Level 3 Team Project - Source Analysis (Related Studies)

As part of the teams ongoing research, I've written a short two page document on Katherine Isbister and Clifford Nass' 'Consistency of Personality in Interesting Characters' study.

"The study ‘Consistency of Personality in Interactive Characters’ performed by Katherine Isbister and Clifford Nass examines how people respond to four different on-screen characters, one introvert with matched dialogue, another introvert with extrovert dialogue and vice-versa."

"Ultimately, Isbister and Nass predicted that those who interacted with one of the on-screen figures that possessed a matching posture and personality would be the most likely candidates to be influenced by that character, leading them to change their answers. By doing this, Isbister and Nass prove that the more consistent a character is, the more believable they appear to the player. In addition to this, it’s also hypothesized that out of all the versions of the character, the extrovert with consistent responses would influence almost all candidates under it to change their answers. This would prove that, as this figure has both charismatic poses and interesting responses, it would be the most engaging character out of the four." 

I feel that this source is one of the most important encountered during our research so far. Due to this, not only has this analysis been written, but also all team members have been asked to at least skim-read the fifteen page report alongside the two page document.

To download the full two page .pdf version of the source analysis, click here.

Level 3 Team Project - Week 11

This week the team spent time going over our plans for the project testing, refining our ideas and coming up with a solid testing strategy. We decided to go with three methods of collecting test data; observation, video logging and questionnaires. We spent time discussing how each of the three methods would be recorded, paying special attention to what methods we could use to gather the desired metrics via video logging.

We also spent time planning out our test environment and back story, giving a basic premise that will both leave lots of room for interaction and connections between the subject and the NPC, while also being emotionally engaging in itself.

During the week, I spent my time contributing to group discussing and starting work on our Milestone 1 Presentation layout. Hopefully the Presentation will be near finished for the dry run on Tuesday.

To view the Team Fable project blog, click here.

To view all of the Team Project diary entries, click here.

Level 3 Team Project - Easter (Weeks 8 - 10)

During the Easter break, I was set a couple of tasks to complete ready for the first week back. The team plans to have a meet up either on the 19th of April, discussing all work completed over the short holiday and how we can use this work to help refine our test.

I wrote up a two page document discussing ideas for our test, along with a breakdown of each of the three points talking about both the pros and cons of that particular 'feature.' Hopefully, this document will help aid the discussions made in the team meeting on the 19th, with all members presenting their own ideas alongside the ones I have written. The document can be found here.

Other work completed during Easter consisted of updating the GANTT chart so that it now covers the Easter period and also performing brief research into tests similar to that of ours.

Level 3 Team Project - Test Ideas and Breakdown

As part of our Level 3 Team Project Easter work, I've completed a short two page document discussing several ideas we could consider when producing our test artefact. 

The document breaks down three mechanics; Interactive Dialogue, Weapon Exclusivity and an In-game Feedback system- providing an explanation of each, all stating how the mechanic would be used, why and what outcomes it would create.

To download the full two page .pdf version of the document, click here.

Level 3 Team Project - Week 7

This week the team spent time going over the feedback given to us during the two weekly meetings and discussing what steps we now need to take to help refine our project test. We hope to have a concrete testing process by the time we return after Easter, something we feel we can achieve by performing research into tests of a similar nature and by each coming up with several ideas each for use within the testing environment.

During the week I contributed to group discussion, while also working on updating the teams Gantt Chart and plan ready for presenting during our first Milestone Presentation on the 30th of April.

As it's now the Easter break, no blog posts will be uploaded onto my individual blog until the week commencing the 19th of April.

To view the Team Fable project blog, click here.

To view all of the Team Project diary entries, click here.

Level 3 Team Project - Week 6

This week the team spent all our time working on our Pitch Presentation, which was presented to both Brian and Phil on Friday the 19th. All members contributed to the Presentation, both in terms of content and speaking. We were, however, advised by Phil to consider having only one or two speakers for future Presentations. The PowerPoint ended up eight slides long and included all the necessary information we'd written in our Design, Pitch and Plan document.

I feel the Presentation ran relatively smoothly, with all members of the team having the chance to speak and talk about all they wished to mention. We received plenty of feedback from Brian and Phil, with mainly positive words said overall regarding the project.

We were told the main issue we currently have is test measurement- how we are going to measure our test candidates and what exactly are we testing them for. Phil also mentioned the repetition found in our current test- if having players run through the same level twice, will it negatively affect our results?

With the Easter break fast approaching, I hope for the team to have our test details further developed keeping this recent feedback in mind, hopefully leading for them to be to be set in stone before the Milestone 1 presentation on the 30th of April. Work to do over the three week Easter break will be discussed, with us deciding what needs to be done and who should do it before we hit Milestone 1.

To view the Team Fable project blog, click here.

To view all of the Team Project diary entries, click here.

Level 3 Team Project - Week 5

This week we spent our time finalising the Design Document, Pitch and Plan. All members contributed to the document and we ended up with a ten page piece, printed and presented during our meeting with Claire on Tuesday. My contribution to the document remained at the Pitch and Plan sections, which saw me working with fellow team members to complete both Phase I and III.

Also this week I have started work on our Pitch Presentation, which is something to be presented to Brian and Phil next Friday. Already we have a 'dry run' version of the presentation completed for the meeting with Claire next Tuesday. By performing the 'dry run' presentation, we'll have some practise and advice about our slide show and discussion before the real thing.

Overall, I'm very happy with the teams design document and feel confident for our presentation next week. I plan to have a final presentation completed during the next few days and by next weekend we should have some useful feedback from Brian and Phil, something that will be both posted and discussed on the team blog.

To view the Team Fable project blog, click here.

To view all of the Team Project diary entries, click here.

Level 3 Team Project - Week 4

This week work got well under way on our Design Document, Pitch and Plan. I spent my time writing half of the Pitch, half of the Plan, planning out our five major milestones complete with dates and writing a five page case study on the non-playable characters found within the Xbox 360 game, Fable II.

My Fable II report discussed NPC archetypes and stereotypes, compared the characteristics of certain NPCs to others and provides an analytical insight into their roles. To read the full report, click here.

I felt that most of the team has kept working hard this week with the majority of the Design Document completed before the busy weekend ahead, a time that must also be allocated to other units.

The upcoming week is going to be an interesting juggle of work with a hand-in for another unit fast approaching. Regardless, our Design Document hand-in is Tuesday and following that date I hope to write up some more scientific research along with spending time working with our Presentation, so that it's ready for the feedback session on the 19th or March.

To view the Team Fable project blog, click here.

To view all of the Team Project diary entries, click here.