Computational dramatic social dynamics

Continuing the topic from yesterday, I wonder whether some numeric sequences of character groupings produce more effective dramatic situations than others.

If so, then we could imagine generating effective plot outlines by synthesizing classes of sequences that are known to work better.

We all already work from such principles on a basic level. After all, the classic scenario “Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl” can be represented by the sequence 323 (that is, 11 → 10 → 11). We just don’t usually describe it that way.

It would be interesting to look at, say, the plays of Shakespeare in such terms, and see whether there are patterns that could be analyzed.

And therefore possibly synthesized.

One thought on “Computational dramatic social dynamics”

  1. It isn’t so much about analysis as it is about computer-assisted synthesis, but this discussion made me immediately think of Daniel Benmergui’s “Storyteller”: http://www.ludomancy.com/storyteller.php

    He gave a very amusing presentation at the Experimental Gameplay Sessions at GDC this year, I wonder if you saw it.

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