The Lens of The Obstacle

A goal with no obstacles is not worth pursuing. Use this lens to make sure your obstacles are ones that your players will want to overcome.

• What is the relationship between the main character and the goal? Why does the character care about it?
• What are the obstacles between the character and the goal?
• Is there an antagonist who is behind the obstacles? What is the relationship between the protagonist and the antagonist?
• Do the obstacles gradually increase in difficulty?
• Some say “the bigger the obstacle, the better the story”. Are your obstacles big enough? Can they be bigger?
• Great stories often involve the protagonist transforming in order to overcome the obstacle. How does your protagonist transform?