Lecture 5 CS148/248: Interactive Narrative UC Santa Cruz School of Engineering 16 Jan 2009

UC SANTA CRUZ Two analytic frameworks  Laurel (1986, 1992): Aristotelian theory of interactive drama  Structural – what are the “pieces” of an interactive dramatic experience?  Murray (1998): the pleasures of interactive story  Experiential – what does an interactive story feel like?

UC SANTA CRUZ Laurel’s treatment of Aristotle Action (plot) Character Thought Language (Diction) Pattern Enactment (Spectacle) Inferred Formal Cause Material Cause Enactment Intensity Catharsis Intensity Closure Dramatic propertiesStructure

UC SANTA CRUZ Murray’s experiential categories  Immersion  Engagement; acceptance of internal logic  Transformation  Masquerade; variety; personal transformation  Agency  Action with effects relating to player intention

UC SANTA CRUZ Combine agency with Aristotelian categories  Agency chosen as primary  Immersion - engagement and identification  Transformation - change in the protagonist  Agency – not implicit in Aristotelian categories  How does the category of agency relate to the Aristotelian categories

UC SANTA CRUZ Structural prerequisites for agency Action (plot) Player character Thought Language (Diction) Pattern Enactment (Spectacle) Inferred Formal Cause Material for action Material Cause Plot Constraints Maximize agency when material and plot constraints are balanced Player intention

UC SANTA CRUZ Classic adventure game Action (plot) Player character Thought Language (Diction) Pattern Enactment (Spectacle) Material for action Plot Constraints

UC SANTA CRUZ Modern storygame (RPG and openworld) Action (plot) Player character Thought Language (Diction) Pattern Enactment (Spectacle) Material for action Plot Constraints

UC SANTA CRUZ Example: Classic FPS Action (plot) Player character Thought Language (Diction) Pattern Enactment (Spectacle) Material for action Plot Constraints