How to manage storyline events in a multiplayer game?

Dark, Story-Driven Narrative
1

I’m developing a text-based multiplayer game where users engage through forum posts, and I want to design story events that advance the narrative while keeping all players involved.

def trigger_story_event(participants, setting):
    active_participants = fetch_active_players(participants)
    event_info = {
        'setting': setting,
        'involved_players': active_participants,
        'items_shared': True,
        'interaction_with_npcs': True
    }
    return send_event_broadcast(event_info)

def provide_game_items(players_list, item):
    for player in players_list:
        player.inventory.add(item)
        alert_player(player, f"You have received: {item}")

I’m seeking guidance on how to time these events effectively. Should I wait until all players respond before progressing? How can I keep the story advancing while ensuring everyone has an opportunity to engage? My game includes investigation components where players can find clues, and I want to ensure key story moments aren’t overlooked if a player is offline.

2

For investigation games I think notification systems work really well. Like when someone discovers something important, shoot out alerts to let people know there’s new content to check out. You could also do staggered reveals where the same clue might be findable in multiple ways or locations, so if one person misses it there are other chances for the group to stumble across it naturally.

3

Maybe have a buffer system where major story beats pause for like 24-48 hours but smaller events keep rolling? That way nobody misses the big reveals but the game doesn’t get stuck waiting forever.

4

Use asynchronous story branches where different groups can experience events at their own pace then merge back for major plot points.

5

Auto progression with recap posts works well too. Let events happen on schedule but generate summary updates for anyone who missed out so they’re not lost when they return.

6

Set deadlines for responses and let the story move forward with whoever’s active. You can always catch up stragglers later.

7

I’d go with a hybrid approach where you have different event tiers. Critical story moments get the longer wait times, but for investigation stuff you could have a rolling discovery system. Like if someone finds a clue, it gets added to a shared knowledge pool that others can access when they log back in. That way the story keeps moving but nobody gets completely left behind on important plot points.

8

Consider adding NPC summaries for offline players so they can catch up on what they missed without stopping the flow.