A Graphical Tool for the Creation of Behaviors in Virtual Worlds

Abstract

Typically, the creation of AI-based behaviors for Non-Playing Characters (NPC) in computer games is carried out by people with specialized skills in the broad areas of design and programming. This book chapter presents Second Mind (SM), a digital solution that makes it possible for novice users to successfully author behaviors. In SM, authors can use a graphical interface to define the behaviors of virtual characters in response to interactions with players. Authors can easily endow NPCs with behavior capabilities that make them act in different possible roles such as e.g. shopkeepers, museum hosts, etc. A series of user tests with human subjects to evaluate the behavior authoring process shows that Second Mind is easy to understand and simplifies the process of behavior production.