Conclusion

So, why did we create these digital stories?

1.CYBERFICTION

The invention of cyberspace has opened up a new frontier. In it we can communicate with friends, plays games, conduct research, shop, and design websites for others to see. And now, we find ourselves on the doorstep of a whole new medium for storytelling. This is the digital story.

Through it we can enter the worlds of characters to experience them from many points of view.

2. Opening up this world allows us to examine many things:

  • the private thoughts that motivate character's actions,
  • the causes and effects that connect the events of plot,
  • the ways in which change of setting
through manipulation of time and place

can allow us to slow down or speed up action,

  • focus in more carefully on a particular moment,
  • give feedback via e-mail from interactors to characters to allow new ideas to enter the digital story.
 
3. All of these techniques create a pipeline between the author and the interactive audience. And through this, both author and audience deepen their understanding of the world. This, in fact, is just what makes the novel so alive and meaningful. As our imagination takes flight, we journey through the details of plot, climb high mountains of suspense, tumble into valleys of conflicting emotional needs and finally come away knowing that we have gained a few valuable ideas about the way life is. In conclusion, we leave richer, wiser and more ready to become the heroes of our own life stories.  

 

LINKS: These links will show you examples of hyperfiction and some of the software tools available.

Fourth Season Episode Guide
Digital Storytelling Cookbook
Storyspace Software
Hypertext Fiction
Crime Scene
Freedom Baird's Mass Transit

 

 

 

 

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