Creating Narrative for a Mobile Game – A Case Study from Bermuda Adventures

Contents:

• Media Trends
• Gaming Trends
• Teamwork
• The Birth of Images and Characters
• Diversity Revisited
• Challenges for Bermuda Adventures

The author of the fantasy trilogy "The Fox's Hall", published by AST Publishing House from 2016 to 2018, created a unique world that attracts the attention of readers. The trilogy combines gripping storylines, vibrant characters, and deep mythology, making it engaging for both genre fans and new readers. The books in the series have received positive reviews and become popular among fantasy lovers, a testament to the author's mastery of compelling literary creation.

In 2020, I joined the Belka Games team as a Junior Narrative Designer, deciding to make a radical career change. Previously, I was managing a team of 20 people, and the transition to a new position was a real challenge.

Polina initially focused on narrative launches on RnD projects, and then moved on to process optimization at Bermuda Adventures. Within this project, she is responsible for creating the game world, developing characters, forming a relationship matrix, and developing the global plot. Her experience and skills in narrative design contribute to the creation of an engaging and deep gaming experience.

Launching a new game is a complex and exciting process for the entire team. Some stages are standardized and follow established templates, while others emerge from collaborative efforts, literally "pulling" out of thin air. Particular attention is paid to narrative, which involves creating an entire world based on a single core idea. Effective narrative development not only enriches gameplay but also strengthens player engagement, creating a memorable experience.

In September, Belka Games launched Bermuda Adventures internationally. I oversaw the narrative throughout the development process and continue to work on it. In this article, I will discuss how we created the game's unique world, the approaches we used in character development, and the importance of considering the diverse interests of the target audience.

Media Trends

Players don't exist in isolation. They actively consume content, including Netflix series, participate in American Idol voting, and discuss various topics in Facebook comments. To successfully attract the attention and interest of players, it is necessary to closely monitor current media trends. Understanding their preferences and interests will allow us to more effectively engage with this audience and create engaging content.

The Narrative Department analyzed the most popular shows in the US, which represent the core of our target audience. We identified key themes and identified markers that have remained relevant over the years. These elements can form the basis for developing our game concept, ensuring its appeal and relevance to user interests.

Series about emergency services, including firefighters, police officers, and doctors, consistently rank high in the ratings. These stories of saving lives remain in demand and relevant, as they contain elements of heroism and romance. Each new project not only continues the traditions of previous ones but also introduces fresh plots and emotions, which makes them attractive to viewers. Interesting characters, tense situations, and moral dilemmas allow the audience to delve deeper into the world of these professions, evoking empathy and admiration.

Mass audiences are keenly interested in mysteries and enjoy solving them, even in familiar settings. In 2019, the show Masked Singer premiered on Fox. At first glance, the concept may seem dubious: famous and lesser-known performers compete for victory, hiding their faces behind life-size puppets. The question arises: why do we need another format like The Voice? However, six seasons have already been released in three years, attesting to the show's popularity. Intrigue and the element of surprise keep viewers glued to their screens and contribute to growing interest in the show.

There are many family shows that explore the everyday struggles and dramas of ordinary people. Such programs include, for example, Modern Family, The Conners, The Goldbergs, and others. These series not only entertain viewers but also raise important social issues, reflecting on the everyday lives of families. They show how ordinary people cope with various difficulties, which makes them relatable and understandable to a wide audience.

As part of the Bermuda Adventures project, we identified key trends that are significant for our industry. These points will help us better understand current trends and adapt strategies for success.

• Family projects will always be popular and never tire. They have the broadest audience – viewers project family shows onto their lives and enjoy such immersion.
• Conservative audiences love riddles and secrets, but without delving into the occult and mysticism. This line is very fine, and accidentally crossing it threatens to lose viewers or players.
• Comedy is as popular as drama and reality shows. This genre allows viewers to quickly get a dose of good humor. And this is the perfect goal for a casual game.

Trends in

Belka Games has implemented an effective practice of analyzing various games and sharing the acquired knowledge within the team. This approach helps us identify unfilled niches in the market. We strive to understand which games users have not yet played, which solutions remain in demand but have no offers, and in which segments we can take a leading position. This analysis allows us to stay one step ahead of the competition and offer unique products that meet player needs.

This analysis helps maintain a high level of engagement for the entire team and allows us to stay abreast of the latest trends. It is especially useful for newcomers, helping them clearly define the boundaries: what is acceptable, what is considered informal, and what players like.

When launching Bermuda Adventures, the company already had a successful project – Funky Bay, a farm and expedition game. However, we decided to delve deeper into new trends in this genre. This approach is extremely important, as we cannot limit ourselves to our own product. The market is constantly changing and developing, so it is necessary to constantly monitor these changes and adapt to them.

Collective

Games at Belka Games are created in the R&D (Research & Development) department. Ideas for initial development are generated within the narrative team based on market and media analysis. I approached the head of the R&D department and the producer with this list, confident that their experience and professionalism would help identify promising concepts and weed out less successful ones.

Not all ideas make it to the implementation stage, and that's why it's important to trust the team and their professionalism. We considered various storylines, such as a story about a mad scientist who creates a time machine and sends his family to the Bermuda Triangle, or about a group of aliens who crash on an archipelago. We also considered a plot about a plane carrying scout children and their counselors who survive a plane crash and find themselves in survival situations. However, only the family setting made it to the final cut—and that's okay. During our daily work, we screen numerous options, and it's important to avoid subjective judgments like "like it or not." We select the strongest ideas and develop them using a fresh perspective on the narrative, allowing us to refine the project.

At RnD, we received valuable recommendations that help optimize processes and improve results. These tips are based on data analysis and practical experience, making them particularly useful for implementation in various projects. We continue to collect and analyze information to provide relevant recommendations that promote business development and efficiency.

Of course, I am available to help with text revisions. Please provide the original text you wish to edit.

We tested this approach and were pleased with the result. Why not discuss important topics such as ecology, generational conflict, and the perception of femininity in different families during expeditions? We can share these issues without imposing our point of view, but rather giving players the opportunity to independently reflect and form their own opinions. This will not only enrich the participant's experience but also help deepen their understanding of current social issues.

Focus on creating a family atmosphere in the game. This will help attract players of all ages and strengthen the bonds between participants. Maintaining a friendly and supportive environment fosters better interaction and increases interest in gameplay. A family-like atmosphere makes the game more appealing and comfortable, which in turn contributes to increased player engagement and retention. Bermuda Adventures offers a unique gaming experience that shouldn't be confused with traditional adventure games about piracy or tropical exploration. The plot centers on a family saga that explores the continuity of generations and the importance of family ties. Players will be immersed in a world where family relationships and mutual support play a key role, creating a deep and touching story that addresses important themes. Embedding diversity and cultural representation in the gaming industry is a key step toward creating a more inclusive and multifaceted gaming experience. Diversity in characters, storylines, and cultural elements allows players to see their unique stories and identities reflected. This not only enriches the gameplay but also fosters a broader understanding of different cultures among players. Integrating diverse elements into games helps attract a wider audience and strengthen developers' market positions by creating games that resonate with a wide range of people, regardless of their cultural or social background.

I'll provide more information on this subject later.

The Birth of Images and Characters

Once we'd decided on the approach to describing the story and selected the key trends, it was time to create our protagonist. This role is played not by an individual character, but by an entire family who, by a strange coincidence, found themselves in the center of the Bermuda Triangle. This unusual place will become the backdrop for their adventures, full of mysteries and surprises, which will allow us to further explore the themes of interaction and survival in extreme conditions.

In our work, the central figures are businessman Steve, his housewife Jenny, and their energetic daughter Sandy. Each of the characters embodies unique comic traits. Steve, passionate about entrepreneurship, dreams of starting a business even in remote Bermuda. He struggles to accept the loss of his status as the owner of a large company and the need to perform physical labor. Meanwhile, Jenny is dissatisfied with the chaos that reigns in their lives: in her familiar city life, crabs don't steal food, and her daughter doesn't have to pick them up from a palm tree every day. This contrast creates fertile ground for comical situations and striking moments that engage viewers and make the plot engaging.

The characters' comedic qualities open up opportunities for growth and development. Understanding the family's new needs leads the characters to gradually overcome their weaknesses and become better with each level. This creates a dynamic and engaging story where comedy serves as a catalyst for change and self-improvement.

Each of our heroes has unique characteristics, and there are currently 16 of them. For example, each character has their own strengths and weaknesses, which make them memorable and interesting to the audience. These characteristics not only distinguish them from others but also create the opportunity for deep interaction with users. We strive to develop their stories, deepening their personalities and adding new elements so that each hero becomes part of a captivating narrative.

• the imperious great-grandmother will have to understand that times are changing - not every girl in the Jones family is thrilled with manners and adherence to etiquette;
• the eternally anxious Aunt Mary will have to overcome her fear of the big world and learn to befriend its inhabitants;
• the self-confident cousin Tom, who is learning the basics of camping on YouTube, must learn to survive in a real, not a computer-generated, jungle.

And again about diversity

Using family as the main characters is a good choice. Family members can vary significantly in personality, desires, and aspirations, and also represent different cultures and nationalities. However, at the heart of their relationships, as in any family, are acceptance and understanding. This resonates with our values ​​at Belka, where we have a close-knit multinational team. Our strength lies in the shared values ​​we share, despite our differences. One of our goals is to convey through play the message that unity in diversity is real and possible.

The Jones family tree includes proud matriarch Cornelia, who has roots in Africa, and cousin Tom, a millennial blogger living in the Philippines. They also include their niece, Arin, a charming Korean teenager. This diversity of cultures and histories makes the Jones family unique and engaging.

This model represents a large family where every character is valued and loved. Diversity is expressed not only in skin tones or countries of origin, but also in age categories. We sought to emphasize that both elderly characters and children, office workers and housewives, passionate youth and hard workers deserve respect. Family is the common equalizer that allows people to see each other without bias.

Challenges for Bermuda Adventures

Despite a successful global launch, the game still has much room for improvement. Entering the international market revealed weaknesses that require refinement and strengthening. We receive feedback daily from a large number of players, which allows us to respond to their needs faster and more effectively than any focus group.

We are currently actively working on improving the overarching plot so that the game's story more effectively connects the expeditions and adventures of the heroes on the farm island. After the soft launch, we realized that we initially did not provide players with enough information about the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle. This will also be corrected in the coming updates. We strive to create a deeper and more engaging narrative that will allow players to better immerse themselves in the game world and understand its mysteries.

Edits are a vital incentive for increasing our productivity and an integral part of our workflow. I fully agree with the statement that the pursuit of perfection can hinder the achievement of good results. If we had tried to achieve perfection from the very beginning, it is likely that we would still be at the stage of choosing an idea for launch. A focus on continuous improvement and a willingness to make changes allows us to move forward and achieve success.

Bermuda Adventures is a young project in the gaming world, and we have a lot to learn. However, if we stay on course, listen to market needs, monitor media trends, and rely on the experience of our colleagues, we can continue to create a product that will delight players around the world. Our goal is not only to develop the game but also to provide a high-quality gameplay experience that will meet user expectations and foster their engagement. We are confident that, based on the feedback and wishes of our audience, we will be able to reach new heights and strengthen our position in the market.