Narrative Structure and Creative Tension in Call of Cthulhu
Kenneth Hite argues that the long-running, H.P. Lovecraft-inspired Call of Cthulhu franchise differs from traditional tabletop role-playing in its focus on suspense rather than character growth. Hite's analysis suggests that in its origins and emphasis on narrative structure Cthulhu is a highly literary game.
The source is the essay-review on www.electronicbookreview.com written by Kenneth Hite.
"A scenario in Call of Cthulhu can be organized like the layers of an onion. On the surface, suppose that the scenario looks like it's about a conventional haunted house. It might even look like a hoax. (...) The sixth edition version is slightly less proscriptive than the first, substituting "can" for "should," and being headlined "An Example of A Plot" rather than the sterner "How to Set Up a Scenario" from the first edition.
The sixth edition also provides a sidebar with step-by-step guidelines for "Building a Scenario":
(...)
1) A mystery or crisis is posed. . .
2) The investigators become linked to the problem. . .
3) The investigators attempt to define the mystery. . .
4) The investigators use the clues and evidence to confront the danger. . .
5) The mystery or problem is solved. (Ibid., 136)."The quotes was directly pulled out of the essay.
