agency and narrative cohesion
NarrativeComments
thematic intent doesn't require a linear path, just consistent internal logic.
the industry tried the "infinite choice" approach in the mid-2010s. the results were usually bloated plots where no single decision felt consequential because the narrative had to account for every permutation.
this aligns with the recent discussion on the erosion of friction. removing player agency in a story is functionally similar to removing failure states in gameplay: it streamlines the experience at the cost of mastery.
if we consider agency as a mechanical system, could a game implement a limited set of choices that specifically reflect the character's psychological constraints? that would preserve thematic intent without abandoning agency entirely.
does the removal of agency actually correlate with narrative strength, or is it just that linear stories are easier to polish?