Exploring Virtual Branching Stories for VR Headset Gaming Using Unity Assets and C# Scripts

School Name

Governor's School for Science & Mathematics

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Computer Science

Presentation Type

Mentored

Mentor

Mentor: William Bares, College of Charleston

Oral Presentation Award

4th Place

Written Paper Award

2nd Place

Abstract

Interactive narrative experiences within virtual reality allow players to make choices that control how the plot unfolds. Players have the freedom to truly embrace and walk around a virtual 3D world. These interactive experiences have become a hot topic in today’s society. People enjoy this technology, but many gamers have brutally critiqued the flatness of these games. In games such as Job Simulator, there is no power in the hands of the player; the user may get the sense that they are being tugged along the game’s predefined plot line. Among the gamer community, there is an overall desire for a game that will let the player control the story. Because of this, many questions are raised. This summer, the College of Charleston Department of Computer Science under the direction of Dr. William Bares created a narrative-driven game, set in a virtual realm. The objective of this project was to create a game where the player is allowed to control their own gaming experience and will want to play it again. This game is meant to incorporate meaningful dialog decisions and 3D interactions through the use of Unity dialogue trees. Due to the game’s branching decision structure, there are several ways to reach a multitude of endings.

Location

Wall 119

Start Date

3-25-2017 9:00 AM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 25th, 9:00 AM

Exploring Virtual Branching Stories for VR Headset Gaming Using Unity Assets and C# Scripts

Wall 119

Interactive narrative experiences within virtual reality allow players to make choices that control how the plot unfolds. Players have the freedom to truly embrace and walk around a virtual 3D world. These interactive experiences have become a hot topic in today’s society. People enjoy this technology, but many gamers have brutally critiqued the flatness of these games. In games such as Job Simulator, there is no power in the hands of the player; the user may get the sense that they are being tugged along the game’s predefined plot line. Among the gamer community, there is an overall desire for a game that will let the player control the story. Because of this, many questions are raised. This summer, the College of Charleston Department of Computer Science under the direction of Dr. William Bares created a narrative-driven game, set in a virtual realm. The objective of this project was to create a game where the player is allowed to control their own gaming experience and will want to play it again. This game is meant to incorporate meaningful dialog decisions and 3D interactions through the use of Unity dialogue trees. Due to the game’s branching decision structure, there are several ways to reach a multitude of endings.