INTERACTIVE STORYTELLINGINVESTIGATING MULTIMEDIA AND INTERACTIVITY TO CREATEINNOVATIVE NARRATIVES IN DIGITAL CHILDREN’S LITERATURE

Sam HeislerMProf Games Development

ABSTRACT

Digital children’s literature in form of book applications has become an active element in children’s publishing. However there remains a lack of standards and design models within this domain. This project aims to analyze interactivity and multimedia capabilities in order to create more innovative narratives for digital children’s books. Thereby the interactive narrative aspires to combine both educational and fun elements. Additionally this project analyses the relationship between narrative flow and interactivity in order to improve the design of digital interactive stories.

Children’s literature has evolved to incorporate a wide range of media formats with complex, interactive and playful design. Digital book applications further enhance this interactive multimedia experience by fusing text, still and moving images and audio.

Choice of Literature

The Story of Johnny Head-in-Air

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/12116/12116-h/12116-h.htm

Visual Adaptation

Two Perspectives• First Person View (of Johnny)• 3rd Person (Speech and when Hans falls/action

scenes)

Early Sketches

Early Sketches

Clouds in First Person View (of Johnny)

Early Sketches

Audio

Story Driving Environment Audio• Dog is coming nearer -> audio clue• Falling into water sound

People’s Speeches• "Look at little Johnny there,

Little Johnny Head-In-Air!"• "Johnny, mind, the dog is nigh!"• "Silly little Johnny, look,

You have lost your writing-book!"

Environment and Ambient Sound

Project Focus

• Create interesting visual art style

• Concept design

Additional Literature Idea

The Dreadful Story of Harriet and the Matches

Player is placed in a room with only one interactive object: The matches.

Choice to use them or not.

-> Moral: Don’t play with fire.

Thank You. Any Questions?