User-Centred Design and Evaluation of Non-player Characters in Games
Speaker: Penny Drennan, ITEE
When: 2003-10-23 12:00:00
Venue: 78-420
Host: A/Prof Janet Wiles
Abstract:Non-player characters (NPCs) fill a wide range of roles in computer
games, from shopkeepers and soldiers through to team-mates and
opponents, which all contribute to creating realistic and
well-rounded fantasy worlds for game players. However, most NPCs do
not add to the engagement of game players, as the behaviour of the
NPCs is predictable and their dialogue is completely scripted. There
has been some previous research aimed at improving the quality of
NPCs, most of which has been based on the assumption that NPCs
should be as human-like and realistic as possible. While it may be
valid to assume that game players would like NPCs to be more
human-like, this assumption has not been thoroughly examined. This
project aims to determine the characteristics of NPC behaviour in
games that adds to players’ engagement, and how these
characteristics can be demonstrated to the player. The deliverables
of this project will be design and evaluation guidelines for
engaging NPCs, as these are the first steps in the process of
creating engaging NPCs. The information that will form the basis of
these guidelines will be gathered from three observational studies
of users interacting with NPCs, which are the three studies of this
project.
Biography:(biography unavailable)
Type: Ph.D confirmation
Contact:A/Prof Janet Wiles, seminar host (janetw@itee.uq.edu.au)
or Guido Governatori (ITEE seminar co-ordinator)
(guido@itee.uq.edu.au)