Rummaging in the geek culture toolbox

Abstract

This workshop explored alternative approaches and tools for the creation of interactive digital stories. These tools were derived from elements of geek culture. Geek Culture [1] is an umbrella term for the subculture of fans of cultural artefacts and activities traditionally considered to be geeky such as role-playing games, sciencefiction, computers and comic books. In this workshop, we were specifically examining pen & paper role-playing games and comic books. It included an introduction to those elements of geek culture we wished to examine, participatory exercises that employed those elements, and post-exercise discussion. The workshop was designed to make the participants aware of tools that may be borrowed from other similar media for use in interactive digital storytelling. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.