Titulo Estágio
Design of a Playable Generative Mystery Narrative System
Local do Estágio
CISUC Interactive Media Lab
Enquadramento
The proposed challenge consists of a horror-adventure mystery game set in a fictional world. The plot follows a private detective who is commissioned to investigate a missing person’s case in a distant district. The novelty comes from involving the player in deciphering subliminal messages and objects, and interpreting various dialogues with varied-trust non-player characters. Information hiding, depending on what the player uncovers, will influence whether the player’s path and ability to solve the mystery. The game will focus on building an eerie atmosphere, with an ambiguous narrative universe, and distrusting protagonist. This can include dream sequences that explore motivations, plot alternatives and themes at different times and spaces. The challenge lies in crafting an experience that allows the player to narratively immerse themselves, progressing through the story by seeking information, using deduction, identifying contradictions, and investigating a conspiracy that may lead to dead ends and misleading clues.
Objetivo
On a technical level, this requires skills development such as player experience and game design thinking, programming and problem-solving related to video game development, and the design of multiple artifacts including UI elements and in-game objects with a distinct visual identity. Additionally, the proposal offers the possibility to develop 3D and sound design skills to construct the game world.
The main technical challenge will be designing a generative narrative system and player interface that supports world exploration and mystery-solving keeping the player on the edge by carefully managing information hidden, exploring limited animations and audiovisual resources to portray scenes and NPC (helpers, liers, withholders).
The mais objective is the design and development of proof of concept for:
a) Studying the state of the art in playable narrative generation;
b) Proposal and testing of playable narrative patterns;
d) Evaluation of the quality and effectiveness of generative narrative.
Plano de Trabalhos - Semestre 1
A1. (M1 - M3) State of the art research - research and document the relevant SoA, publications and software review; Detailed characterisation of the problem to be solved stating specific goals and requirements; Mapping of assumptions and milestones for the rest of the project;
A2. (M3 - M4) Design Proposal - Conceiving of a design proposal for the specific playable narrative context, including gameplay and interaction models and rehearsal of low-res prototype;
A3. (M1 - M5) Draft Paper - production of a synthesis of state of the art, documented design proposal and early evaluation for a research paper;
Plano de Trabalhos - Semestre 2
A4. (M6 - M8) Prototyping - iterative implementation of a proof-of-concept prototype, tuning and corrections based on evaluation results (3 monthly cycles);
A5. (M9) Evaluation - definition of evaluation criteria and method; performing evaluations and analysis of results;
A6. (M10) Dissertation - Dissertation on design research process and knowledge production
Condições
We seek a candidate that feels at ease with or is willing to embrace software design and programming challenges, enthusiastic of play forms, a desire for collaborative research explorations, an active imagination and motivated for learning.
Observações
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Orientador
Licinio Roque and Mariana Seiça
lir@dei.uc.pt 📩