Synthetic Group Dynamics in Entertainment Scenarios: Creating Believable Interactions in Groups of Synthetic Characters [PDF]

Abstract_ Today, many interactive games and virtual communities engage several users and synthetic characters, all interacting in the same virtual environment. In addition, these interactive scenarios, often present tasks to the participants that must be solved collaboratively. However, to achieve successful and believable interactions between users and such synthetic characters, the latter must be able to show a coherent and set of behaviours. Thus, in scenarios where users and synthetic characters interact as a group, it is very important that the interactions follow a believable group dynamics. Focusing on this problem, we have developed a model that supports the dynamics of a group of synthetic characters, inspired by theories of group dynamics developed in human social psychological sciences. The dynamics is driven by a characterization of the different types of interactions that may occur in the group. This characterization addresses socio-emotional interactions as well as task related interactions. We have implemented the model into the behaviour of synthetic characters that collaborate with the user in the resolution of tasks within a collaborative game. This game was used in an evaluation experiment which showed that the model had a positive effect on the users’ social engagement in the group, namely on their trust and identification with the group.
Year_ 2005
Keywords_ autonomous synthetic characters, group dynamics, collaboration, human-computer interaction
Authors_ Rui Prada, Ana Paiva
Booktitle_ ACE'2005 - ACM SIGCHI 2nd International Conference on Advances in Computer Entertainment Technology
Volume_ 265
Series_ ACM International Conference Proceeding Series
Publisher_ ACM
Address_ Valencia, Spain
Month_ June

Bibtex_
@inproceedings { prada05, abstract = {Today, many interactive games and virtual communities engage several users and synthetic characters, all interacting in the same virtual environment. In addition, these interactive scenarios, often present tasks to the participants that must be solved collaboratively. However, to achieve successful and believable interactions between users and such synthetic characters, the latter must be able to show a coherent and set of behaviours. Thus, in scenarios where users and synthetic characters interact as a group, it is very important that the interactions follow a believable group dynamics. Focusing on this problem, we have developed a model that supports the dynamics of a group of synthetic characters, inspired by theories of group dynamics developed in human social psychological sciences. The dynamics is driven by a characterization of the different types of interactions that may occur in the group. This characterization addresses socio-emotional interactions as well as task related interactions. We have implemented the model into the behaviour of synthetic characters that collaborate with the user in the resolution of tasks within a collaborative game. This game was used in an evaluation experiment which showed that the model had a positive effect on the users’ social engagement in the group, namely on their trust and identification with the group.}, address = {Valencia, Spain}, booktitle = {ACE'2005 - ACM SIGCHI 2nd International Conference on Advances in Computer Entertainment Technology}, keywords = {autonomous synthetic characters, group dynamics, collaboration, human-computer interaction}, month = {June}, publisher = {ACM}, series = {ACM International Conference Proceeding Series}, title = {Synthetic Group Dynamics in Entertainment Scenarios: Creating Believable Interactions in Groups of Synthetic Characters}, volume = {265}, year = {2005}, author = {Rui Prada and Ana Paiva} }