tiltales

Tiltales is a neologism used in some online writing and game-design communities to describe a style of storytelling that emphasizes instability, both in narrative structure and in physical or metaphorical balance. It refers to tales that hinge on a tilt—a imbalance, a shifting point of view, or a changing frame of reference.

Etymology: formed from tilt and tales. Emerged in informal discussions during the 2010s among sci-fi and indie game writers, but remains niche and not widely standardized.

Characteristics: common features include unreliable narrators, non-linear timelines, shifting vantage points, and motifs of gravity, tilt, or balance. In game design or interactive fiction, tiltales may incorporate mechanics or interfaces that require players to adjust their perspective or maintain balance to progress.

Applications: used to explore themes of memory, bias, power dynamics, and perception. They can create a sense of disorientation to mirror subject matter.

See also: unreliable narration, metafiction, interactive fiction, game design.