University of Portsmouth - Chinese puzzle proves compelling

A deserted island, a lost man, memories of a fatal crash and a book written by a dying explorer are the premise behind an award-winning computer game designed by Dan Pinchbeck, senior lecturer in computer games and interactive media at the University of Portsmouth. In the game, Dear Esther, fragments of story are randomly triggered by players moving around the game, making every experience unique. The game is one of three to emerge from the Chinese Room (www.thechineseroom.co.uk), a research project set up at Portsmouth with an Arts and Humanities Research Grant.