Our generation grew up online. So it's only natural that stories told by our generation are, by their nature, defined by the online spaces they inhabit. In this talk, CJ and mabbees talk about a new genre of games; interface dramas, and why they redefine the way our generation and younger will tell stories. Talk given at Nerd Nite Tokyo, December 16, 2022.

1. And I’m
Mabbees!
I’m CJ.
@illuminesce on
cohost
@mabbees on
cohost

2. Here are some games we’ve worked on.

5. nintendo.com

7. R.A. Montgomery and R.L. Stine

9. Doki Doki Literature Club

11. SIMULACRA, 2017
Hypnospace Outlaw, 2019
Telling Lies, 2019
Secret Little Haven, 2018

12. Interface Drama
A new way of telling stories through software

13. Interface
Drama
the interactive part of technology
used to tell an immersive story

14. SIMULACRA, 2017
Hypnospace Outlaw, 2019
Telling Lies, 2019
Secret Little Haven, 2018

15. 1. You are the main character

16. 2. It has an immersive environment
focused on story

17. WARNING:
Next slide contains loud noise,
flashing lights.

18. 3. It uses interface elements to add
tension to the drama

19. 4. It rewards players for being
curious

20. Interface Drama:
An immersive story told through software and app
interfaces.

21. Interface Drama in Context

22. Interface Dramas
Visual Novels
Alternate Reality Games
Simulation Games Point-and-click
Adventures
Interactive
Fiction
Text Based
Adventure
Games
Conversation
Systems
Choose Your Own
Adventure

23. Interface Dramas
Visual Novels
Alternate Reality Games
Simulation Games Point-and-click
Adventures
Interactive
Fiction
Text Based
Adventure
Games
Conversation
Systems
Choose Your Own
Adventure
Puzzle Solving

24. Interface Dramas
Visual Novels
Alternate Reality Games
Simulation Games Point-and-click
Adventures
Interactive
Fiction
Text Based
Adventure
Games
Conversation
Systems
Choose Your Own
Adventure
Verisimilitude
(true-to-life)

25. Interface Dramas
Visual Novels
Alternate Reality Games
Simulation Games Point-and-click
Adventures
Interactive
Fiction
Text Based
Adventure
Games
Conversation
Systems
Choose Your Own
Adventure
Character-driven

26. Interface Dramas
Visual Novels
Alternate Reality Games
Simulation Games Point-and-click
Adventures
Interactive
Fiction
Text Based
Adventure
Games
Conversation
Systems
Choose Your Own
Adventure

27. Interface Dramas
Alternate Reality Games
“Break the 4th wall” by using real-
world experiences (websites, email,
text, etc)
Take place entirely within the software

28. Interface Dramas
Visual Novels
Tell stories through in-context text
and clues
Tell stories through narration and
spoken dialogue

29. Interface Dramas
Simulation Games Use game elements to tell stories
Use game elements to create scenarios
for training, exploration, and play

30. Interface Dramas Point-and-click
Adventures
Visuals to evoke software interfaces
Visuals to portray fantasy settings,
characters, and events

31. Rejected Genre Labels
Desktop Simulator UI Game

32. Why you should care about
interface dramas

33. Easy to learn. You can jump right in!

34. They can be historical artifacts

35. They’re new and fresh

36. They’re really fun!

37. But really, what is Terranova?

39. How can I play some Interface
Dramas?

40. Interface Dramas!
• Cibele
• Her Story
• Telling Lies
• Immortality
• Simulacra
• Terranova
• Secret Little Haven
• Emily is Away
• Hypnospace Outlaw
• Needy Streamer Overload
https://bit.ly/interface-dramas

41. And I’m
Mabbees!
I’m CJ.
@illuminesce on
cohost
@mabbees on
cohost