NWN Infinite Dungeons: A New Start in Dynamic Content?

Dynamic narrative expression was something that I tried to tackle a wee bit by developing The Fiction Magician back in the early 1990s. That project ran from 1994 – 2000, and it was very successful in the since that I sold hundreds of copies and enjoyed myself in the process by virtue of interaction with so many very nice writers who used the tool.

Today, you find generators for anything from Hobbit Names to fantasy places to tavern names. My favorite software for doing this is Inspiration Pad Pro from www.nbos.com. Basically, it takes a series of word tables and allows you to use their base database in addition to extending the database. Very similar features to the Fiction Magician. However, these tools only aid writers, and they do not actually generate narrative or game play.

Neverwinter Nights producer Bioware introduced Infinite Dungeons Premium Module recently (well recent by my recollection in any case). Basically, the name says it all.

I just started play testing it, and you can take any level character through the process and it will auto adjust the dungeon. It adds puzzles and dynamic monster generation, but it is a largely hack and slash experience:

The narrative really stops at the point in which you finish the opening conversation with Little Timmy the Waterdeep Orphan boy who explains the context for the dungeon adventure. Him and his friends were playing in a warehouse and found this entry point. He sets the stage, but once you pass through the door.

Now if you believe that random monsters and random dungeon layouts is dynamic narrative, then we can agree that Infinite Dungeons does provide dynamic narrative. I think one could argue that the dynamic narrative element is the fact that you are telling the story of your unique hero in a unique series of battles with critters in the randomized dungeon. The way you move through the dungeon and the style of play does permit you to reflect about the story you just created from that session. The same thing could be done through the AD&D Dungeon Master’s guide random dungeon generator tables by rolling d20.

It still comes up short as to what I think is the most important goal to make games and stories replayable. We have to stitch the mechanical aspects of technology that powers Infinite Dungeons with the creative story elements of these generator tools. Both sets of technology have advanced to the point where a unique mix might be around the corner. When that mixture comes to light, we will see dynamic narrative unfold in the context of fantasy or other games that will make each experience unique and much deeper than just plain hack and slash.

NOTE: I do recommend that you purchase this premium module, as it does provide a quick relief vehicle if you need some gaming and don’t have the time or desire to grind your MMORPG or get detailed in a complex game. Pure fun without all of the complexity overhead that comes from learning new systems.

~ by xaviermorgan on September 2, 2006.