Exploring Non-verbal Behavior Models for Believable Characters

Abstract

Abstract. Believable characters constitute an important component of interactive stories. It is, therefore, not surprising to see much research focusing on developing algorithms that enhance character believability within interactive experiences, such as games, interactive narrative, and training environments. These efforts target a variety of problems, including portraying and synchronizing gestures with speech, developing animation tools that allow artists to manipulate and blend motions, or embed emotions within virtual character models. There has been very little research, however, devoted to the study of non-verbal behaviors, specifically mannerisms, patterns of movement including postures, gaze, and timing, and how they vary as a function of character attributes. This paper presents a work in progress of a study conducted to (1) identify key character characteristics recognized by animators using an acting model, and (2) formalize non-verbal behaviors patterns that animators use to express these character characteristics.

The Influence of Intelligent Characters on Users' Navigation Through a Three-Dimensional Virtual Environment

“…According to El-Nasr & Wei (2008), believable characters play an important role in games and training simulations. This is also important in the context of treating patients with diverse types of neuropsychiatric disorders through virtual environments (Costa & Carvalho, 2004).…”

An Eye Gaze Model for Controlling the Display of Social Status in Believable Virtual Humans

“…The scene for this study is set in an office environment with a corporate officer who fires an employee with a criminal record. We chose to use this scenario because it has been successfully used to evaluate the NVB of characters [36], [42], and it explores a situation with dramatic behaviour where social status plays a meaningful role. It provides a simple scene that constrains a number of factors including the length of the exchange, the number of actions that occur, and the personality traits and emotions on display.…”

“…Another important investigation into the development of a formalized model of NVB for portraying character attributes is [36]. They found that animators can meaningfully and reliably respond to prompts to produce character animation based on Keith Johnstone's system of Fast-Food Stanislavski.…”