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Resistance

anything that makes it difficult, but not impossible, to accomplish a goal


If spects accomplish their goals too easily, they don’t become invested. When pursuing goals, resistance gives spects something to overcome. The effort required to overcome resistance makes goals feel valuable and spects feel invested.

Delivering resistance

Opportunities for resistance arise any time something is desired. It might be a favor, an object, information, action, or permission. Anything that a character wants can be met with resistance.

Resistance comes in different sizes. It might be a small speedbump, a mid-sized pushback, or the huge opposition of an antagonist. The degree of resistance should be proportionate to the strength of the spect. If resistance is too much, spects give up. If it’s too mild, it goes unnoticed. Make resistance a little stronger than the spect’s commitment. This causes spects to step up their game and become more invested. The stronger a spect plays, the bigger the resistance can be.

You can resist through direct opposition.

“No, I’m not giving you a divorce.”

You can also support the spect’s goal, but resist how they’re going about achieving it.

“Yes, I want you to find a cure for cancer, but not at the expense of your relationship with your family.”

Either way, resistance makes things more difficult than they would otherwise be.

Ending resistance

When creating minor resistance, like speed bumps, drop the resistance almost immediately. If you find yourself resisting multiple times, allow the third time to change you with a No, no, yes. Minor resistance helps spects see that they can overcome larger obstacles.

Lori’s son, Tyson, hates his family’s month-long vacation at a cabin in the woods. She asks him to stop playing video games and go outside. He pretends not to hear her. She asks a second time, and he replies, “I don’t feel like it.” Lori takes the game out of her son’s hands and says, “Now!” Tyson sighs. “Fine.” He sullenly cooperates, letting the screen door slam behind him as he goes out.

If spects have difficulty overcoming resistance, don’t leave them dangling in the wind. Help them find their power and keep the story moving forward. Where there’s an obstacle, there’s a loophole. Gatekeepers can bend the rules. Doubters can be swayed. Antagonists can concede the loss. There’s always a way to justify assisting spects to achieve a win when they aren’t able to do it alone.

James is trying to get past the front gate of a private golf course where his boyfriend works as a caddy, but the entry guard won’t let him in because he’s not a member. James has tried to appeal to the guard’s compassion and reason, but to no avail. Now he isn’t sure what to do. The guard sits in his booth uncomfortably. Finally he says, “You’re not going to leave, are you?” James shakes his head no. “OK, it’s against the rules, but here’s a guest pass, and you’ve only got five minutes. After that I’m coming in and throwing you out. Got it?”

Don’t resist spects when they make choices that threaten to derail the story. If you need to maintain locked elements, bend their offers. Otherwise, follow the spect and see where they lead.

The key to good resistance is to make it difficult, but not impossible, for spects to accomplish their goals. It increases their investment and satisfaction when their goals are achieved and the story progresses forward.

Updated: August 22, 2024

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Encyclopedia of Interactive Performance