The document discusses the future of virtual characters and their potential capabilities. It outlines 10 emerging technologies that could enable more advanced virtual characters, including facial expression tracking, speech recognition, natural language understanding, emotion sensing, and augmented reality. The author envisions that virtual companions of the future will have conversations with people, accompany them on adventures, be accessible everywhere through different platforms, have long-term relationships, adapt and change over time, provide teaching, and become an important part of people's social lives.

1. The Future of Virtual Characters Jesse Schell – AppCamp 2011

3. TSM Plug and Play

4. Pixie Hollow

7. Triazzle Slide here

8. Yale slide here

21. Tech #1: Facial Expression Tracking

23. Innovator’s Dilemma

25. Tech #2: Persistent Databases

29. Tech #3: Speech Recognition

30. The Prophecy of Chris Swain

31. ?

33. Tech #4: Natural Language Understanding Eliza: Please tell me what's been bothering you.you: I'm bored.Eliza: Do you enjoy being bored?you: No.Eliza: Does this make you feel unhappy?you: Yes.Eliza: Please go on.you: I want something to do.Eliza: Suppose you got something to do soon.you: That would be great!Eliza: Tell me more about that.you: I'm bored.Eliza: Is it because you are bored that you came to me?you: yes.Eliza: I see.

36. Tech #5: Emotion Sensing

38. Who will we talk to? Our avatars.

39. Who will we talk to? Our avatarsVirtual Companions.

40. Tech #6: Integrated Multiplatform Games

41. Tech #7: Interface to Everything Facebook Events GPS Health Data New Friends Emails Purchase info Game Data Work Status Etc., etc….

42. Tech #8: Cognitive Tutor

43. Betty’s Brain – Vanderbilt University “These kids know these characters aren’t alive, but they get engaged with the narrative, and play pretend, and it brings out a lot of good behaviors.”

45. Tech #9: Intelligent Actors

48. Tech #10: Augmented Reality

50. Virtual Companions will… Talk with us Lead us on amazing adventures Be everywhere Have long term relationships with us Change as we change Teach us Learn from us Be an important part of our social life

53. Thanks! Email: jesse@schellgames.comWeb: jesseschell.com Twitter: @jesseschell Slides: slideshare.net/jesseschell