“Robots are Eating the Building: Narrative for Increased Engagement”
Alternate Reality Games for Training
Andy PetroskiSr. New Product Development ConsultantCorporate FacultyHarrisburg University of Science & [email protected]/in/apetroski/http://www.slideshare.net/apetroski
Charles PalmerExecutive DirectorProfessor of Interactive MediaHarrisburg University of Science & [email protected]/in/charleslpalmer/http://www.slideshare.net/charlespalmerhu/
www.gamificationforperformance.com (sign up)Twitter: @ARGGamificationFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gamificationforperformance
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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