Storytelling in Theory - The Game Maker's Companion: Game Development - page 192

The Mentor
The mentor serves the role as advisor, teacher, friend, and ally. He gives the hero the knowledge
he needs and often other gifts to help him on his journey. Mentors are hugely important in
games, as they show the player how to play the game and point him in the right direction.
In Toy Story , the shepherdess is a mentor, trying to make Woody see that there is room for
both him and Buzz and that Andy still loves him.
Herald
The herald is the giver of the challenge. He brings the news of trouble ahead. He usually appears
in the “Call to Adventure” stage of the story, because that is exactly what he does. He is the
catalyst for changes and brings news that is impossible to ignore. The herald doesn't have to be
an actual person. It could be a letter or an earthquake even.
In Toy Story , Andy plays this part when he lets Woody know that the birthday party is brought
forward. But the biggest herald is Buzz Lightyear himself, announcing a serious change in
Woody's life as he lands on the bed and amazes all the other toys.
Threshold Guardian
A guardian is simply anyone or anything that stops the hero from going where he wants to go.
Think of the bouncer by the red carpet or the ticket collector in a cinema. He is there to test
whether the hero is worthy enough to pass. The guardian need not be evil, but can have good
intentions too, such as a friend advising the hero against danger, or locking her up to keep her
safe. In games, the most notorious guardians are the end bosses in a level, guarding the
innermost treasures.
In Toy Story , Sid's dog is a worthy guardian, barring the way to freedom as Woody and Buzz
try to escape the house.
Shapeshifter
The shapeshifter is a sneaky customer. Sometimes they will appear to help the hero, sometimes
they work against him. We're not quite certain which side the shapeshifter is on. Shapeshifters
can be dangerous enemies but also very useful allies. A good example even in a very literal way is
Sirius Black in Harry Potter . When he first appears in the story, he is presented as a mad murderer
and a dangerous wolf, but turns out to become one of Harry's best friends.
In Toy Story , Woody believes that Sid's toys are evil, but finds out that they are friendly and
helpful. To some extent, Andy's own toys are shapeshifters too, as they turn on Woody for what
he did to Buzz.
Trickster
The trickster is easy to confuse with the shapeshifter. He can trick and lie and pretend to be
someone else, too. But usually the shapeshifter believes what he does is right, whereas the
trickster is mischievous and often does harm just for the fun of it. He can turn out to be an
accidental ally sometimes, but often he steps in to disrupt the hero's plans purely for his own
amusement. The Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland is such a trickster.
In Toy Story , Sid's sister plays the trickster. She holds Buzz prisoner, forcing him to play the
part of Mrs. Nesbitt and prevents his escape, but later actually helps the toys by scaring Sid with a
doll.