BMAD-METHOD/src/modules/bmgd/workflows/2-design/narrative/steps/step-07-environmental.md

name	description	workflow_path	thisStepFile	nextStepFile	workflowFile	outputFile	advancedElicitationTask	partyModeWorkflow
step-07-environmental	Plan environmental storytelling including visual, audio, and found documents	{project-root}/_bmad/bmgd/workflows/2-design/narrative	{workflow_path}/steps/step-07-environmental.md	{workflow_path}/steps/step-08-delivery.md	{workflow_path}/workflow.md	{output_folder}/narrative-design.md	{project-root}/_bmad/core/workflows/advanced-elicitation/workflow.xml	{project-root}/_bmad/core/workflows/party-mode/workflow.md

Step 7: Environmental Storytelling

Progress: Step 7 of 11 - Next: Narrative Delivery

STEP GOAL:

Define how story is told through the environment: visual storytelling, audio storytelling, and found documents/collectibles.

MANDATORY EXECUTION RULES (READ FIRST):

Universal Rules:

• NEVER generate content without user input
• CRITICAL: Read the complete step file before taking any action
• CRITICAL: When loading next step with 'C', ensure entire file is read
• YOU ARE A FACILITATOR, not a content generator
• NEVER mention time estimates
• ✅ YOU MUST ALWAYS SPEAK OUTPUT In your Agent communication style with the config {communication_language}

Role Reinforcement:

• You are a narrative design facilitator
• Show, don't tell - environmental storytelling is powerful
• Help user think beyond dialogue

Step-Specific Rules:

• FORBIDDEN to design environmental narrative without user input
• Connect environmental elements to story
• Consider implementation effort

EXECUTION PROTOCOLS:

• Show your analysis before taking any action
• Present A/P/C menu after generating content
• ONLY save when user chooses C (Continue)
• Update frontmatter stepsCompleted: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7] before loading next step

COLLABORATION MENUS (A/P/C):

• A (Advanced Elicitation): Explore environmental depth
• P (Party Mode): Get perspectives on environmental storytelling
• C (Continue): Save the content and proceed

Sequence of Instructions (Do not deviate, skip, or optimize)

1. Visual Storytelling Discovery

"How will you tell story through visuals in {{game_name}}?

Visual storytelling elements:

• Set dressing and props - What objects tell stories?
• Environmental damage/aftermath - What happened here?
• Visual symbolism - Recurring images with meaning
• Color and lighting - Mood and meaning through visuals
• Character design details - What do appearances reveal?

How will visuals tell story in {{game_name}}?"

2. Audio Storytelling Discovery

"How will audio contribute to storytelling?

Audio storytelling elements:

• Ambient sounds - What do players hear in the world?
• Music emotional cues - How does music guide feeling?
• Voice acting - How is it used beyond dialogue?
• Audio logs/recordings - Found audio content?
• Sound design - Sounds that carry meaning

How will audio tell story in {{game_name}}?"

3. Found Documents Discovery

"Will you have found documents? (Journals, notes, emails, etc.)

If yes, describe:

• Types of documents - What forms do they take?
• How many - Approximate count
• What they reveal - Backstory? World-building? Character?
• Optional vs required - Must players find them?
• Reward for finding - Achievement? Story unlock? Lore only?

Describe your found documents (or indicate N/A):"

4. Generate Environmental Content

Based on the conversation, prepare the content:

## Environmental Storytelling

### Visual Storytelling

**Set Dressing:**
{{set_dressing_approach}}

**Environmental Details:**
{{environmental_storytelling_examples}}

**Visual Symbolism:**
{{symbolic_elements}}

**Color and Lighting:**
{{color_lighting_approach}}

---

### Audio Storytelling

**Ambient Design:**
{{ambient_sound_approach}}

**Music Integration:**
{{music_storytelling}}

**Voice Elements:**
{{voice_beyond_dialogue}}

**Sound Design Narrative:**
{{meaningful_sounds}}

---

### Found Documents

{{if_has_documents}}
**Document Types:**
{{document_types}}

**Quantity:** {{approximate_count}}

**Content Focus:**
{{what_documents_reveal}}

**Discovery:**

- Required: {{required_documents}}
- Optional: {{optional_documents}}

**Rewards:** {{finding_rewards}}
{{/if_has_documents}}

{{if_no_documents}}
**Approach:** No found documents
**Rationale:** {{why_no_documents}}
{{/if_no_documents}}

5. Present Content and Menu

Show the generated content to the user and present:

"I've documented the environmental storytelling approach.

Here's what I'll add to the document:

[Show the complete markdown content from step 4]

Environmental Summary:

• Visual elements: Defined
• Audio elements: Defined
• Found documents: {{yes_no}}

Validation Check:

• Does visual storytelling match your world?
• Is audio approach realistic for scope?
• Are found documents well-integrated?

Select an Option: [A] Advanced Elicitation - Explore environmental depth [P] Party Mode - Get perspectives on environmental storytelling [C] Continue - Save this and move to Narrative Delivery (Step 8 of 11)"

6. Handle Menu Selection

IF A (Advanced Elicitation):

• Execute {advancedElicitationTask} with the current content
• Ask user: "Accept these changes? (y/n)"
• If yes: Update content, return to A/P/C menu
• If no: Keep original, return to A/P/C menu

IF P (Party Mode):

• Execute {partyModeWorkflow} with the current content
• Ask user: "Accept these changes? (y/n)"
• If yes: Update content, return to A/P/C menu
• If no: Keep original, return to A/P/C menu

IF C (Continue):

• Append the final content to {outputFile}
• Update frontmatter: stepsCompleted: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
• Load {nextStepFile}

CRITICAL STEP COMPLETION NOTE

ONLY WHEN [C continue option] is selected and [environmental content saved with frontmatter updated], will you then load and read fully {nextStepFile}.

---

SYSTEM SUCCESS/FAILURE METRICS

SUCCESS:

• Visual storytelling approach defined
• Audio storytelling integrated
• Found documents documented (if applicable)
• Elements connect to story themes
• A/P/C menu presented and handled correctly
• Frontmatter updated with stepsCompleted: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

SYSTEM FAILURE:

• Creating environmental details without user input
• Elements disconnected from story
• Missing audio considerations
• Not presenting A/P/C menu after content
• Proceeding without user selecting 'C'

Master Rule: Skipping steps, optimizing sequences, or not following exact instructions is FORBIDDEN and constitutes SYSTEM FAILURE.