Types of fiction with multiple endings

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A narrative typically ends in one set way, but certain kinds of narrative allow for multiple endings.

Contents

Comics

Literature

Theater

Films

DVDs and Blu-ray discs may include an alternate ending as a special feature. These are usually not considered canon.

Films which include multiple endings within the main cut of the film:[ clarification needed ]

Television

Animation

Video games

Video games, as an interactive medium, allow for a wide variety of outcomes. Especially nonlinear video games such as visual novels, role-playing games and interactive dramas often feature multiple endings. Multiple endings may increase a game's replay value, encourage customization or deviate from the story in the form of easter eggs. As such, these video games often, but not always, feature one or multiple "true" or "good endings" which are canonized either by the developer or player base as well as "false" or "bad endings".

Role-playing video games

Multiple endings can be an integral part of many visual novels and role-playing games as these genres often emphasize customization and individuality.

Examples of role-playing games that feature multiple endings:

Choice-driven video games

Multiple endings are a common feature in "choice-driven" games in which decisions made by the player serve as the main gameplay loop. These games are usually adventure or storytelling games whose ending or sometimes even entire story changes depending on the player's active, in the form of dialogue options, or passive choices, such as games with moral systems.

Examples of choice-driven games that feature multiple endings:

Multiple endings as a gameplay mechanic

Some video games revolve their entire story around the concept of multiple endings and utilize them as a gameplay mechanic. This is done either chronologically, whereby the player experiences a game's ending multiple times but through different point-of-views, or through "knowledge-gating" in which all endings are achievable from the start but have to be deduced through trial and error or through experiencing the game's other endings.

Examples of video games that feature endings as a gameplay mechanic:

See also

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