Nonlinear Dialog Script Views for Legible Branch Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for specifying dialog and actions in non-linear interactive experiences, such as video games and intelligent assistants, are inefficient due to the large number of content permutations and limited screen real estate, making it difficult to display and manage dialog trees effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for generating and selectively displaying portions of scripts for nonlinear dialog using a user interface that simulates a linear-formatted script, allowing authors to create and modify dialog branches based on user input without explicitly specifying node types or topology, while maintaining a seamless creative flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a visual representation of a branching tree graph (dialog tree) is used to represent nonlinear dialog, then the overall structure and flow of the experience can be understood at a glance, but limited screen real estate prevents displaying the overall structure with content at a legible scale
Solution Approach 1:
The dialog tree is segmented into multiple viewable portions or frames. Each frame displays a manageable subset of nodes at a legible scale, while navigation controls allow authors to move between frames to review different portions of the complete dialog tree structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temporal navigation (forward/backward buttons) as a new dimension for accessing dialog tree content. This allows the complete dialog tree to be displayed across multiple time-based views, effectively solving the screen real estate limitation by distributing content across sequential frames rather than attempting to display everything simultaneously.
2Area of stationary object
If the dialog tree is segmented into smaller chunks to fit on standard paper, then the spatial challenge is resolved, but understanding the experience becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Navigation buttons provide feedback mechanisms that allow authors to move forward and backward through different frames of the dialog tree. This maintains contextual understanding by enabling easy return to previous views, ensuring that segmentation does not result in loss of overall comprehension.
3Ease of operation
If conventional linear script formatting is used for nonlinear dialog, then the script can be read sequentially, but it becomes difficult to manage the large number of content permutations
Solution Approach 1:
The nonlinear dialog script is segmented into discrete frames or views, each representing a specific portion of the dialog tree. This segmentation allows sequential reading within each frame while the navigation system manages the complexity of transitioning between different portions, effectively handling content permutations through structured organization.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for selectively displaying portions of a script for nonlinear dialog between a user participant and a non-user participant includes receiving a first portion of the script including text representing a first branch of the nonlinear dialog and associated with the non-user participant. The method includes receiving a second portion of the script associated with the user participant. The method includes receiving a third portion of the script associated with the non-user participant and including text responsive to text in the second portion. The method includes receiving an instruction to generate a second branch and receiving a fourth portion of the script associated with the user participant in the nonlinear dialog and including text responsive to text in the first portion. The method includes modifying the user interface to remove a display of the second and third portions and to display the text of the fourth portion.