Morigami: Exploring Control Schemes in Narrative-driven Gaming Contexts

We developed a 2.5D game Morigami that won an Austrian game award and is being prepared to be published at Steam. Our game demonstrates how control schemes, which emphasize the connection between the player and the characters through direct impact of player inputs, can extend beyond gameplay functionality to become crucial elements of the narrative. We present how we developed narrative controls as mechanisms that link player inputs with the game narrative, enhancing emotional involvement and engagement. The game Morigami employs these controls to reflect character development and story progression. A qualitative analysis with players shows that narrative controls can enhance the gaming experience, making narratives more compelling and immersive. This demo paper presents a game and suggests pathways for further investigation into narrative controls across different gaming contexts and underscores their potential in enhancing storytelling in interactive media.