CHARISMA.AI
As part of the MakerBox programme, we trialled a tool called Charisma.ai (made by games studio To Play For) with teams within the BBC. Charisma.ai helps make the authoring of free text entry stories – where users interact by talking to a character – straightforward. The tool uses a graph interface with built-in controls for different types of variables, arranged by narrative effect. We used the trial of Charisma.ai to explore different approaches to writing interactive fiction with members of BBC Writersroom
From the group, two pilots were produced for BBC Taster. Catfish put the user in an unusual dating experience and The Act saw them convincing their client (an AWOL superstar) to get on stage in time, all via the free text interface. The production process provided valuable insight and confirmed that a previously complex process that required close collaboration between writers and programmers could now be done by writers alone. Charisma's interface means that programmers aren't needed to look after understanding what a player means and what the correct response might be. It was a hugely valuable part of our ongoing research into interactivity and the intersection of technology, narratives, and creativity.
We're continuing to develop and discuss work with interactive narratives on MakerBox, and we're looking for new partners to test tools. Interaction - done well - can support curious mindsets and people's need to control their own pace of learning, but doing it well takes detailed work and understanding of the medium.
You can read more about the creation of these pilots, and charisma.ai, on the BBC R&D Blog and MakerBox tool page… https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2020-03-writing-tools-interactive-stories-charisma-ai-makerbox
www.bbc.co.uk/makerbox/tools/charisma.ai
Article written by Laure Dedecker in collaboration with Laura Harrison (BBC)
