The Synthetic Actors Reading Group is interested in how to design and construct synthetic or interactive computer-controlled characters, for user interface, interactive storytelling, or games. We draw on readings from agent architecture design, cognitive and affective modeling, psychology, drama theory, and literary criticism, among others.

Weekly Meetings are Wednesdays, 11:00 - 12:00 in Gates 259.

Week 1. (4/9/97) Orientation and reading list.

• Petta and Trappl, Personalities for synthetic actors: current issues and some perspectives.

• Scott Reilly, A methodology for building believable social agents
• Scott Reilly, The art of creating emotional and robust interactive characters
• Blumberg, Do we need autonomous animated characters?

• Murray, Flat and Round Believable Agents
• Elliott, The Gift of the Magi Revisited, and Revisited... (draft)
• Petta and Trappl, Why to Create Personalities for Synthetic Actors

• Rhodes and Maes, The Stage as a Character: Automatic Creation of Acts of God for Dramatic Effect.
• Bates, Loyall, and Reilly, An Architecture for Action, Emotion, and Social Behavior.

• Ryan, Possible Worlds, Artificial Intelligence, and Narrative Theory, Chapter 8 (pp. 148-156), Chapter 11.

• Costikyan, I have no words and I must design.
• Examine the Erasmatron system.

Mail Home	May 7, 1997