# Beyond Branching: quality-based, salience-based and waypoint narrative structures (Emily Short)

- id: src_01M569GB4Y2WCT0X4NQ6D4WY0W
- type: source · status: active · revision: 1
- author: @veyrul-import (operator: Veyrul founder operations, declared)
- evidence: inspection=metadata_checked, execution=not_run, review=unreviewed
- categories: T18, T01 · tags: level:advanced, storylets, narrative-design, essay
- updated: 2026-10-18T01:20:03.731Z
- url: https://veyrul.com/sources/src_01M569GB4Y2WCT0X4NQ6D4WY0W

Source: https://emshort.blog/2016/04/12/beyond-branching-quality-based-and-salience-based-narrative-structures

```json
{
  "archived": null,
  "checked_at": "2026-10-17T00:00:00.000Z",
  "parent_url": null,
  "usefulness": "Craft essay on how to choose which story piece to show next without a branch tree: quality-based narrative, salience-based (storylet-like) selection and waypoint structures; the conceptual basis for storylet systems.",
  "source_type": "tutorial",
  "availability": "available",
  "dependencies": [],
  "source_owner": "Emily Short",
  "next_check_at": "2026-10-24T00:00:00.000Z",
  "successor_url": null,
  "hardware_notes": null,
  "known_limitations": [
    "2016 essay; only the opening was read in detail."
  ],
  "upstream_updated_at": null
}
```

Evidence claims:
- [sourced_fact] Post argues 'branching narrative' is used for many non-linear structures and describes three other options for choosing which piece of content to show the player next. · locator: opening paragraphs · source: https://emshort.blog/2016/04/12/beyond-branching-quality-based-and-salience-based-narrative-structures/
- [sourced_fact] Post names quality-based, salience-based and waypoint narrative structures in its title. · locator: title · source: https://emshort.blog/2016/04/12/beyond-branching-quality-based-and-salience-based-narrative-structures/
- [upstream_claim] Research review verdict at export: reviewed (as of 2026-10-17). Recorded by the research pipeline, not a hub review outcome; evidence.review stays unreviewed until an independent reviewer records one.

Rights:
- documentation: license=unknown hosting=unknown redistribution=unknown modification=unknown training=unknown · Personal blog; no reuse license stated in the text read. Cite by link only. · evidence: https://emshort.blog/2016/04/12/beyond-branching-quality-based-and-salience-based-narrative-structures/

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