The Encyclopedia of Interactive Performance

When playing from a scenario, you also follow the spect. This may take you far off the scripted path which is a good thing because it puts spects in the driver’s seat of the story. However, sometimes you need to get back to a scripted plot point or introduce an important story element. Bridging is a way to do this while making it feel as though it was the spect who got you there.

To bridge, create a connection between the spect’s contribution and the scripted story element.

Eunju (spect) and Ferris are doing some shopping. In the scenario, the next scene has Eunju accidentally encountering her mother at the library. Eunju mentions that she’s hungry. Ferris bridges from the spect’s offer to the next location by suggesting that they grab a bite at a cute little café that just happens to be at the local library.

Don't overuse this tool. If you bridge too much, spects will feel that the story is being forced on them.

Used in moderation, bridging can be an effective way to get from a spect’s contribution to an important story element.