2. Communicating with ugly but efficient characters Henriette van Vugt Elly Konijn Johan Hoorn Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam 24 nov 2005 Etmaal van de communicatiewetenschap

4. Users respond differently to interfaces encorporating an interface character than to those without an interface character Persona effect

5. Aim of the project

6. 2 main perspectives Human-like appearance and behavior –Social responses –Similarities engagement real human beings Computer application –Task context –Similarities use intention other applications

7. I-PEFiC model

9. Are the Engagement and Interaction process dependent on each other?

10. Experimental design

12. Manipulations - Aesthetics Ugly: BertaBeautiful: Bella

13. Aids:knowledgeable, fast Obstacles: clumsy, slow Manipulations - Affordances

14. Method 120 participants I-PEFiC measures (Cronbach’s alpha >.70) 5 tasks, as quickly as possible e.g. “Have Bella repair the sink” If task finished, stop the clock, write time down Completion of the 5 tasks Slow (about 12 minutes) or fast (about 6 minutes) Then, questionnaire, and one more task

15. CHARACTERSYSTEMCHARACTERSYSTEM Relevance Distance Satisfaction Use Intentions Affordances Aid Obstacle Aesthetics Beautiful Ugly Valence Involvement Results

16. CHARACTERSYSTEMCHARACTERSYSTEM Relevance Distance Satisfaction Use Intentions Affordances Aid Obstacle Aesthetics Beautiful Ugly Valence Involvement Results

17. CHARACTERSYSTEMCHARACTERSYSTEM Relevance Distance Satisfaction Use Intentions Affordances Aid Obstacle Aesthetics Beautiful Ugly Valence Involvement Results

18. CHARACTERSYSTEMCHARACTERSYSTEM Relevance Distance Satisfaction Use Intentions Affordances Aid Obstacle Aesthetics Beautiful Ugly Valence Involvement Results

19. Main conclusion ‘Digital bonds’ between humans and interface characters are established by both the character’s visual appearance and the affordances it offers for task execution.

20. Discussion Trend in game industry: More game AI, less graphic game design Future research: Different task environment On/off function