Category Archives: adventure games

Simulating true conversations in a computer game is tough stuff. We’re still some way away from effectively applying computational linguistics to game playing in a way that allows a wide range of natural language input, and I’m not even sure that’s an entirely desirable goal given the enormous complexity that this would introduce into game design. So for now the general approach is to restrict the range and format of player input using a system that is easily interpreted and applied, such as a “click to talk” or multiple choice dialogue tree system.

The question, however, is this: when you play a game that implements conversation, do you feel that playing through the conversation contributes in any way to gameplay? Or does the conversation feel [More...] Read the rest

While following the recent threads on RAIF (rec.arts.int-fiction) “Defining the Newbie” and “Expanding the IF Audience/Community”, I found myself most interested in these comments, in light of the recent blogs about characters as the focus of games:

Jimmy Maher:
“People love stories, and many will get excited by the idea of getting plunked down into the middle of a good one.”

Jeff Nyman:
“I find new people most often clamor for better and more engaging stories that actually keep them interested in what the heck is going on. Or asking for characters that actually seem like they play a part in the story rather than just being another ‘thing.’”

Blank:
“Stories are about *characters*. The thing that IF does least well is representing characters

[More...] Read the rest