How do you keep a character feeling human when players can change everything?
In this episode of The Corner of Story and Game, I am joined by veteran narrative designer Emily Grace Buck for a masterclass in crafting emotionally authentic character arcs within branching RPG narratives.
With experience spanning Telltale Games, EA DICE, and a lifetime in storytelling, Emily shares the tools, psychology, and hard-earned wisdom behind creating characters who feel real, even as their paths diverge wildly based on player choice.
🎭 Learn how acting theory informs dialogue writing,🧠 Explore character “rails” that support branching without losing cohesion,📌 Discover how production realities shape narrative scope,💬 And hear why roleplaying games (and Post-it notes!) are invaluable tools for writers.
This one’s for the storytellers, the worldbuilders, and anyone who wants their characters to stay grounded, no matter how wild the narrative ride becomes.
Emily's Links:
-> Substack
-> Battlefield Labs
The Corner of Story and Game:
-> Discord
-> Instagram
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