One of the great difficulties in maintaining an immersive and believable game world lies in dialogue between the player character and the game NPCs (Non-player characters).
In many dialogue-using games, such as
Knights of the Old Republic or
Morrowind, conversations with NPCs are kept to a scripted and limited series of choices in which to communicate. Although such linear intereaction allows for preplanned scenarios and ease in the gameplay design, drawbacks are inevitable. A limited variety of options with predestined results can make players feel constrained and generally disconnected from the actual dialogue.
Meanwhile, on the other end of the scale, there are games which use a far less limiting structure, either by allowing the player to make statements freely or use basic combinations of sentence structures based on the npc's speech. This, of course, can be equally disasterous; when a player can not be given defined choices, gathering information can become difficult.
Therefore, a middle-ground must be reached between the extremes, a hybrid style of gameplay using free-form speaking and defined npc knowledge. While many games or interactive utilities attempt to reach such a point, few have actually succeeded.
However, the creature brought forth by Zabaware, known by many as Ultra Hal, could be the answer. By using such a system for npc/player communication a new dimension of interactivity could materialize. Dialogue between a player and their NPC counterpart would become far more realistic and much more immersive.
Responses to subjects brought forth by the player in a game would be far more varied and tailored to the current conversation, better simulating the actions of a real human being. NPCs (each containing their own 'packet' of data and personality-based responses), would interact with the player in a new and exciting way. Certain NPCs, having specified sets of knowledge, could take an 'interest' in the players discussion, assimilating player responses into a general category of learned information and using that information to further the current discussion.
Meanwhile, such an interactive community would not just be limited to one player to that particular NPC. Rather yet, such a system could also incorporate NPC to NPC interaction. A vast network of communication would spread facts and rumors, game events would pass from ear to ear, in the same way that 'items' in a game could be traded or purchased. This, in turn, produces an echo effect in response to the players actions. A good deed leads to a good word, which boosts the player's reputation. Also, a major event or occurence would suddenly become the topic of discussion for idle NPCs (amongst each other), if only as a basic statement at a passing glance.
As this system of knowledge grows, so would the depth of the world as a whole. Basic facts or data obtained by a single NPC could easily spread to others via communication. Soon, based on NPC personalities, reactions would form. Certain NPCs could view certain actions as good or bad, for example. Thus, each response could appear to be more unique, although the data gathered is exactly the same. A diverse system of opinions and relations would make excellent gameplay.
Although it is a given fact that such systems would have to have limitations, such as new information replacing the old and whatnot (not to mention a method to properly handle such large amounts of data being constantly transfered about the game), a bright future for gameplay and interactivity could be developed. Oh the
possibilities...
I was wondering if anyone else shared this point of view about the potential applications of the Ultra Hal Assistant's learning capablities. [
] (Sorry if this was a bit lengthy, I just kept typing and typing [
])
