“Robots are Eating the Building: Narrative for Increased Engagement”

Alternate Reality Games for Training

Andy PetroskiSr. New Product Development ConsultantCorporate FacultyHarrisburg University of Science & Technology@apetroskiwww.linkedin.com/in/apetroski/http://www.slideshare.net/apetroski

Charles PalmerExecutive DirectorProfessor of Interactive MediaHarrisburg University of Science & Technology@charlespalmerwww.linkedin.com/in/charleslpalmer/http://www.slideshare.net/charlespalmerhu/

www.gamificationforperformance.com (sign up)Twitter: @ARGGamificationFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gamificationforperformance

Buy on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1RKPfJN

What is your main reason for attending this webinar?

Improve ID techniques

Expand storytelling techniques

Increase learner engagement

Interesting topic

Learning about ARGs

Robots are Eating the Building: Narrative for Increased Engagement

Narrative for Increased Engagement

Power of Story

Learner Types and

Story Method

s

Plot, Setting,

and Subject

Story Perspectiv

es

Story Structure

The Power of Story and Narrative

What impact did this video have on you? | What impact do you think it had on the audience at the conference?

Chat: What is your favorite story and why is it your favorite story?

Cinderella

• Stepmother• Fairy Godmother• Ball at the Palace• Prince• Glass Slipper• Happily Ever After

Neuromodulatorschemicals that impact our behavior

Acetylcholineattention

Norepinephrinenovelty (cool!)

Dopaminereward & pleasure

Emotion

“Although many of us think of ourselves as thinking creatures that feel, biologically we are feeling creatures that think.”

(Bolte Taylor, 2008, pg. 19) – A Stroke of Insight)

Info

Info

Activity

Info

Quiz

Methods

Info

Info

Activity

Info

Quiz

Story

Story

Story

Story

Story

Maria is preparing her expense report today. After stepping in a mud puddle on the way into the building, banging her knee on the corner of her desk, and spilling her coffee all over her receipts, she’s ready to start entering expenses. Here are the four steps Maria must remember to enter her expenses correctly.

Methods

Story

Story

Story

Story

Story

Info

Reflect

Evaluate

Decide

Apply

Info

Info

narrative

obser vation

conversation

Techniques

Exaggeration

Humor

Scenes

Alternate Reality Games

ARGs combine real-world experience with fictional clues, puzzles and communication in a collaborative game format. The story-based and problem-based experience promotes the use of physical and online resources, collaboration among game players and critical thinking related to the storyline and problem-based activities.

Story Perspectives

Column A Column B

RealisticThe story and/or the learner’s role is realistic.

ConnectedA connected perspective is explicitly connected to the performance goals for the learner.

FictionalThe story and/or the learner’s role is fictional.

DisconnectedA disconnected perspective is implicitly connected to the performance goals for the learner.

Pick one from column A and one from column B

“However, an experience that will remain with a player, long after the credits

roll is, in my opinion, the effectiveness of the story. Truly great games stick

with you because of memorable story elements that made you

laugh, smile, cry or even to the extent of changing your perception

on gaming in general.”

Check out the “Designing game narrative” article from HitBox Team for more tips on building great game storieshttp://hitboxteam.com/designing-game-narrative

Common Story Structure

• Act One (Setup)– Beginning – Inciting Incident– Second thoughts

• Act Two– Obstacle– Obstacle– Obstacle– Disaster– Crisis

• Act Three– Descending action– Wrap-up– End

Blake Snyder’s "Save the Cat" approach

Basic ARG Story Components

Challenge

Where to begin?

1. Initiation2. Preproduction

a. Build teamsb. Define goals, objectives, and

preliminary schedulec. Design the experienced. Document the idea and processe. Build a media planf. Put it all together

3. 3. Productiona. Create a treatmentb. Build componentsc. Prepare to fail

4. 4. Postproduction5. 5. Go live

a. Hosting the gameb. Starting the gamec. Monitoring the experienced. Ending the game

6. 6. Debrief

Brainstorming

6 tips for conducting successful brainstorming sessions

1. Identify your goals2. Decide who should attend3. Friendly comfortable environment4. Get brainstorming

1. Warm up2. Brain dump3. Divergent thinking4. Ideation

5. Don’t discourage silence, and yes there are bad ideas

6. Know when to call it quits

http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/26133/6-Steps-to-Conducting-a-Successful-Content-Brainstorming-Session.aspx

Brainstorming

Brainstorming Tools

http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/26133/6-Steps-to-Conducting-a-Successful-Content-Brainstorming-Session.aspx

Diverge from traditional media

Traditional media production• Refinement• Off to production

ARG media production• Participation evaluation• Refinement• Treatment• Off to production

OutcomesChallengesSettingsCharacters

Levels of Participation and Activities

Participation Activities

Passive Reading, watching, collecting

Active Puzzles, short challenge questions, light research or collaboration, two-way digital communication

Immersive World building and customization, asset crafting, extensive communication

OutcomesChallengesSettingsCharacters

Down the rabbit hole

OutcomesChallengesSettingsCharacters

Location, location, location

OutcomesChallengesSettingsCharacters

Location, location, location

OutcomesChallengesSettingsCharacters

Location, location, location

OutcomesChallengesSettingsCharacters

Creating characters…

OutcomesChallengesSettingsCharacters

• Who are they• Where do the come from• How will they interact with the player(s)• Friend or Foe?• Mix character archetypes

– Flat– Round– Dynamic– Static– Stock– Foil– Confidante

http://learn.lexiconic.net/characters.htm

Designing with players in mind

OutcomesChallengesSettingsCharacters+ the player

Okay, go.

Outcome Challenge

Setting Character

Questions?

ResourcesGamificationforperformance.com [sign up for announcements]

ARGNet: http://www.argn.com/

Story Impacts Learning and Performance

Story Wonk Podcasts

Story Idea Generator

Character Name Generator

ResourcesNorth American Simulation and Gaming Association: http://www.nasaga.org/page/our-conferences

CUNY Games Festival: https://gamesfest2016.commons.gc.cuny.edu/

Twine:http://twinery.org

The Brainstormer:http://bit.ly/5_Brainstorm2

HitBox Team – “Designing game narrative”http://hitboxteam.com/designing-game-narrative

www.gamificationforperformance.com (sign up)Twitter: @ARGGamificationFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gamificationforperformance

Buy on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1RKPfJN

Upcoming Webinars

Levels of Learner Activity and 10 Participation Points for GryffindorTuesday, May 171 PM EST