Synergies between interactive training simulations and digital storytelling: a component-based framework

A vital requirement for a successful software framework for digital storytelling is that it takes the abilities and background of the story authors into account. Dedicated tools should support authors in expressing their stories within this framework at an adequate level and point out an according authoring process for digital stories. The software framework should provide communication interfaces between technology experts, storytelling experts and application domain-experts. These requirements are similar to the ones already encountered when setting up a framework for interactive training applications. We present a concept how component and framework methodologies from software engineering as well as concepts from artificial intelligence can foster the design of such a software framework. The software architecture of our proposed framework is discussed as well as the according authoring process and tools. An implementation of our concept is described and lessons learned during using this framework in the application domain of emergency training are addressed. Although the framework has been applied for training purposes in particular, it can be used as a basis for a digital storytelling framework in general. r 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.