The Eurekon: A Design Pattern in Expressive Storygames

We discuss a design pattern found in expressive storygames, the eurekon, which describes a specific dynamic arising from some adventure game puzzles where the player experiences a moment of revelation connecting the narrative and ludic planes. Eurekons have largely been designed out of modern storygames in favor of patterns that reduce the possibility of failure (as seen in the fall of the "puzzle" and rise of the "quest"), but this shift often eliminates the unique pleasures often found in a successful eurekon. We demonstrate both how the eurekon is a useful concept in analyzing existing adventure games and how it can inform designers hoping to create more successful eurekons.