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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.

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


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School Student Game Title Poster Paper

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