9 Generative Storytelling Games — Part 01

On May 11th of 2022, “9 Generative Storytelling Games — Introduction” was published.

Right below you are the first three games for our three part series.

My hope is that you play these games and, in playing them, enjoy them so very much.

To go along with that, yet another hope of mine is that these games are well-clarified, allowing you to play them and, in turn, reap the benefits of doing so.

Returning To A Lost Moment

Right now, think of a moment in your life.

Just think of a moment and, no matter what it is, allow yourself to revisit it.

As you revisit this moment, consider what might’ve happened if you had made a different choice.

Rather than going to Cambodia, for example — this is just one example, from my life — you went to, say, Peru or, even, Vietnam.

Just allow yourself to consider what might’ve happened.

Take a moment to consider who you would be, if you had made that choice.

Return to another moment in your life.

This time, consider your circumstances and what might’ve happened had your circumstances been different.

Perhaps, the person you were with didn’t break up with you

Perhaps, you remained together for quite some time. Perhaps, you are still together.

Just allow yourself to consider what might’ve happened and what your life might be like.

Right after doing so, select a moment in your life — or, perhaps, an event, or series of events — and create a story that engages with a change in circumstances or a new, unique choice.

Your story can be about any time in your life and involve any choice/set of circumstances.

Since this is a game, the important thing is having fun.

But, at the same time, take this a little seriously — perhaps, that isn’t the right word — and really consider what might’ve happened and what that might’ve lead to.

For something a little trickier, take some time to consider who you would be, right now, given those changes in circumstances/choices.

Consider the ways in which you would see the world, your place in the universe, your family, the people in your life, yourself; and so on and so forth.

Every single element within that, among so many others, serve as the components of a great, and delightfully unique, story that only you are equipped to tell.

Diving Deep Into A Theme

The essence of this game is found in the title above.

Select a theme or concept or character or setting; and so on and so forth.

Right after doing so, produce three unique stories centered around what you’ve chosen.

Outside of the “three stories” rule — really, it can be as many as you like, although three has been, in my experience, ideal — the only other rule is that each story must be at least 100-words.

You can make really, really short stories, if you want.

Or, you can make longer, more elaborate stories.

No matter what, just allow yourself to dive into, and play around with, what it is that you’ve selected and the creative energies moving through your selection.

For a more elaborate description of this game — a unique version, with similar rules, and a few differences, to be precise — you can find my original essay right here.

Perspective & Time

Every moment and event and point in time is rooted in a perspective.

Or, perhaps, a set of perspectives.

Each one of these perspectives is unique, yet valid.

To play this game, you must return to a moment or event or point in time.

You must do so and, then, engage with a perspective.

A unique perspective.

A perspective that is not your own.

You can choose any perspective.

Even the perspective of an inanimate object — a chair, for example — or an ephemeral force — wind or light, to name two examples.

And so on and so forth, infinitely and endlessly; ad infinitum.

The moment or event or point in time can be anything.

A significant historical event.

A point in time of little significance.

A moment in your life that continues to resonate.

Or, at the very least, something along those lines.

You can even transform the very nature of what you’ve chosen, allowing for a new set of unique possibilities to arise.

Or, you can engage with the event as is, just from a new perspective.

The possibilities are limitless.

Conclusion

Each one of these games is meant to be fun and enjoyable, yet fruitful.

Since this is the case, if certain elements of a particular game do not work for you, then please feel free to change them in the ways that you see fit.

Outside of that, though, my hope is that you play these games and enjoy doing so.

Even more than that, my hope is that these games serve as a way for you to engage with your limitless creativity, while also leading to new, and delightful, paths and possibilities.

As always, if you want to reach me, you can do so at “maxwellcakin@gmail.com”.

Best wishes, and have a lovely day!