Games as a form of interactive media require new story structures. In this presentation, linear stories and stories with decision points are analysed and challenges in writing them discussed.
1. Mixed-reality gaming by Gbanga Millform AG, http://gbanga.com
Transmedia &
Mixed-reality gaming
Matthias Sala @ Gbanga
Gbanga creates mixed-reality games.
2. Mixed-reality gaming by Gbanga Millform AG, http://gbanga.com
Matthias
@babalunda
Computer Science &
Architecture @ ETH Zurich
Contextual information targeting
Games in the 80ies/90ies: Day of the Tentacle,
Monkey Island, Indiana Jones, Myst
3. Mixed-reality gaming by Gbanga Millform AG, http://gbanga.com
Transmedia storytelling (also known
as transmedia narrative or multiplatform
storytelling) is the technique of telling a
single story or story experience across
multiple platforms and formats using
current digital technologies. It is not to be
confused with traditional cross-
platform media franchises, sequels or
adaptations.
* Wikipedia definition
4. Mixed-reality gaming by Gbanga Millform AG, http://gbanga.com
2004 I Love Bees
Mainly online, websites, and real phone booths
2001 Majestic
Phone, email, instant messenger, fax, websites
1980 Ong’s Hat
Print, radio, television, CD-ROM, online groups
Alternate Reality Games
Theoretical Concepts, LARPS, movie “The Game”
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2010 Gbanga Famiglia
Phone app, GPS, event free-riding
2008 Gbanga Mr. X
Public transportation system, SMS/MMS
2009 Gbanga Zooh
Zurich Zoo, posters, E-Board, phone app, flyers
11. Mixed-reality gaming by Gbanga Millform AG, http://gbanga.com
Control & restrict interaction
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12. Mixed-reality gaming by Gbanga Millform AG, http://gbanga.com
Control & restrict interaction
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13. Mixed-reality gaming by Gbanga Millform AG, http://gbanga.com
Control & restrict interaction
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Rules, boundaries and obstacles restrict player
choice and reduce unused story volume.
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Add location & GPS to the mix
Interaction graph at
location A
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Add location & GPS to the mix
6 plots per location
x 4 locations
= 24 plot lines
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“Reduce” the matrix
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How to prevent a
person walking
somewhere?
LocationA
LocationB
LocationC
LocationD
20. Mixed-reality gaming by Gbanga Millform AG, http://gbanga.com
Mixed-reality
• Context = n elements of reality influence the
story:
– Weather conditions
– Time of the day
– Proximity to friends
– Other players choices
– Display that is used
• Facebook in browser on notebook at home
• Mobile phone app
24. Mixed-reality gaming by Gbanga Millform AG, http://gbanga.com
Possible solution
Instead of a grid or a cloud of plot elements:
• Use a mechanic universe system
• Use implicit choices
• Use areas/rooms of story lines
• Use moments of drama
• Slow down “consumption” with puzzles
25. Mixed-reality gaming by Gbanga Millform AG, http://gbanga.com
Mechanic universe in Zooh
Animals chat
with playerPlayer
collects
animals
Player
plants
jungle
Animal return
to jungle
Player
abandons
area/game
Animals
beg for help
Zoo keeper
gives seeds
Player
returns
animals
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Implicit choices
If player has more than
100 points, take green
plot line
If it is raining and player is at
Zurich HB, take purple plot line
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Rooms/areas of dramaturgy
Bad decision
Climax
Exposition
Falling
action
Denoucement,
resolution
* Freytag’s pyramid
29. Mixed-reality gaming by Gbanga Millform AG, http://gbanga.com
Rooms/areas of dramaturgy
Bad decision
Climax
Exposition
Falling
action
Denoucement,
resolution
* Freytag’s pyramid
State of knowledge
(dialogs held, chapters
read, …) differ for each
individual trip. No local
assumptions possible!
30. Mixed-reality gaming by Gbanga Millform AG, http://gbanga.com
Slow down with puzzles/mini-games
Time of gameplay
Time won
31. Mixed-reality gaming by Gbanga Millform AG, http://gbanga.com
Slow down with puzzles/mini-games
Time of gameplay
Extremely hard
puzzle at the end to
prevent players from
“reading beyond the
end” of the story.