Here we are again with figuring out the problem… its there in the back of my mind so I will do my best to coax it out into the open. As I see it is that interactive stories on a digital device has brought the experience to be a 1:1 ratio between the user and the program. True, there is outside collaboration however the person who has the digital device in their hand is the final decider of where the interactive story is directed based on the choices presented.
Is that really the design issue? A 1:1 experience? Well if you look at it from a different perspective you can see the reasons why a collaborative effort is more fun and builds teamwork. By having an interactive story that only works with one individual they are closed off to other additional perspectives so they do not grow from their experience. As I write this I am reminded of the one scene from Ender’s Game where Ender is playing an interactive story/game that requires him to think of different ways to get past a certain obstacle. He is questioned by one of the other students and while discussing the options that he had to choose from he then comes up with another solution.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwW1QCurbm0
Okay so maybe we all cannot be Ender however with collaboration we can come to a choice much quicker than to be left to our own devices.
So what’s the design problem that I am trying to target for interactive stories? Hmmm… well we have the issue that most interactive stories are glued to their own apps or websites. There are some that are augmented reality that branch out but not many that utilize social media for a richer experience and teamwork.
The problem I would point out is this: Interactive stories are usually a solo experience that have the tendency to only be interacted with only once.
The solution: By providing a means of collaboration through social media to unlock/solve/choose the path of the interactive story will allow users to gain different perspectives or additional knowledge to the story in progress while still trying out what-if scenarios thus encouraging the re-engagement of the story once again after they finish experiencing it the first time.
All together now – statement:
Interactive stories are usually a solo experience that have the tendency to only be interacted with only once. By providing a means of collaboration through social media to unlock/solve/choose the path of the interactive story will allow users to gain different perspectives or additional knowledge to the story in progress while still trying out what-if scenarios thus encouraging the re-engagement of the story once again after they finish experiencing it the first time.