Visual Scenario Representation in the Context of a Tool for Interactive Storytelling

Abstract

Tools, such as Macromedia Director and Flash which are commonly used in the development of interactive stories, are based upon linear means of representation i.e. timelines, reflecting their evolution from animation packages. In the development of INSCAPE, however, which is a tool dedicated to the creation of interactive stories, we have been able to readdress the notion of visual scenario representation for interactive stories through the development of a ‘Story Editor‘ component which acts as a means of organising story assets and presenting story structures as coherent patterns of information. This paper describes the process which has resulted in the development of a Story Editor component which will be released in INSCAPE’s Beta application at the end of 2007. It outlines the theoretical grounding of this work as well as providing a description of the design approach and its implications for the further development of interactive storytelling authoring tools.