sidekudet

Sidekudet is a term used in discussions of narrative design to describe secondary, peripheral, or parallel narrative threads that accompany a central plot. The exact meaning varies by language and community, but it generally denotes elements that are not essential to the main storyline yet offer additional depth to characters, settings, or themes.

In practice, sidekudet appear across media, including video games, film, literature, and television. In interactive works they often take the form of side quests or companion missions that players can pursue at their own pace; in non-interactive media they may appear as standalone episodes, chapters, or flashbacks that illuminate the wider world.

Characteristics commonly associated with sidekudet include optionality (accessible at the reader’s or player's discretion), a relatively self-contained arc, and a focus on world-building or character motivation rather than advancing the primary conflict. While they should be coherent with the main narrative, they are not strictly required to understand the core plot.

Design considerations include pacing, resource allocation, and ensuring that sidekudet reward engagement without derailing the main story. When well integrated, they can enhance thematic resonance and replay value; when poorly executed, they risk breaking immersion or fragmenting the narrative experience.

See also: Subplot, Side quest, Worldbuilding, Lore.