The challenge of interactive writing: Designing a nonlinear RPG like Esoteric Ebb

Esoteric Ebb is taking Steam by storm – but how does a branching narrative CRPG like this come together? In this guest blog, Christoffer Bodegård unpacks complex narrative design decisions and his eight-year journey learning how to manage the creation of a truly nonlinear, dialog-based story.Ever since the first public playtest of Esoteric Ebb back in 2023, I have been asked one simple question over and over again: “How do you keep track of everything?” It’s a good question – a difficult one. Most likely, I have answered it in several different ways over the years, but never in a really…