The Future of Virtual Characters

Jesse Schell – AppCamp 2011

TSM Plug and Play

Pixie Hollow

Triazzle Slide here

Yale slide here

Tech #1: Facial Expression Tracking

Innovator’s Dilemma

Tech #2: Persistent Databases

Tech #3: Speech Recognition

The Prophecy of Chris Swain

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Tech #4: Natural Language Understanding

• Eliza: Please tell me what's been bothering you.you: I'm bored.Eliza: Do you enjoy being bored?you: No.Eliza: Does this make you feel unhappy?you: Yes.Eliza: Please go on.you: I want something to do.Eliza: Suppose you got something to do soon.you: That would be great!Eliza: Tell me more about that.you: I'm bored.Eliza: Is it because you are bored that you came to me?you: yes.Eliza: I see.

Tech #5: Emotion Sensing

Who will we talk to?

Our avatars.

Who will we talk to?

Our avatars Virtual Companions.

Tech #6: Integrated Multiplatform Games

Tech #7: Interface to Everything

• Facebook Events• GPS• Health Data• New Friends• Emails• Purchase info• Game Data• Work Status• Etc., etc….

Tech #8: Cognitive Tutor

Betty’s Brain – Vanderbilt University

“These kids know these characters aren’t alive, but they get engaged with the narrative, and play pretend, and it brings out a lot of good behaviors.”

Tech #9: Intelligent Actors

Tech #10: Augmented Reality

Virtual Companions will…

• Talk with us• Lead us on amazing adventures• Be everywhere• Have long term relationships with us• Change as we change• Teach us• Learn from us• Be an important part of our social life

Email: jesse@schellgames.comWeb: jesseschell.comTwitter: @jesseschell

Slides: slideshare.net/jesseschell

Thanks!