Emotions are the basis for human behavior. They reflect our ambitions, hopes, fears and traumas. At times they warm our hearts, and at others can make us cold and cruel. For all ages and all cultures throughout the world, interactive entertainment is playing an increasing part in the way that we entertain ourselves, learn about our world, as well as transmit and consume stories.

I'd like to spend a bit of time exploring how emotions work inside an interactive environment. How can the social and cultural context which is the basis for many of our emotional responses work inside a world where the user is constantly making decisions? How can we build a truly emotional story when the action happening is dependent on users actions?

Can interactive media deliver experiences which not only entertain and make us laugh (as they do mostly) but also engage us with the more deep and personal emotions we feel?

I don't have answers but hope to find them through this workshop, both by speaking, showing examples of interesting work, and asking the audience for their thoughts and ideas.