ScriptEase: generative design patterns for computer role-playing games

Recently, some researchers have argued that generative design patterns (GDPs) can leverage the obvious design re-use that characterizes traditional design patterns into code re-use. This work provides additional evidence that GDPs are both useful and productive. Specifically, the current state-of-the-art in the domain of computer games is to script individual game objects to provide the desired interactions for each game adventure. We use BioWare Corp.´s popular Neverwinter Nights computer role-playing game to show how GDPs can be used to generate game scripts. This is a particularly good domain for GDPs, since game designers often have little or no programming skills. We demonstrate our approach using a new GDP tool called ScriptEase.