The Secret Lives of NPCs - Wayward Strand

Explore the innovative approach to non-player character (NPC) design in this 56-minute conference talk from the Game Developers Conference (GDC). Dive into the world of 'Wayward Strand', a real-time narrative adventure that challenges traditional NPC behavior by creating characters as busy and dynamic as the player. Learn how narrative co-directors Georgia Symons and Jason Bakker structured a world of simultaneous stories to enhance player engagement. Gain insights into their process for crafting an intricately detailed game environment where NPCs lead independent lives, breaking away from the conventional wait-for-interaction model. Discover techniques for developing nourishing narrative experiences that reflect the complexity of real-life interactions in video games.

The Secret Lives of NPCs: 'Wayward Strand'