Difference between revisions of "Interactivity"
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(i copied this 2 zoey and she told me 2 make these changes i think they r ok but she said 2 check w sum1 so can sum1 check pls) |
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| − | ''This article will explore interactivity as it applies to online web series and [ | + | ''This article will explore interactivity as it applies to online web series and [[Alternate Reality Game|ARGs]]. For a description of the broader use of the term interactivity see the Wikipedia article [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interactivity].'' |
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==Definition== | ==Definition== | ||
| Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
*1 : mutually or reciprocally active | *1 : mutually or reciprocally active | ||
*2 : of, relating to, or being a two-way electronic communication system (as a telephone, cable television, or a computer) that involves a user's orders (as for information or merchandise) or responses (as to a poll) | *2 : of, relating to, or being a two-way electronic communication system (as a telephone, cable television, or a computer) that involves a user's orders (as for information or merchandise) or responses (as to a poll) | ||
| − | - | + | - in•ter•ac•tive•ly adverb |
==Types of interactivity== | ==Types of interactivity== | ||
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There are 3 basic levels of interactivity that can take place in any web series/ARG: | There are 3 basic levels of interactivity that can take place in any web series/ARG: | ||
| − | 1. Interaction between viewers/players and the story itself. An example of this would be the fan decision | + | 1. Interaction between viewers/players and the story itself. An example of this would be the [[GoodGollyItsHolly|fan]] [[Your Decision|decision]] as to whether or not [[Bree]]/[[Daniel]] should go to [[Jonas's house]]. |
Within this category there are three basic levels of interactivity: | Within this category there are three basic levels of interactivity: | ||
| − | a) The outcome of the interactivity is essentially pre-determined and the goal is to create the illusion of participation. This is commonly called "on rails"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_rails]. | + | :a) The outcome of the interactivity is essentially pre-determined and the goal is to create the illusion of participation. This is commonly called "on rails" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_rails] or "interfaketivity". |
| − | b) There are "multiple paths built" into the story/ARG and the outcome is genuinely dependent on the views/players participation. This is the typical design used in DVD games and ARGs. | + | :b) There are "multiple paths built" into the story/ARG and the outcome is genuinely dependent on the views/players participation. This is the typical design used in DVD games and ARGs. |
| − | c) The interactivity is "dynamic". The story may have been laid out with multiple paths similar to (b) but there is a capacity to take it in an entirely new and unexpected direction as needed. | + | :c) The interactivity is "dynamic". The story may have been laid out with multiple paths similar to (b) but there is a capacity to take it in an entirely new and unexpected direction as needed. |
| − | 2. Interaction between viewers/players and the characters that does not have any significant impact on the story. An example of this would be the "battle rap" series of videos surrounding the [[Maddison Atkins]] story. | + | 2. Interaction between viewers/players and the characters that does not have any significant impact on the story. An example of this would be the "battle rap" series of videos surrounding the [[Maddison Avenue|Maddison Atkins]] story. |
| − | 3. Interactions between the viewers/players that | + | 3. Interactions between the viewers/players that have a tangential relationship to the web series/ARG but do not specifically affect the story or characters. An example of this would be the creation of the concept of Lonelypirates15 by fans on Lonelygirl15 comments. |
==Interactive Tools== | ==Interactive Tools== | ||
===Live chat=== | ===Live chat=== | ||
| − | A number of chat platforms have been used for live chat. These include Userplane, IRC, NowLive and a custom software chat implemented by LG15. The main problem with live chat is one of scalability. IRC chat proved extremely effective in Chapter 1 of | + | A number of chat platforms have been used for live chat. These include Userplane, [[IRC]], NowLive and a custom software chat implemented by LG15. The main problem with live chat is one of scalability. IRC chat proved extremely effective in Chapter 1 of Maddison Atkins. The small number of players allowed for an intimate atmosphere and very personal one-on-one interaction. In a recent LG15 chat on IRC the larger number of participants who were not so familiar with IRC protocol led to the non character participants being "devoiced" and this would appear to contradict the idea of interactivity. In essence the chat was reduced to an evolution of the narrative by a discussion between the characters. |
===Comments=== | ===Comments=== | ||
| − | The topic of whether or not "comments" can be used for live chat or not has been hotly debated on LG15. The controversy stem stems from the fact that some of the discussion on comments is "out of game". Some feel that such "out of game" comments prohibit the use of comments for character interaction while others feel it would be pretty easy to distinguish between character interaction from other comments as is normally done in IRC chat. | + | The topic of whether or not "[[comment board|comments]]" can be used for live chat or not has been hotly debated on LG15. The controversy stem stems from the fact that some of the discussion on comments is "out of game". Some feel that such "out of game" comments prohibit the use of comments for character interaction while others feel it would be pretty easy to distinguish between character interaction from other comments as is normally done in IRC chat. |
| − | === | + | ===Forums=== |
| − | In an attempt to separate in character discussions from other | + | In an attempt to separate in character discussions from other discussion LG15 has set up a special area [http://www.lonelygirl15.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=131&sid=04779f079b3bf5f542ba0bb7cfeed881] within their [[forum]]s. |
===Social Networking sites=== | ===Social Networking sites=== | ||
| − | Bebo and MySpace have both been used for in character interactions. In the case of KateModern, all of the in character interactions that have not involved live events have taken place on Bebo. Each character is treated as a "real person" and has their | + | [[Bebo]] and [[MySpace]] have both been used for in-character interactions. In the case of [[KateModern]], all of the in-character interactions that have not involved live events have taken place on Bebo. Each character is treated as a "real person" and has their own Bebo identity which allows them to interact with other Bebo users. |
===ARGs=== | ===ARGs=== | ||
| Line 47: | Line 47: | ||
===Live Event=== | ===Live Event=== | ||
Lonelygirl15 | Lonelygirl15 | ||
| − | * | + | *[[:Category:Tachyon drops|OpAphid drops]] |
| − | *Hymn of One Seminar | + | *[[It's A Cult|Hymn of One Seminar]] |
| − | *San Francisco Event | + | *[[San Francisco Live Event|San Francisco Event]] |
KateModern | KateModern | ||
| − | *Carnaby Street | + | *[[KateModern puzzles#Carnaby Street|Carnaby Street]] |
| − | *The Gnome Events | + | *[[KateModern puzzles#Lee's Treasure Hunt|The Gnome Events]] |
| − | * | + | *[[Kate's Memorial Service]] |
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Meta-discussion]] | ||
Revision as of 02:41, 9 March 2008
This article will explore interactivity as it applies to online web series and ARGs. For a description of the broader use of the term interactivity see the Wikipedia article [1].
Contents
Definition
According to the dictionary interactive is defined as:
- 1 : mutually or reciprocally active
- 2 : of, relating to, or being a two-way electronic communication system (as a telephone, cable television, or a computer) that involves a user's orders (as for information or merchandise) or responses (as to a poll)
- in•ter•ac•tive•ly adverb
Types of interactivity
There are 3 basic levels of interactivity that can take place in any web series/ARG:
1. Interaction between viewers/players and the story itself. An example of this would be the fan decision as to whether or not Bree/Daniel should go to Jonas's house.
Within this category there are three basic levels of interactivity:
- a) The outcome of the interactivity is essentially pre-determined and the goal is to create the illusion of participation. This is commonly called "on rails" [2] or "interfaketivity".
- b) There are "multiple paths built" into the story/ARG and the outcome is genuinely dependent on the views/players participation. This is the typical design used in DVD games and ARGs.
- c) The interactivity is "dynamic". The story may have been laid out with multiple paths similar to (b) but there is a capacity to take it in an entirely new and unexpected direction as needed.
2. Interaction between viewers/players and the characters that does not have any significant impact on the story. An example of this would be the "battle rap" series of videos surrounding the Maddison Atkins story.
3. Interactions between the viewers/players that have a tangential relationship to the web series/ARG but do not specifically affect the story or characters. An example of this would be the creation of the concept of Lonelypirates15 by fans on Lonelygirl15 comments.
Interactive Tools
Live chat
A number of chat platforms have been used for live chat. These include Userplane, IRC, NowLive and a custom software chat implemented by LG15. The main problem with live chat is one of scalability. IRC chat proved extremely effective in Chapter 1 of Maddison Atkins. The small number of players allowed for an intimate atmosphere and very personal one-on-one interaction. In a recent LG15 chat on IRC the larger number of participants who were not so familiar with IRC protocol led to the non character participants being "devoiced" and this would appear to contradict the idea of interactivity. In essence the chat was reduced to an evolution of the narrative by a discussion between the characters.
Comments
The topic of whether or not "comments" can be used for live chat or not has been hotly debated on LG15. The controversy stem stems from the fact that some of the discussion on comments is "out of game". Some feel that such "out of game" comments prohibit the use of comments for character interaction while others feel it would be pretty easy to distinguish between character interaction from other comments as is normally done in IRC chat.
Forums
In an attempt to separate in character discussions from other discussion LG15 has set up a special area [3] within their forums.
Social Networking sites
Bebo and MySpace have both been used for in-character interactions. In the case of KateModern, all of the in-character interactions that have not involved live events have taken place on Bebo. Each character is treated as a "real person" and has their own Bebo identity which allows them to interact with other Bebo users.
ARGs
ARGs typically involve a high degree of cooperative action on the part of the players of the ARG. By working together to solve complex "drops" ARGs typically lead to a high degree of social bonding between players. The role of characters in solving puzzles varies greatly between ARGs and it can often be controversial because some players would prefer to solve the "drop" without assistance from the puppet master via in character interaction.
Puzzles
Puzzles have a similarity to ARGs in that they sometimes involve a level of interactivity in order to solve them. However, because they are often more easy to solve they tend to lead to less social bonding.
Live Event
Lonelygirl15
KateModern
