Towards the realization of interactive storytelling control systems : validation of a scenario based on a linear logic model ; Aide à la réalisation de systèmes de pilotage de narration interactive : validation d'un scénario basée sur un modèle en logique linéaire

The objective of this PhD thesis is to provide a model, a method and a tool for producing interactive scenarios. Our solution solves the opposition between the controlle devolution of a video game and its interactivity level. In other words, our goal is to assist (authors) in producing video games whose unfolding satisfies authors’ intentions while it is simultaneously influenced by player’s choices (expressed via her/his actions).To this purpose, our proposal is to allow users to produce a good quality game scenario model, which is: (a) rich – the scenario provides enough pertinent options for player/non-player characters so that the player can determine the evolution of the game and always feels that the created discourse is interesting, (b) valid – all the possible discourses in the scenario are consistent and meet authors required effects, (c) operational – the representation of the scenario is executable. This scenario is then used as the input of an interactive storytelling control system to assist it in managing the unfolding of the game. As a consequence, the evolution of the video games, which are directed by such a control system, guarantees authors requirements, while at the same time, it depends on player’s actions. In order to execute the foregoing proposal, we base our solution on a calculable mathematical model (linear logic) which provides rigorous and automatic deduction mechanisms. We have made an overview of existing approaches concerning interactive storytelling controland scenario validation problems. This allows us to identify necessary principles for our solution, such as: architecture elements of a control system; construction, representation, implementation of narrative scenarios; important narrative properties; reference evolution of the drama parameters; discourse structuralization; scenario validation strategy; necessary statistical and qualitative information; etc. Our contributions consist (1) in the definition of a set of narrative properties specifying the quality of game ...