Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
The Three-Act Structure
A car's main components are engineered to convert fuel into forward, con-
trollable motion. Everything is built around this core function.
As covered in the last chapter, the fuel of story is conflict. And as you
might expect, the entire structure of story is built around it.
One of the oldest and best-known story models is the
Three-Act Struc-
ture
. The word “act” might seem to imply that this paradigm only applies to
plays, but don't be fooled. You will find this simple, time-tested foundation
in everything from ancient Greek tragedies to bestselling espionage
thrillers; from Broadway hits to 30-second children's breakfast cereal com-
mercials; from
Casablanca
to the very latest Hollywood blockbuster.
The realization that virtually every fictional work you've ever experienced
shares the same structure may be disconcerting or even dismaying. But
does it really need to be? Does it sadden the Ferrari owner to know that the
internal combustion engine that powers his dream machine is structurally
and functionally similar to the one that powers a rumbling Mack truck? Or a
boxy SUV? Or an Army Jeep? Or a bargain-basement Kia?
Under the hood, nearly all stories are built pretty much the same way.
And that's okay.
