Storytelling is a fundamental human activity. Stories have the power to teach, entertain, and connect people across cultures. This deep human need to share stories doesn’t stop when we grow up – just look at the popularity of books, movies, and TV shows. But what if you want to take a more active role in creating stories, even beyond crafting the perfect speaker bio? This is where storytelling games come in.
Storytelling games offer a structured yet playful way to tell imaginative tales. They provide a framework, a set of rules, story elements and sometimes even prompts, sparking your creativity and helping you to think outside the box. They can be simple enough for young children to grasp or complex enough to challenge seasoned role-players and storytellers. The beauty of storytelling games is that they bridge that gap between the passive consumption of a game and the active creation of a story.
Types of Storytelling Games
There are many flavors of games, depending on the specific storytelling game. We can categorize them into several key categories:
1. Collaborative Card Games: Weaving Tales Together
Games like Once Upon A Time, which debuted in 1994, are all about collaboratively building a narrative. Players take turns playing cards with various fairy tale elements, creating a unique and often hilarious story together. Another fun example in this category is Gloom, a game where you guide a family of eccentrics through a series of humorous misadventures, competing to craft the most amusingly tragic tale.
2. Legacy Games: Unfolding a Story Over Time
Legacy games introduce the exciting element of permanence. As you play, your choices directly impact the game world, altering the rules and even the physical components for future sessions. Think of it like your favorite book series, but you’re the one making the important decisions. One of the most well-known legacy game series is Pandemic Legacy, where you work together to stop the spread of deadly diseases, facing new challenges and twists with each playthrough.
3. Role-Playing Games: Stepping Into New Worlds
RPGs allow you to fully inhabit a character within a vibrant world, usually overseen by a game master. Think Dungeons and Dragons, but storytelling games like this genre encompass everything from fantasy epics to sci-fi adventures. You might find yourself fighting dragons, negotiating treaties with alien races, or solving mysteries in a steampunk city. These games demand creativity, problem-solving skills, and a dash of improv acting, since you never quite know what challenges await.
4. Storytelling Card Decks: Portable Prompts
Looking for something a little less involved but equally creative? Storytelling card decks, like Storymatic Kids cards or eeBoo Tell Me a Story Cards, provide a quick and easy way to spark your imagination. Each card offers a word, phrase, or image to use as a springboard for a story, a poem, or even just a quick writing exercise. They’re perfect for road trips, waiting rooms, and those moments when you need a little creative boost.
5. DIY Storytelling Games: Unbridled Creativity
Remember those rainy afternoons spent crafting elaborate games with cardboard boxes and markers? That inventive spirit translates beautifully to DIY storytelling games. This can be as simple as writing prompts on scraps of paper or as elaborate as creating a custom board game with intricate rules and lore.
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Benefits of Storytelling Games for Adults
You might associate storytelling games with childhood fun. Did you know they offer numerous benefits for adults too? Storytelling games help get your creative juices flowing, and here are more benefits of them.
1. Boosted Creativity
In today’s fast-paced, digital world, it’s easy to fall into routine thinking. Storytelling games challenge you to think differently, to come up with unique solutions and narratives on the spot. They’re like a workout for your creative muscles.
2. Enhanced Communication Skills
Clear and compelling communication is essential in every area of life – especially if you’re an entrepreneur or aspiring speaker. Storytelling games give you a safe and enjoyable space to practice these skills. You’ll learn to organize your thoughts, craft engaging narratives, and respond effectively to unexpected twists.
3. Stress Relief
Taking a break from screens and engaging in a creative, collaborative activity can be a great way to unwind. It’s like giving your brain permission to relax, play, and explore new ideas – without the pressure of work or deadlines.
A Storytelling Game For Professionals
While any storytelling game can flex your creative muscles, this simple exercise is particularly well-suited to the demands of professional life.
The Scenario Game
Gather a small group (2-4 people) and grab a deck of storytelling prompt cards (like Storymatic Kids – yes, even adults can benefit from the “kids” versions.). You can also simply write down various prompts on slips of paper. You’ll also need a timer.
Here’s how it works:
- Draw a prompt card: This card dictates the “problem” or challenge your story needs to address.
- Set the timer: Give yourselves a reasonable amount of time to brainstorm a story (2-5 minutes).
- Craft a story (individually or collaboratively): Use your storytelling skills to craft a compelling narrative that provides a solution to the prompt. This could be a real-life problem from your professional life, a hypothetical scenario, or a totally fantastical challenge.
- Share your stories: Once the timer is up, take turns sharing your narratives.
- Discuss: What worked well in each story? What could have been improved? This debriefing period can be a goldmine for uncovering new perspectives and sharpening your storytelling skills.
This deceptively simple game forces you to think on your feet, develop creative solutions, and communicate them compellingly. It’s amazing how quickly a few rounds can improve your ability to structure narratives, engage your audience, and think outside the box – skills that are invaluable in presentations, client meetings, or even just navigating the day-to-day challenges of a professional setting.
Conclusion
Storytelling games are more than just a fun way to pass the time; they’re a doorway to enhanced creativity, sharpened communication skills, and a stronger connection to the power of stories. These engaging activities offer a creative outlet for all ages while providing valuable benefits. Whether you choose a classic board game, a deck of cards, or prefer to craft your own unique scenarios, engaging with storytelling games can unlock new levels of creativity. For those who use storytelling in their careers – entrepreneurs, CEOs, authors, and speakers – the ability to weave compelling narratives is a skill worth learning.
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FAQs About Storytelling Games
How do I play storytelling games?
Storytelling games vary greatly. Some use cards for prompts like Once Upon a Time, which was released in 1998, while others use more elaborate setups or are purely improvisational. Choose one based on your preferred level of structure and the ages and interests of your players. Reading reviews or checking out videos can be incredibly helpful when choosing the right game.
What are the 5 P’s of storytelling?
The 5 P’s of storytelling, although not exclusive to “storytelling games”, are often referenced to craft compelling narratives. The 5 P’s of storytelling are:
- Plot.
- Purpose.
- People.
- Place.
- Perspective.
What are the 4 types of storytelling?
The four types of storytelling often referenced are:
- Linear narrative.
- Interactive narrative.
- Non-linear narrative.
- Transmedia storytelling.
Each format affects how the story is structured and presented.
What are storytelling games called?
While “storytelling games” is a widely recognized term, they also fall under other categories. Some prefer terms like “narrative games” or “collaborative storytelling games,” depending on the specific game mechanics.
