NARRATIVE: Navigating AI in Real-time for Reactive and Immersive Video-game Experiences
Authors
Ludvigsen, Rune Korsgaard ; Bouquin, Nicolai Lind ; Sum, Andreas Jin
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2024
Submitted on
2024-05-23
Abstract
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan AI-drevne NPC-chatbots påvirker empati og engagement i narrative spiloplevelser sammenlignet med traditionelle forgrenede dialogsystemer. Med afsæt i en gennemgang af litteratur og state-of-the-art udviklede forfatterne en narrativ oplevelse og gennemførte en A/B-test med 19 deltagere, hvor den eksperimentelle version anvendte en AI-baseret dialog-NPC, mens kontrolversionen benyttede forhåndsdefinerede svarmuligheder. Empati blev målt med en modificeret udgave af Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ), og elektromyografi (EMG) blev anvendt som supplerende verifikation af følelsesmæssige reaktioner; derudover blev lysten til at fortsætte med oplevelsen målt som indikator for engagement. Resultaterne viste ingen signifikant forskel i empati mellem grupperne, mens EMG-målingerne var utilstrækkelige til at give entydige konklusioner. Til gengæld fandt studiet en signifikant forskel i deltagernes lyst til at fortsætte oplevelsen, hvilket antyder, at AI-NPC’er kan forbedre spilleroplevelsen i narrative kontekster. Arbejdet bidrager med en eksperimentel ramme for at vurdere AI-drevne dialogers effekt på spilleres opfattelser og peger på behovet for mere robuste fysiologiske målinger og større datasæt i fremtidige studier.
This thesis examines how AI-driven NPC chatbots influence empathy and engagement in narrative game experiences compared to traditional branching dialogue systems. Building on a review of relevant literature and state-of-the-art approaches, the authors created a narrative experience and conducted an A/B test with 19 participants, using an AI-based conversational NPC in the experimental version and predefined, multiple-choice dialogue in the control version. Empathy was assessed with a modified Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ), electromyography (EMG) was included as a supplementary check of emotional responses, and desire to continue the experience was measured as an indicator of engagement. The results showed no significant difference in empathy between groups, while EMG readings were insufficient for firm conclusions. However, there was a significant difference in the desire to continue, suggesting that AI NPCs may enhance the player experience in narrative contexts. The study contributes an experimental framework for evaluating AI-driven dialogue and highlights the need for more robust physiological measures and larger samples in future research.
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