When continuing to create, one tends to want to carefully include explanations of settings and worldviews. Of course, that is important.

However, many reasons why readers or players disengage at the beginning are not due to a lack of information, but rather because "the reason to want to read on is weak."

Especially in visual novels and story-based works, the design of the first three minutes is very important.

So, what should be included in the first three minutes to make it stronger?

1. Immediately convey the protagonist's current location
   Readers want to know "whose story it is and what the situation is" right from the start. It’s not necessary to explain everything, but showing the perspective and situation early on makes it easier to engage.

2. Place an event that stirs emotions, even if small
   It doesn’t have to be a major incident. A sense of discomfort, awkwardness, anticipation, anxiety, or a feeling of impending failure. If emotions are stirred even a little, readers will want to read on.

3. Leave one unresolved question
   If there is a question that is not immediately answered, such as "Why is this person here?" or "What is behind this conversation?", it makes it easier for the story to move forward.

4. Provide explanations at the “moment they become necessary”
   Rather than placing everything from the beginning like setting materials, providing information at the moment readers want to know strengthens understanding and memory.

5. Determine the work's tone in the first few paragraphs
   Bitterness, tension, softness, humor. The atmosphere at the beginning becomes the impression of the work. Through word choice and pacing, indicate "what kind of emotions should this story be read with."

If you feel the beginning is weak, before adding settings, please review the following three points.

• Is the protagonist's emotion visible in the first screen?

• Is there one question that piques the reader's curiosity?

• Is there a small driving force that makes one want to move on immediately?

The completeness of a work greatly changes based on the power to make one think "I want to read more," not on the amount of explanation.

It’s okay if there are no flashy developments. If the first three minutes contain emotion, situation, and a question, the story will become quite strong.

Just by slightly refining the beginning of your creation, the reader's experience will change significantly. First, take a look at the first three minutes of your work from the reader's perspective.