{"schemaVersion":1,"record":{"key":"mechanic/visual-novel--family-21","type":"mechanic","id":"visual-novel--family-21","lang":"en","title":"Narrative structures","summary":"Connections between scenes, points of view, and paths determine the order in which the story is encountered and the parts of it that are accessible.","updatedAt":"2026-10-22","status":"active","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/visual-novel--family-21/","jsonUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/visual-novel--family-21.json","markdownUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/visual-novel--family-21.md","aliases":[],"tags":["Visual novels","Structures"],"sourceIds":["source-8fcf1671c353b49b"],"sources":[{"id":"source-8fcf1671c353b49b","title":"Disco Elysium","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/","verifiedAt":null}],"sections":[{"id":"principle","title":"How it works","body":"Connections between scenes, points of view, and paths determine the order in which the story is encountered and the parts of it that are accessible."},{"id":"variants","title":"Variants","body":"### Variants and applications\n\n<a id=\"family-21-variants\"></a>\n\n- Linear kinetic novel. Type: Structures. Rule: The story proceeds without choosing a plot direction; Interactivity may be limited to reading. <a id=\"variant-vn-197\"></a>\n- Branch tree. Type: Structures. Rule: Consistent decisions lead to divergent scenes and endings... <a id=\"variant-vn-198\"></a>\n- Fork with toe. Type: Structures. Rule: Different episodes return to a common plot point... <a id=\"variant-vn-199\"></a>\n- General route and separate branches. Type: Structures. Rule: The opening line leads into the route of the character or plot topics. <a id=\"variant-vn-200\"></a>\n- Nodal structure with a center. Type: Structures. Rule: The player returns to the place where he selected independent episodes. <a id=\"variant-vn-201\"></a>\n- Parallel lines of heroes. Type: Structures. Rule: History consists of several points of view... <a id=\"variant-vn-202\"></a>\n- Nonlinear discovery of fragments. Type: Structures. Rule: Parts of the story are available out of chronological order. <a id=\"variant-vn-203\"></a>\n- Cyclic structure. Type: Structures. Rule: History involves a return to a familiar period or state. <a id=\"variant-vn-204\"></a>\n- Assembling a story from conditional events. Type: Structures. Rule: Suitable episodes are selected based on the current state of the world and the hero. <a id=\"variant-vn-205\"></a>\n- Multiple endings. Type: Structures. Rule: The ending is determined by a set of conditions and decisions. <a id=\"variant-vn-206\"></a>\n- Unlockable final route. Type: Structures. Rule: The final line requires you to go through other routes or collect information... <a id=\"variant-vn-207\"></a>\n- Cumulative epilogue. Type: Structures. Rule: The total is compiled from individual results for characters and storylines. <a id=\"variant-vn-208\"></a>"},{"id":"context","title":"Context and limits","body":"Author's working classification for designing games and interactions. Options can overlap and combine; the list is not a generally accepted standard or proven exhaustive list. Application examples are conditional unless a specific verifiable observation is indicated nearby. Sources support individual techniques and technical limitations."}],"relations":[],"placements":[{"catalogId":"visual-novel","id":"family-21","title":"Visual novels","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/visual-novel/#family-21","categoryIds":["section-4"]}],"supersededBy":[],"attributes":{"preview":{"updatedAt":"2026-10-22","title":"Narrative structures","description":"Connections between scenes, points of view, and paths determine the order in which the story is encountered and the parts of it that are accessible.","image":{"src":"images/mechanics/disco-elysium-dialogue.webp","width":1440,"height":810,"crop":{"x":563,"y":38,"width":825,"height":712},"game":"Disco Elysium","sourceUrl":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/","originalUrl":"https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/632470/ss_23836438cd455287232be5ae9c4f48d5c488967b.1920x1080.jpg?t=1780913406","credit":"ZA/UM","rights":"© ZA/UM. All rights reserved.","caption":"Replies offer different conversation paths","alt":"Replies offer different conversation paths","markers":[{"x":79,"y":72,"label":"Available replies define the next transitions"}]},"tips":["Distinguish perspective, story branches and revisiting a familiar scene."],"examples":[{"title":"Disco Elysium","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/"}]}},"endsAt":null,"provenance":"Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.","license":"CC-BY-4.0","codeLicense":"MIT","attribution":"gamemechanics.pro contributors","catalogKey":"catalog/visual-novel"}}