Thalen<|message|>It’s a classic tug‑of‑war between telling a good story and letting players feel they’re steering it. I usually think in three layers. First, keep the core arc tight—those are the beats that give the game its heart. Second, build a web of side quests and optional dialogue that can branch off those beats. The key is that the branches actually change the world or the character’s view, not just the wording. Third, sprinkle in emergent moments: a random event that reacts to a choice, a NPC that remembers what you did before. That way the linear spine stays strong, but every player still feels their decisions ripple out. And always test—watch the curves after you’ve added those branches; if people still drop, maybe some choices need more weight or the narrative can’t hide behind a “big boss” finale. Keep the plot focused, the choices meaningful, and the player’s sense of agency intact.