The simulation of narrative

1. The simulation of narrative Nicolas Szilas IDtension www.idtension.com nicolas.szilas@idtension.com

2. Outline • Interactive Narrative/Drama • Various approaches in Interactive Drama • IDtension • Conclusion/discussion 2

3. { Cognitive = puzzles Motor = fights, etc. Interactivity and story in videogames • 3 types : • Description / exploration • Obstacles • Branching 3

4. Branching... • Explosion! • Frustration... 4

5. { Cognitive = puzzles Motor = fights, etc. Interactivity and story in videogames • 3 types : • Description / exploration • Obstacles • Branching • Explosion! • Frustration... 5

6. The player can perform any action on the virtual world that the other characters can perform. « Interactive Drama » • Virtual world with characters • Player = one character • Narrative 6

7. Three main points of view • User point of view • role of the user • HCI • Author point of view • Role of the author • Authoring tools • Technical point of view • How to make it work • Models of narrative 7

8. The approaches • Intelligents agents • Videogames (Creatures, B&W, Sims, Babyz,etc.) • Narrative characters (Univ. Teesside) • Emergence... • Generic (multi)linearity • Plot points (CMU, Inesc) • Scene succession (B. Majerko, Facade) • Propp model (Darmstadt) • Simulation • Planning (NCSU, N. Sgouros) • Structural description (U. Aalborg, IDtension) 8

9. Example: Creatures 9

10. Example : Creatures 10

11. Example : Creatures 11

12. Example : The Sims 12

13. Example : Univ. of Teesside 13

14. Example : Inesc 14

15. Example : Façade 15

16. Example: IDtension • The approach: Simulate the narrative 16

17. Metaphor # 1 17

18. Metaphor # 2 18

19. The theoretical model Discourse Layer Intention, system of values. Story layer Characters, goals, obstacle, actions,transformation, etc. Perception layer Cognitive factors,emotions 19

20. World of the story The Architecture Discourse / Story / Perception World of the story User Model User Model Narrative Logic Virtual Narrator Theatre User 20

21. Characters attt Values Tasks Goals -1 0 X Obstacle Y {-X} -1 0 {+Y} Zoom on the world of the story ACTIONS Decide Inform Encourage Dissuade Accept Refuse Perform Condemn Congratulate 21

22. Realism Cognitive Emotions Zoom on the narrative effects • Ethical consistency • Motivational consistency • Relevance • Cognitive load • Characterization • Conflict • Suspense, surprise, spectacle 22

23. -1 0 -1 0 Example Joe Anna Bill Sylvie Mr D. Mrs D Kill witness NON VIOLENCE Witness has retracted Buy witness Out ofEurope Not rich Policeincredulous Rob the bank Havemoney Rich LAWFULLNESS Travel to Bangkok Takeholidays Out of Europe 23

24. Simulation: Initial conditions • Joe wishes to to change Mr D. ’s testimony • Anna and Bill know that • Anna knows Joe could buy Mr D. • Bill knows Joe could kill Mr D. 24

25. Simulation: Two modes • Automatic generation • Interactive 25

26. Anna tells Joe he could try to buy Mr D., the witness Joe accepts Bill tells Joe to kill Mr D. Joe refuses to do that. Joe tells Anna he could kill Mr D. Anna encourages him to do so! Joe tells Anna he wants to buy Mr D. Anna encourages him to do so Bill incites Joe to kill Mr D. Joe meets Mr D. He proposes him some money for changing his testimony, but Mr D. wants a lot of money, and Joe is not rich enough He then decides to get money He tells Anna about it Joe tells Sylvie he could kill Mr D. Sylvie dissuades him to do so! Results in automatic mode (1/2) 26

27. Joe tells her he is trying to get money He tells Bill too about it Bill inform him that he could rob the bank Joe accepts. He tells Anna he wants to rob the bank Anna encourages him to do it He tells Bill about his intention two Bill encourages to do it He tells Sylvie about his intention Sylvie dissuades him to do so Joe robs the bank, and he is successful He pays Mr D. He obtains the withdrawal of testimony from MR D. Results in automatic mode (2/2) 27

28. First turn: Anna tells Joe he could try to buy Mr D., the witness Results in interactive mode • Joe tells Bill he could buy Mr D. • Joe tells Sylvie he could buy Mr D. • Joe tells Mr D. he wishes to change Mr D.’s testimony • Joe tells Mrs D. he wishes to change Mr D.’s testimony • Joe accepts to buy Mr D. • Joe refuses to buy Mr D. 28

29. Second turn: Bill tells Joe to kill Mr D. Results in interactive mode • Joe tells Anna he wants to buy Mr D. • Joe tells Bill he wants to buy Mr D. • Joe tells Sylvie he wants to buy Mr D. • Joe tells Mr D. he wants to buy Mr D. • Joe tells Mrs D. he wants to buy Mr D. • Joe tells Anna he could kill Mr D. • Joe tells Sylvie he could kill Mr D. • Joe tells Mr D. he wishes to change Mr D.’s testimony • Joe tells Mrs D. he wishes to change Mr D.’s testimony • Joe accepts to kill Mr D. • Joe refuses to kill Mr D. 29

30. Simulation A broad model of narrative Frequency, range, significance Conclusion: key points 30

31. Open questions • (Im)possibility of IN • The HCI • The meaning of the action • Art or entertainment? • Market? 31

32. Contact Nicolas Szilas 1, rue des Trois Couronnes 75011 Paris, France nicolas.szilas@idtension.com IDtension www.idtension.com 32