Having Trouble With Branching Options

[Sleipnir56]

Can someone give me an example of what a good and bad branching option is when you write. I really am having a hard time making good ones. Or maybe someone good give me advice about when is a good time to add them. Would really appreciate it

[SundownKid]

IMO, there are 2 types of options, minor options and major ones. Minor options don't branch the story, but change variables. Major options split the story into a separate path until the end of the game.

You would put minor options in a decision point that would affect your personality, how others see your personality/decisions or a relationship choice. For example, a minor option would be:

Code: Select all

s "We shouldn't land on the moon, it's a waste of money."
menu:
    "That's exactly right.":
         $ pragmatist_points += 1
         j "You're right, we should focus on curing world hunger."
    "You're totally wrong!":
         $ idealist_points += 1
         j "Spending money on earth won't lead to scientific advancement!"

Major options would completely split the story, for example a different romantic choice or series of events:

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s "Are you serious? You want to go to astronaut school?"
menu:
    "I want to go!":
         j "I'm going off to astronaut school for the rest of the game."
         "You went to astronaut school, but dropped out and never accomplished your dream."
         "Game Over"
    "I was joking!":
         j "Of course not, I would never be able to do something like that."
         "You decided not to go but regretted it later."
         "Game Over"

A story could consist entirely of minor options that change the ending based on points. Or it could have a few major options that branch the story in combination with the minor ones.

[Sleipnir56]

IMO, there are 2 types of options, minor options and major ones. Minor options don't branch the story, but change variables. Major options split the story into a separate path until the end of the game.

You would put minor options in a decision point that would affect your personality, how others see your personality/decisions or a relationship choice. For example, a minor option would be:

Code: Select all

s "We shouldn't land on the moon, it's a waste of money."
menu:
    "That's exactly right.":
         $ pragmatist_points += 1
         j "You're right, we should focus on curing world hunger."
    "You're totally wrong!":
         $ idealist_points += 1
         j "Spending money on earth won't lead to scientific advancement!"

Major options would completely split the story, for example a different romantic choice or series of events:

Code: Select all

s "Are you serious? You want to go to astronaut school?"
menu:
    "I want to go!":
         j "I'm going off to astronaut school for the rest of the game."
         "You went to astronaut school, but dropped out and never accomplished your dream."
         "Game Over"
    "I was joking!":
         j "Of course not, I would never be able to do something like that."
         "You decided not to go but regretted it later."
         "Game Over"

A story could consist entirely of minor options that change the ending based on points. Or it could have a few major options that branch the story in combination with the minor ones.

Thank you so much. This helps me with my game and it's really good advice to help me make the right branching choices. Thanks again and I'll work harder on the branching