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A possible problem in linearity.

9 years ago

So, as I write Shadow over Dawn, the story i've been working on for about roughly six months now, i'm finding a possible problem in how linear its getting. There are plenty of options, but a lot of them lead to death and not real endings. There are some branches that lead several pages, but end up leading to death at the end anyways. There is a lot of content, and I was wondering if that content would make up for a linear story path that has a lot of branching death options that generally have quite a bit of writing in it. They aren't like "You walk into a room and die." type level of stuff, but whole pages.

A possible problem in linearity.

9 years ago
The only type of linearity, possibly similar to what you described, is when I read a story and every page is:

Sure, pick either option you want, any one you want. Oh, but every choice except one is a death page.

If there is branching and a story, I don't think that's a problem, but if it truly forces the reader to take the ONE path, then what's the real point of making it CYS?

A possible problem in linearity.

9 years ago

Alright, it isn't like that. Good to know that's the type of linear that people are thinking of.

A possible problem in linearity.

9 years ago

there can definitely be only one path that leads to victory, but linearity is when as soon as you step off that path you die. if you have branches that lead several pages but kill you anyway, then it makes the story better and harder, not worse (cheaters don't know if they're on the right path)

A possible problem in linearity.

9 years ago

Maybe consider some endings that don't lead to death, just to mix it up a bit?  There's a lot of possibilities for neutral or even losing endings that don't end directly in death after all.