Gaynor Larrigan

Absent Characters in Environmental Storytelling

"Absent Characters in Environmental Storytelling" is a 2022 Digital Graduate Show project by Gaynor Larrigan, a Computer Arts student at Abertay University.

Synopsis

How can absent characters in computer games be used to promote player exploration and drive environmental storytelling? This project looks at the use of absent characters to produce a story told through environmental art and clusters of assets presented in a game setting. Supporting narrative theories were explored from an environmental artist’s view and used to create a story. Asset clusters were created and purposely placed to support the key beats of the story. The player is invited to explore the world and piece together the asset clusters in their own voice.

Project info

  • Developer Gaynor Larrigan
  • Showcase year 2022
  • Programme Computer Arts

Absent Characters in Environmental Storytelling

Looking at how absent characters can be used to tell a story within environments. The player is invited to explore the world and piece together the story in their voice.

Project Motivation

The games I am drawn to, and return to, tend to have quite a rich element of environmental storytelling. So having the opportunity to delve into narrative and environmental game art was a no brainer when it came to choosing my honours year research topic.

Find out more

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Gaynor Larrigan

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