Quantifying the Subjective - The Digital Character Believability Comparator Framework for NPC Evaluation

This chapter delves into the concept of believability in non-player characters (NPCs) within modern story-driven games, focusing on the Dragon Age series. The study introduces the Digital Character Believability Comparator (DCBC) framework, a modular analytical tool designed to quantify the subjective perception of NPC believability. The framework combines qualitative analysis with quantifiable data, ensuring robust and reliable results. Through an in-depth case study of NPCs in Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age: Inquisition, the researchers explore how goal alignment, consistency, emotional depth, reactivity, agency, and social role contribute to the perceived believability of NPCs. The study highlights the importance of these factors in creating immersive and engaging game worlds. The DCBC framework is presented as a valuable tool for future research and industry practices, offering a structured approach to assessing and developing more compelling virtual characters. The findings suggest that the believability of NPCs is derived from the depth and authenticity of their role within the social and narrative structure of the game, with consistency and emotional expression playing significant roles. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for a multifaceted approach to NPC design, ensuring that characters behave in ways that are expected by their personality and role within the game world.