a storytelling model for educational games

A Storytelling Model for Educational Games

R. Champagnat,

G. Delmas, M. Augeraud

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Outline

• L3i background• Interactive storytelling and games• A software architecture for Interactive

Storytelling• A structure for Interactive Storytelling• Examples

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L3i background (1)

• ImagIN research team : Digital Interaction and Image

• Interactive Storytelling (Software Engineering point of view)– Model and design– Management (control) of player’s

behaviour– Adapt the unfolding of the activity

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L3i background (2)

• Fields of interest– Interactive Storytelling games– Game for autistic children

• Projects – RobAutiSTIC, FT Autistic– PLUG– PAVU

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Game scenarios and interaction

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Outline

• L3i background• Interactive storytelling and games• A software architecture for Interactive

Storytelling• A structure for Interactive Storytelling• Examples

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IS and game

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Final Fantasy series:

- Elaborated scenario

- no control of the narrative

The Sims:

- Complete freedom

- No scenario but a succession of independent events.

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Scenario oriented

• The game is based on a prewritten scenario.

• The game monitors player’s behaviour and prevents him from breaking storyline.

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Emergent narrative

• No story written, but a game full of autonomous agents (characters).

• The story emerges from a sequence of interaction between the player and agents.

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Outline

• L3i background• Interactive storytelling and games• A software architecture for Interactive

Storytelling• A structure for Interactive Storytelling• Examples

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IS game software architecture

• IS controller– Goal– Software architecture

• Key elements– The player– The game– The IS controller

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Outline

• L3i background• Interactive storytelling and games• A software architecture for Interactive

Storytelling• A structure for Interactive Storytelling• Examples

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A structure for IS

• Difficulty to find a conciliation between interactivity and narration.

• Role playing game background• Key ideas:

– Do not control the unfolding but its structure– Dynamic design of the story

• Well suited for learning

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A structure for ISCampbell’s model

Departure: call to adventure

Initiation: road of trials

Return: prove his assimilation of determined notions in order to progress

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Extend Campbell (1)

• Limits of interactivity• Campbell structure for IS game• Requirements

– Two worlds– Key figures and symbolic– Imply the player at every time– Enact every act or choice from the player– Adapt to player’s abilities

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Extend Campbell (2)

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Outline

• L3i background• Interactive storytelling and games• A software architecture for Interactive

Storytelling• A structure for Interactive Storytelling• Examples

Example: Monster’s SchoolGame with simple interactions

NPC behaviour evolves according to player’s actions and scenario

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Game modelPetri net model of the game

Describes how player’s interactions impact the game state

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Example: therapeutic gameAdaptative game for autism

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ModelState machine

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Conclusion

• IS a research field

• Extension of Campbell hero journey

• IS to improve serious games

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