98
Video Game Design Composition
Develop an Ending Point
After completing several missions, the player eventually can resolve
the primary conflict and end the game. In many games, this involves
defeating the big boss antagonist. All of the missions in the game lead the
player to the battle with the big boss. When this conflict is finished, the
game is over.
In the story of Shrek, the big boss is the tiny character Lord Farquhar.
Shrek completes missions of rescuing Princess Fiona from the tower, battling
the dragon, facing his fear of loneliness, and more. Each mission leads up to
the final defeat of Lord Farquhar at the wedding. When the dragon eats Lord
Farquhar, the primary conflict—trespassers in his swamp—can be resolved and
the internal change where Shrek wants companionship has emerged. In the
end, the trespassers became Shrek’s guests at his wedding celebration. With all
of the conflicts resolved, the story is over.
Recall a story, myth, or legend that you
know. Identify and summarize the moral of
that story. Why do you think this story was
created?
UP!
3.2
Figure 3-8.
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Each mission within a game is a story within the main game story. Each should have rising
action, a climax, and falling action while moving the main game story forward.
Climax
Rising Action
Falling Action
Climax
Rising Action
Falling Action
Climax
R
i
sing Action
Falling Action
Climax
Risin
g Action
Falling Actio
n
Climax
Falling Action
Rising Action
Mission 1 Mission 2 Mission 3 Mission 4
Main Game Story