Is the wolf angry or ... just hungry? Inspecting, modifying and sharing characters’ minds

In this paper we will discuss different types of control over synthetic characters in interactive stories. We will argue that, to attain a deeper and more engaging control, in certain conditions, users should be able to inspect, disclose, and modify the characters minds. To illustrate this idea, we will present a collaborative virtual environment called Teatrix, designed for children to build their own stories fairy tales. In Teatrix, virtual actors play roles (such as: villain, hero, etc.) and may be controlled either by children or by the system. Teatrix allows children to go into the minds of the characters through a special tool named ”hot seating”. Teatrix is already in use by children ages between 7 and 9 in the context of a Computer-Integrated Classroom scenario installed in a school. The initial evaluations show that the use of the ”Hot Seating” tool is a fundamental element for children to feel in control of their characters and thus stay in character for their virtual performances.