Evaluation of an automatically-constructed graph-based representation for interactive narrative

Nathan Partlan, Elin Carstensdottir, Erica Kleinman, Sam Snodgrass, Casper Harteveld, Gillian Smith, Camillia Matuk, Steven C. Sutherland, Magy Seif El-Nasr

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Interactivity and player experience are inextricably entwined with the creation of compelling narratives for interactive digital media. Narrative shapes and buttresses many such experiences, and therefore designers must construct compelling narrative arcs while carefully considering the effects of interaction on both the story and the player. As the narrative becomes more structurally complex, due to choice-based branching and other player actions, designers need to employ commensurately capable models and visualizations to keep track of that growing complexity. However, previous models of interactive narrative have failed to fully capture interactive elements with automated, operationalized visualizations. In this paper, we describe an algorithm for automated construction of a framework-driven, graph-based representation of interactive narrative. This representation more fully and transparently models structural and interactive features of the narrative than did prior approaches. We present an initial evaluation of this representation, based on modified cognitive walkthroughs performed by interactive narrative design and research experts from our research team, and we describe the takeaways for future improvement on interactive narrative modeling and analysis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 14th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games, FDG 2019
EditorsFoaad Khosmood, Johanna Pirker, Thomas Apperley, Sebastian Deterding
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery
ISBN (Electronic)9781450372176
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 26 2019
Event14th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games, FDG 2019 - San Luis Obispo, United States
Duration: Aug 26 2019Aug 30 2019

Publication series

NameACM International Conference Proceeding Series

Conference

Conference14th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games, FDG 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Luis Obispo
Period8/26/198/30/19

Keywords

  • AI
  • Computational co-creativity
  • Computational media
  • Design
  • Design representation
  • Games
  • Graphical models
  • Interactive narrative
  • Knowledge representation
  • Player agency
  • Structural models

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Computer Networks and Communications
  • Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition
  • Software

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