameplay variation; increase interactivity	Assassin’s Creed; Grand Theft Auto III; Fable II, and so forth