Narrative in HCI: Interactions, Play, Games, Stories, Fictions and Envisioning Futures Using Activity Theory

Abstract

In this short position paper, we outline some of the findings following research on A. N. Leontiev's (1981) original activity theory including powerful and largely sidelined concepts, and propose extensions to bridge conceptual gaps. In particular, this work has focused on framing of activity through lenses and spheres, and on the relationship between object(ive) and motive and how they coincide or merge [1]. These provide fresh perspectives to reason about and inform design of today's rapidly evolving human technologically-mediated interactions and gameplay for experience and to provide a framework for writing, design fiction and inspiration for envisioning of future interactions and technologies. To illuminate this approach we have been focusing on the creation, modelling and shaping of narratives, scenarios, stories - in-game or interactions with and between applications and multiple platforms / transmedia.