Starfinder Season 1
Increase player engagement and maximize episode sales
Process
To achieve this, we implemented a multi-stage development process:
Style Guide Creation: Based on learnings from the pilot episode, I created a comprehensive episode style guide to provide clear direction for the writer.
Iterative Script Review: I reviewed the first draft of each episode, providing feedback to the writer to optimize the narrative and gameplay based on previous learnings.
Prototyping and Testing: Updated scripts were converted into interactive prototypes. These prototypes underwent beta testing, and further revisions were made based on player feedback before the final script was sent for recording and sound design.
Learnings and Implementation
Our development process yielded several key insights that significantly improved the player experience:
Leveraging Episodic Television Structure
The pilot revealed that players perceived Starfinder as a unique hybrid between a game and a story. Player excitement focused primarily on character development and narrative progression, indicating that the strongest driver of long-term engagement was emotional investment in the characters and the world, rather than solely gameplay mechanics. Drawing inspiration from episodic television and storytelling principles, we implemented the following:
Three-Act Structure: We applied a classic three-act structure to each episode and the overall season arc. The episode style guide details the specific goals and content for each act, including a checklist to ensure consistent execution.
Grand Entrances: Instead of introducing characters through exposition from other characters, we adopted a "grand entrance" pattern. Characters are now introduced while performing actions that immediately establish their core personality and role. This replaced less engaging descriptive passages with dynamic, action-oriented scenes, achieving the same character introduction goals more effectively.
Dual Motivations (Objective and Subjective): We moved beyond purely objective goals (e.g., "complete the mission, get money") to incorporate subjective, character-driven motivations. Players initially struggled to connect with characters and NPCs when presented only with objective goals. By adding subjective motivations (e.g., "complete the mission, get money, and prove your worth to the Starfinder Society"), we provided players with a deeper understanding of why their character was taking action. We reinforced these motivations throughout the story, using multiple character perspectives to build emotional investment.
Decision Variety
We discovered that players enjoyed a mix of decision types, and that alternating between these types maintained engagement. We categorized these decisions as follows:
Epic Decisions: These are crucial, branching choices with lasting consequences. Because they require careful consideration of pros and cons, they are used sparingly to maximize their impact.
Tactical Decisions: More frequent and smaller in scope, these choices allow players to choose how to overcome obstacles without long-term story ramifications.
Emotional Decisions: These focus on role-playing, allowing players to define their character's personality through reactions to situations. While they rarely have a major impact on the plot, they are crucial for character development.
Outcomes
Achieved a best-in-class customer rating.
Ranked among the top 5 games on Alexa in both conversion rate and customer lifetime value.
Example content in SFB