Handbook of Multimedia for Digital Entertainment and Arts- P23: The advances in computer entertainment, multi-player and online games, technology-enabled art, culture and performance have created a new form of entertainment and art, which attracts and absorbs their participants. The fantastic success of this new field has influenced the development of the new digital entertainment industry and related products and services, which has impacted every aspect of our lives. | 664 D. Milam et al. Table 2 Themes associated with the System Constraints lens freedom goals and control in interactive narrative Phase I Themes Phase II Themes Phase IV Themes Clear Goals Feeling Lost System Design Outcomes Character Attributes and Selective Perspective Being Influenced Temporal Effects Clear Goals Variable Outcomes or Too Many Outcomes Freedom and Control System Mechanics NL Text Interaction Model Variability Boundary System Mechanics Technical language confusing or unclear Clear Goals narrative vs. Puzzle Unsure of Control narrative vs. Puzzle Loss of Control - No Ownership Participant Representation Freedom Goals and Control ID-10 ID-09 id-11 ID-08 ID-07 10 ID-01 18 ID-05 ID-02 13 ID-04 ID-03 14 11 Fig. 5 The System Constraints lens is comprised of 125 statements centred upon freedom goals and control ID-06 even though the reference changed from games the participant enjoyed to Façade s description to their own post play interpretations. The rest of the themes are informed by rules that define boundaries for play the extents players are in control and how these facilitate the sense of freedom. 30 A Study of Interactive Narrative from User s Perspective 665 Phase I Initial Conceptions of IN Pertaining to System Constrains Lens Participants have all played different kinds of computer games refer to table 1 and thus their responses to our questions about interactive narratives drew upon the games they played and enjoyed. During the first phase three clear themes emerged from their interviews that relate to lens 1. These themes support the player sense of freedom by incorporating variability and meaningful choices to shape the story. Furthermore players understand their purpose in participating and retain a sense of control even as their goals are influenced. Freedom and variable outcomes allowed by system design were noted as important factors of interactive narrative by seven .
