Interactive media are becoming increasingly widespread in culture and society. The medium’s interactivity gives computer and video-game developers fascinating opportunities to create entirely new narrative structures: in interactive storytelling, the actual plot emerges through the interplay between a predefined storyline and individual player behaviour.
An interactive story must therefore be both precise and open if it is to work at all. Criticism that computer or video games sometimes lack literary and narrative quality is certainly due in part to a lack of awareness of the enormous complexity of interactive storytelling.
Through their high-profile expert workshop, gamearea and Frankfurt Economic Development provide an insight into the complex world of this narrative form. The event examines the particular requirements of games and highlights both connections between linear and interactive narrative structures and their fundamental differences.
Joscha Sauer is one of Germany’s most successful cartoonists. He is currently developing television and game adaptations of his NICHTLUSTIG series, whose latest volume Carlsen Verlag is presenting at this year’s book fair. Jan Wagner, managing director of Cliffhanger Productions, has worked in the games industry for more than 15 years and has broad experience in producing, game design, product management, PR and community management.
Will Weber, one of the earliest founders of a computer-game company, has worked in computer games since 1983. For four years, he has taught game design at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, drawing on the background knowledge he acquired through international game projects. Professor Tilman Kohlhaase teaches animation at the Konrad Wolf Film and Television University in Potsdam and holds a professorship in animation and game production in the Media department at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences.
Moderator: Max Bimboese. A trained advertising executive and graduate in communications, Bimboese has worked and continues to work for national and international branded-goods companies and specialises in brand and product PR.
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