Interactive drama in real and virtual worlds.

Abstract

How do we resolve the paradox of computer-supported interactive drama - that the human participant requires the very freedom to interact that the authored narrative structure denies them? This paper reports work around the concept of Emergent Narrative - the development of narrative structure through interaction itself. We cover both systems using a virtual world and those using a virtually-augmented real world, exploring how far reworking narrative structure as a loop between the causal (plot) and affective (character) can produce engaging experiences for participants. We discuss the key role of a cognitive-affective architecture for charac-ters and the process of cognitive appraisal as an engine for both in-character and in-role dramatic action.