Purpose: Visual novels, narrative-driven games focused on character interaction, commonly employ point-based evaluation systems that struggle to represent the inherent complexity and uncertainty of player choices. This research introduces a novel approach: integrating fuzzy logic into visual novel evaluation systems using Unity 3D. Fuzzy logic addresses the limitations of point-based systems by accounting for the "fuzzy" nature of player choice and its varied impact on story progression and character relationships.
Methods/Study design/approach: A visual novel game was developed in Unity 3D, incorporating a fuzzy logic evaluation system for scoring player choices and assessing route progress. Fuzzy sets and membership functions were defined for key aspects like emotional response, character alignment, and plot development. These aspects were dynamically evaluated based on player dialogue selection, and individual scores were aggregated to generate a final route evaluation.
Result/Findings: Testing demonstrated seamless integration of the fuzzy logic system within the game engine. Evaluation of conversation choices and route progression yielded accurate and nuanced scores, reflecting the varying weight of each decision based on narrative context and character interaction. Fuzzy logic facilitated the interpretation of "fuzzy" player choices, translating them into meaningful information for story progression and character relationships.
Novelty/Originality/Value: This research presents a novel and promising approach to visual novel evaluation by leveraging the strengths of fuzzy logic. It overcomes the limitations of traditional point-based systems, capturing the complexity and dynamism of player choices within the narrative. The dynamic and responsive evaluation results enhance player engagement and provide a more immersive gaming experience.