EPOCH Showcase 2.4.6 AVATAR-BASED INTERACTIVE STORYTELLING

Dissemination Level PU Public X PP Restricted to other programme participants (including the Commission Services) RE Restricted to a group specified by the consortium (including the Commission Services) CO Confidential, only for members of the consortium (including the Commission Services) Storytelling is a familiar and effective way to convey information to a general audience, especially in the field of Cultural Heritage. Yet with the increasing use of standardized interactive applications in museums and historic sites, it is difficult to appeal to a wide range of visitor interests. This problem can be solved through the use of interactive storytelling, which allows the visitor to choose from a large selection of subjects and themes to create a personalized " story, " appropriate to his or her interests and the time available for the visit. Presentation systems featuring interactive storytelling should be easy to update and maintain, without the expertise of technical specialists. Text-based interactive story telling applications, driven by a relatively simple XML or database application, allow museum and site staff to update the content by merely typing in texts. Recorded narration is generally more effective than text in conveying information to the visitor, but its use in interactive storytelling has a major drawback concerning updating : changing minor parts of the content requires major investments in time and money (studio recording sessions, editing, digitizing) which often results in discouraging frequent updates and jeopardizing the entire update process. By adding synthetic voice capabilities to the interactive storytelling system, this problem of updating time and expense can be effectively addressed. Text-to-voice translation software makes it possible to create narration from the keyboard. Simple software tools can be used to alter intonation or stress significant words, making the synthetic speech more lifelike. The sound files can be easily exchanged in the application and they can provide narration in several languages. An additional element can greatly enhance the effectiveness of an interactive storytelling system: the use of an avatar to serve as personal guide and storyteller for each visitor. Interpretation specialists have long commented on the highly impersonal nature of the " disembodied " narrator's voice. The use of an avatar (or multiple avatars) can provide a distinct point of view, AVATAR BASED INTERACTIVE STORYTELLING Page 2 attitude, and physical appearance to enhance effect of the interactively created story on the particular visitor or visitor group. And this element too can be integrated into a …