You've been logged out of GDC Vault since the maximum users allowed for this account has been reached. To access Members Only content on GDC Vault, please log out of GDC Vault from the computer which last accessed this account.

Click here to find out about GDC Vault Membership options for more users.

close
About the GDC's Game Narrative Review program: Every year, leading game design programs at universities across the country integrate the GDC's Game Narrative Review competition into their academic curricula. Each participating student conducts a detailed structured analysis of the narrative elements of a game title of their choice. The resulting papers are submitted to the GDC writing board for review, and the submitters with the most promising entries are then invited to create a poster as a visual synopsis of their review. Successful poster submissions are declared winners and exhibited at the GDC.

Winning entries are archived on this page, organized by year. Click the "Poster" links to see the winning poster submissions and the "Paper" links to read the winning written analyses.

2013


Platinum Winners

School Student Game Title Poster Paper
MarymountWalter BottlickAlice madness Returns View View
Rochester Institute of TechnologyDouglas LynnMetroid Prime View View
DrexelGlenn WintersJourney View View

Gold Winners

School Student Game Title Poster Paper
Southern Methodist UniversityJose Abalos LiraDys4ia View View
EmersonPhilip BinderThe Cave View View
DigipenGeorge BodgenEarthBound View View
CMUChristian CashmanFallout: New Vegas View View
DrexelKenneth ChenThe Binding of Isaac View View
DigipenSpencer CrowellMass Effect 3 View View
Johnathan GrogoireLegend of Zelda: Majoras Mask View View
Andy HillBioshock View View
Sin Yee HoweDipict 1 View View
Aaron McDanielMass Effect 3 View
RITAaron RussellBarkley, Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden, Chapter 1 of the Hoopz Barkley SaGa View View
DrexelDustin OtwellLittle Inferno View View
PUC-RioArthur ProtasioWay of Samurai 3 View View
DigipenCheng Ding XiangThreads of Fate ( US title ), Dewprism (Japan title) View View
RITEvan MillerFinal Fantacy XIII View View

2012


Platinum Winners

School Student Game Title Poster Paper
University of TexasMichael GabaldonGhost Trick: Phantom Detective View View
Digipen Khalil MoutrieEversion View View
Southern Methodist UniversitySteven ChinPortal 2 View View

Gold Winners

School Student Game Title Poster Paper
University of Southern CaliforniaJames IliffHalf-Life View
Southern Methodist UniversityDustin DavisThief: The Dark Project View View
Campbell CrapseyShogun 2 View View
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyDavid BocekHalf-Life 2 View View
DigipenSamuel DasslerDragon Quest V View View
Ryan CassellPenumbra: Black Plague View View
SUNY StonybrookMax XimenezDeus Ex: Human Revolution View View
Southern Methodist UniversityChris ParthemosDark Cloud View View
Charles EgenbacherShadow of the Colossus View View

2011


Platinum Winners

School Student Game Title Poster Paper
Northern Kentucky UniversityPatric DelaneyGrim Fandango View View
Southern Methodist UniversityDavid SavageRed Dead Redemption View View

Gold Winners

School Student Game Title Poster Paper
DigipenDavid KanigelSilent Hill 2: Restless Dreams View
Brian FrantzWorld of Goo View
Christopher KrawczukFinal Fantasy X View
Southern Methodist UniversityDimitrius PennebakerSilent Hill 2 View
Gideon SheebMass Effect View
Jaddua RossDisgaea 3: Absence of Justice View
Jeffrey BickelAssassin's Creed View
John GoyetteShadowbane View
Joshua KastenAmnesia: The Dark Descent View
Mitch CrossleyBaldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn View
Philip RileyBaldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn View
Stephen ChinHomefront View View
Todd NellingKnights of the Old Republic View

2010


Platinum Winners

School Student Game Title Poster Paper
DePaulDavid HenryThe Dark Eye View
DigipenBenjamin VandergriftGuild War: Prophecies View
Southern Methodist UniversityAndy KimDwarf Fortress View

Gold Winners

School Student Game Title Poster Paper
Carnegie MellonBenjamin MillerHeavy Rain View View
DePaulJohn MurphyThe Path
DigipenZach BarthHalf-Life 2 View
Ryan DurlandSecret of Monkey Island View
Patrick HayesShin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 View
Zabir HogueHalo ODST View
Sean HunterSuper Metroid View
Kwan PerngPortal View
Michael LobatoUncharted 2 View
Even McCrainOkami View
Andrew McWilliamsKillzone 2 View
Jay ParsellXenosaga 1 View
Samer RayyanPersona 3 View
Nicholas RotondoShadow of the Colossus View
Christopher TallmanThe Neverhood View
Rochester Institute of TechnologyHallWorld of Goo
Amy LiPhoenix Wright: Ace Attorney View
Alex LifschitzFar Cry 2 View View
Nathan PalsonEternal Darkness View
David SilvermanCave Story View
Southern Methodist UniversityChuck BartholomewSuper Paper Mario View View
Stephen ChinMass Effect View
Chase GordonEarthbound View
Taylor KerrGolden Sun View View
Patrick MoatesDragon Age: Origins View
Vicki SmithTales of Monkey Island View
Kevin WeiOddworld: Abe's Oddysee View

2009


Platinum Winners

School Student Game Title Poster Paper
DigipenPatrick MartinPrey View
Derrick ReadingerBraid

Gold Winners

School Student Game Title Poster Paper
DigipenJustin BillerLegend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time View
Caleb FisherFinal Fantasy X
Steven HammondResident Evil 4 View
Ben JohnsonMetal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots View
Adam MiddletonShadow of the Colossus View
Jeff RobinsonDreamfall: The Longest Journey
Doug WilliamsBioshock View
Rochester Institute of TechnologyAlex LifschitzDead Space View View
Southern Methodist UniversityMichael BrannanChrono Trigger View
Tyler BuserHalf-Life View View

2008


Overall Winners

School Student Game Title Poster Paper
DigipenErik OsabenSilent Hill 2 View
UBM Tech