# What is a game's plot?

> A game's plot is the sequence of story events from setup to resolution; in games, the player's actions move it forward and sometimes change it.

A game's plot is the chain of story events that takes the player from the opening situation to the ending: who the characters are, what conflict drives them, and how it is resolved. What makes plots in video games different from books or films is that the player's actions push the story forward, and in some games the player's choices change what happens.

## The five classic parts of a plot

Most stories, including game stories, follow a structure that writers often split into five stages:

1. **Exposition:** introduces the world, the hero and the starting situation.
2. **Rising action:** conflicts and obstacles grow, and the stakes increase.
3. **Climax:** the turning point, often the final confrontation or biggest revelation.
4. **Falling action:** the consequences of the climax play out.
5. **Resolution:** the conflict ends and the new status quo is shown.

In many games, the rising action matches the main campaign of missions or chapters, and the climax is the final boss or decisive choice.

## How games tell their plot

- **Linear stories:** one fixed storyline, as in many action-adventure games.
- **Branching stories:** choices lead to different scenes or endings, as in Mass Effect, Detroit: Become Human or The Witcher 3.
- **Environmental storytelling:** the plot is pieced together from places, notes and items, as in Dark Souls or Hollow Knight.
- **Emergent stories:** few scripted events; the story comes from what happens during play, as in strategy games or survival sandboxes.

## Plot vs. story vs. lore

The **story** is everything that happens in the game world, the **plot** is how those events are arranged and revealed to the player, and the **lore** is the background history and world-building that surrounds them.

## FAQ

**What is a narrative game?**
A game where the story is the main focus, and gameplay mostly serves to reveal or shape it, such as adventure games and story-driven RPGs.

**What is a plotline?**
One thread of the story, such as the main quest or a character's side story. A game can have a main plotline and several subplots.

**What is the point of a plot in a game?**
It gives the player a goal, motivation and emotional stakes, and connects levels and challenges into a meaningful whole.

**Do all games need a plot?**
No. Puzzle, sports and many multiplayer games work without one, though many still use light story elements for context.

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https://gamevoyages.com/what-is-the-game-s-plot-2/ · Game Voyage · Checked 2026-10-30