Being one who has gaming as the pinnacle of their professional
existence, I was very interested on how an interactive storytelling
system would migrate as a gameplay element. One of my personal
highlights that were brought fourth during the conference was the
possible reaction at a consumer level and how an interactive
storytelling environment would be viewed. Essentially since videogames
are the most prominently clichéd medium of “interactive
entertainment”, interactive storytelling would be initially viewed as
an equivalent.
In its pure form, the theory behind interactive storytelling is a
method that lets the player immerse themselves into a story that
dynamically forms around their actions. Taking even a smidgen of this,
even in the most infant form, I feel can improve gameplay greatly.
Mainly, I was impressed on the current status on the subject. With
different projects undertaking development research on interactive
drama and storytelling, I am sure some breakthrough of some kind will
happen in the next few years.
Overall I found that Phrontisterion was an excellent focus group
session. The material that was coved, I think those in attendance put
more in-depth thought into what we are trying to achieve through
interactive storytelling and how it differentiates from interactive
drama. For the most part, I am greatly interested when this form of
medium is thrown into a traditional game situation and improves
gameplay to a great extent.