Roblox Choose-Your-Own-Adventure: Code Branching Stories

Choose-your-own-adventure games let players shape the story with every decision. In this eight-week course learners design and code a branching story game in Roblox Studio and learn about decision trees, the same structure behind many game AI systems.

Learners begin by mapping a story on paper as a decision tree, with a starting point, choices and multiple endings. They discuss how each choice should feel meaningful and how to keep branches manageable. Next they build the first scene in Roblox Studio and code an on-screen dialogue box with two or three choice buttons. Learners write code that moves the player to a new scene depending on which button they click.

In the middle weeks learners add variables that remember past choices, such as whether the player helped a character earlier, and use them to change later scenes. They create at least three endings, including a secret ending that requires a special combination of choices. Learners also add characters, music and lighting that match each branch.

In the final weeks learners playtest each other's stories, check that every path works and refine their writing. They present their decision tree alongside the game.

The teacher explains both storytelling and coding ideas step by step. By the end learners will have a playable branching story. Basic Lua knowledge is helpful.

How classes work

Each class combines story planning with a coding step. Learners build scenes and choices and test every branch with classmates.

What we'll cover

• Week 1: Decision Tree Map – Plan a story with choices and endings.

• Week 2: First Scene – Build the opening scene.

• Week 3: Dialogue and Choices – Code a dialogue box with choice buttons.

• Week 4: Moving Between Scenes – Send players to scenes based on choices.

• Week 5: Remembering Choices – Use variables to track past decisions.

• Week 6: Multiple Endings – Build three endings and a secret one.

• Week 7: Mood and Characters – Add characters, music and lighting per branch.

• Week 8: Branch Testing and Showcase – Test every path and present the tree.

Basic Roblox Studio navigation. Some Lua experience is helpful but not required.