Developers of Civilization 7 released a recent Dev Diary detailing the new Emerging Narratives system that will be at the heart of the next installment of the epic strategy franchise. The system focuses on seamless integration of narrative events into various aspects of the Civilization 7gameplay, whether improving story elements where they existed in previous games or adding them where they never existed before. The narrative events at the heart of this Emerging Narrative system will give players a greater sense of influence across the three different new Eras introduced by Civilization 7giving players' choices more impact on the history of their civilization.
This new story- and narrative-driven approach to 4X strategy games probably won't feel like a huge departure from gameplay in Civil 6, but it will be noticeable as players make choices over time. The choices players make, even at a granular level with narrative options in Discoveries (the new “goodie huts”), will reflect the values and priorities of their civilization and shape the broader narrative players create as they develop their civilizations. These narrative aspects are omnipresent in Civilization 7 and will be apparent throughout each Age. Here's a look at how the Emergent Narrative system will work in Civilization 7.
What are the emergent narratives in Civ 7
History built in layers
The new Emerging Narratives are essentially a reimagined take on the classic Civilization experience that incorporates narrative into all elements of the game, from small narrative decisions that can be made through discovery to larger narrative events that have a substantial impact on the final outcome of the game. This system is intended to create stories that “emerge from choices [players] make and the results of those decisions”, according to 2K Civilization website. Despite concerns about Civilization players about all the new changes that are coming Civil 7, this approach focused on telling stories to Civilization 7 we hope it results in unique player-created narratives for each playthrough.
The core philosophy behind this new system is “History built in layers“, meaning developers of Civilization 7 we want to emulate the historical “layering” that occurs in the real world as civilizations progress and evolve. Rather than being locked into a conventional, linear historical narrative for a single civilization, players will create an original, unique narrative that will allow choices to be based on those players have made in previous Eras. Emergent Narratives are a way for players to feel like their choices matter not just in gameplay, but in telling a broader story about your civilization.
The narrative event system and how it works
Emergent narratives use narrative events to tell unique stories
The new emerging narrative system “monitors key moments in your game – such as battles, technological advances and major achievements – and responds with events adapted to your game.“This means that Civilization 7 will incorporate narrative events that are triggered based on player decisions made during gameplay. Requirements for different events vary depending on leader selection, different civilization choices, or specific moments in the game, such as decisions made for Discoveries. Narrative events tied to individual leaders will reflect historically rich stories from their lives,”like Augustus' urbanization ambitions or Benjamin Franklin's firefighters.”
Most importantly, this system allows for narrative development across the Ages, allowing players' decisions from the beginning of the game to have a greater sense of influence and impact on the overall history of their civilization. Practically, This should result in civilizations engaging in redemption arcsor alternatively, a major fall from grace compared to decisions made during the Age of Antiquity. Adding multiple layers of narrative development is the goal of the Emerging Narrative system and the narrative events themselves. A small decision made in a discovery at the beginning of the game, for example, will contribute to triggering a narrative event that offers unique rewards.
Narrative events and what they mean for gameplay
Narrative events offer a sense of historical immersion
The Emergent Narrative system is designed with “historical immersion” in mind, and the developers are excited about how narrative events will revolutionize Civilization gameplay. Players will experiment and create a cumulative story as they progress through the Ages, a story that takes into account the many decisions players make. Certain narrative events will be much rarer or harder to triggerbut also offer rewards that are “proportional to the difficulty or rarity of the triggers.” Players will only experience “a subset of these narrative events in a single campaign, which helps make each new playthrough unique.”
Linking narrative events to dynamic types of rewards will encourage certain choices over others, depending on each person's strategic approach.
As part of a broader system focused on narrative, narrative events have the potential to alter players' approach to the game as a whole and make them rethink their motivations for each decision. Considering how each choice impacts future possibilities Drastically change the way players strategize, explore, build and develop. Linking narrative events to dynamic types of rewards will encourage certain choices over others, depending on each person's strategic approach. Players will also see narrative events that involve “callbacks” to choices from previous Ages, “referencing events that happened thousands of years ago (in the game).”
Types of narrative events and what they mean for the player's strategy
Narrative events range from discoveries to systemic events
There are many different versions of what a narrative event might look like in Civil 7, but the developers divided them into three broad categories: historical events, what-if scenarios, and unique gameplay moments. They cover the wide range of events that players will experience throughout the ages, and will be directly linked to long-term strategy as civilization evolves. There are also specific types of events linked to Civilization 7of version of “treat booths”, referred to as discoveries, and systemic events that are “recurring gameplay moments, such as crises or gifts of independent powers” – both also have strategic implications.
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Types of Narrative Events in Civ 7 |
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Historical events |
“They highlight big and small story moments that align with your game. You'll see ancient medicinal discoveries, daring prisoner escapes, chariot riots, artistic feuds and huge Mongol armies..” |
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What-if scenarios |
“They explore 'what if' questions unique to the sandbox nature of a Civ game. For example, what might have happened if Ashoka had not been overcome with remorse for the destruction he caused and had instead followed a path of violence? Or what if Xerxes had not been defeated and had successfully completed his invasion of Greece?“ |
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Unique gameplay moments |
“They reflect the choices you make directly in the game, showing the real impact of your actions during each Age. Reaching a Golden Age with certain Traditions active, choosing your Religion beliefs, or suffering damage from wars or weather events can bring narrative events to light..” |
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Discoveries |
“Discoveries are a subset of narrative events that occur only on the map and replace huts from previous games. Instead of a short sentence and a standard reward, you'll have a short snippet of text explaining why you're receiving these rewards. Unlike Goodie Huts, Discoveries can now choose between their bonuses, allowing you to have some influence over your reinforcements early in the game.” |
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Systemic Events |
“Systemic events are recurring moments in the game, such as Crises or gifts from Independent Powers, and use the Emergent Narrative system to add context and personality to game mechanics.” |
The Emerging Narrative system was developed with historical immersion through narrative events as a key component. These different narrative events will be noticeable in all aspects of the game and will lead players to make specific choices that result in unique playthroughs. Although it is unclear to what extent this new system and philosophical approach satisfy Civilization will be for fans of the franchise, it is obvious that the dynamic and engaging narrative was extremely important in the game's development. Fans will be eager to see what unique stories they can craft for themselves when Civilization 7 releases in February.