Creative Agents and Triggers (CAT) Game Design Method: For Crisis Communication

Abstract

This paper introduces an early stage design method for online serious games. The examples are from a crisis communication project with role-playing public relations experts and journalists. The CAT method (Creative Agents and Triggers) aims for the elicitation of domain knowledge and vocabulary and to assist understanding of elementary logic and AI for games. It uses limited UML diagrams and trigger documents to bridge a divide between design and software engineering. Select CAT method techniques are outlined in this paper and have been successfully used in a series of participatory design workshops with professionals.