Dynamic Storytelling Environment: Design Review 1

My original intent for this project was to develop a DM screen for collaborative storytelling games. Unfortunately, my design was largely dependent on access to the ITLL’s laser cutter and wood shop. Fortunately, there is a secondary project that I have been working on throughout the semester that incorporates a significant dynamic element and that is the dynamic storytelling environment I have been setting up.

Collaborative storytelling games like Dungeons and Dragons or Shadowrun are extremely important to me. I’ve grown up playing them and I’ve watched the role-playing environment of these games give people who normally had heavy amount of social anxiety the ability to comfortably interact with friends and explore aspects of their personality in a space where they felt safe. Throughout the 9 years that I have been playing these games I have gotten quite good at setting scenes and telling stories as the “Dungeon Master” and I’ve wanted to augment the immersion of the game with ambient effects like music and lighting. For this reason I have been designing a dynamic environment around the table where I normally play and run these games.

The ultimate goal for this environment is to be able to seamlessly transition into new soundscapes and lighting schemes by using a single physical button or switch without having to interact with a computer interface. The use of computers usually distracts me from the immersion of the game and hurts the flow of the storytelling. So far, this is what I have designed.

 

~~LIGHTING~~

The first major component in this design is lighting. It needs to be able to run a gamut of colors and brightness in order to set a wide array of scenes for these games. It also needs to be bright enough on the surface of the gaming table for people to be able to read their character sheets. For this purpose I have a two-system solution. The first system is using three Philips Hue white and color bulbs.

[IMAGE OF HUE WHITE AND COLOR]

These bulbs have a practically infinite array of colors and connect to a Bluetooth hub that then connects into my houses local area network. The benefit of these bulbs, beyond their wide color rage, is that they have integration with many different platforms which will assist significantly with the final control system. The brightness of these lights is a slight challenge, however. Staring directly at the lights is far too bright but the lights are far too dark to light of the room with a lamp shade over them, and the lamp shades themselves look unsightly in the room that I plan on setting everything up. To solve this I have customized a few candle lanterns that were on a clearance sale at Pier One.

[IMAGE OF CUSTOM LANTERNS]

These lanterns were originally purchased with clear glass panels but I used a glass-fogging spray to fog the panel to disperse the light of the Philips Hue lights. With the addition of a small stand intended for mounting Edison bulbs a powerful dynamic lighting effect can be achieved.

[IMAGE/VIDEO OF ACTIVATED LANTERN]

I created three of these lanterns in total and placed them around the room. Unfortunately, even with these lanterns on full brightness the room is too dark to properly read character sheets during a game of D&D. So solve this, my second lighting system has to com in to play: Arduino controlled addressable LED light strips.

[IMAGE OF LED LIGHT-STRIP ROLL]

These strips are powered by 12-volts and are currently being controlled by a bluetooth controller that is controlled by a rather lack-luster phone application. The goal is to get these strips (I currently have two 5-meter rolls) connect to Arduino nanos that I will connect into my main control system for the room. Currently one of these light strips is connected around the rim of the gaming table that I am using to provide some extra light in the room and some cool under-lighting for the table. The other strip is not currently in use but I am intending to use it to cast some light on the top of the table to make it easier to read character sheets during a game of D&D.

[IMAGE/VIDEO OF TABLE UNDER-LIGHTING]

~~SOUND~~

The second component of this dynamic environment is the soundscape. Most of the music I have used in the past for these games has been curated into playlists on the application Spotify so it is extremely important that the final control system can interface with spottily properly. It is also important that the physical sound system is powerful enough to bathe the room in sound but also have enough control to quickly change between loud combat music and calm background music. I want to be able to have full control of music volume without having to open a computer. For this system I am currently using a SP2500 High-power 2.1 PC speaker system from Corsair.

[IMAGE OF CORSAIR SPEAKER SYSTEM]

The sound quality of these speakers is fantastic but the main benefit is that they come with a separate control panel that allows for a quick change of volume with a physical knob. This will allow me to have full control of the system’s audio from behind the DM screen without the need for any further software implementation.

[IMAGE OF AUDIO CONTROL PANEL]

~~CONTROLS~~

While I don’t want to have to use a computer interface while behind the DM screen, I do realize that what I want would be difficult to achieve without a computer. I plan on running all of the lighting and sound off of a computer mounted just under the main gaming table. The main concern is, what am I going to use to control all of this at once? After a lot of research I settled on an Elgato Stream Deck.

[IMAGE OF ELGATO STREAM DECK]

This device is essentially just a set of buttons with tiny screens in them that can be customized to do whatever you want. The software that runs the Stream Deck integrates smoothly with both Spotify and Philips Hue so that with the press of a single button I can change both the Hue lighting and the soundscape. The only issue that remains is integrating the Arduino-controlled LED strips into the control system.

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5 Comments. Leave new

  • Max Armstrong
    May 3, 2020 11:47 am

    I’ve never played DnD but the dedication that you have to making the game even more fun really makes me want to play. This is a super awesome setup that you are working on and I am impressed by the dedication. I’ve been wanting to get phillips Hue into my apartment for a while now and I think that you have inspired me to make the leap.

    In terms of the setup that you are putting together I think that this would be an awesome tech integration project. In terms of the control board that you are looking at, is there wifi or bluetooth compatibility built in? There is a good chance that you could find an arduino library that lets you use a bluetooth or wifi shield to send simple commands to the arduino.

    The aesthetic that you have created for your room is really well developed. The lanterns and the frosted look that you used are a great example of this. Nice job and I cannot wait to see how it all turns out.

    Reply
  • Benjamin Chang
    March 18, 2020 11:05 am

    Patrick,

    As someone who plays this game, I love the dedication and effort you are putting into making the game even more special, I love the consideration of making a more immersive environment. I very much like the idea of the lantern lighting and I think it brings a theme to the table. I also think that using pre qued music and background noise is really great, and a good way to keep player pacing.

    My only thoughts about this project for comments comes down to top spots. The first is making sure that the deck board your using doesn’t get too complicated where it would just be as functional as a computer, as you said laptops are distracting. But I do like the practicality of using the deck for numerous game functions. My second comment was considering introducing led lighting to highlight and engage individual players, I think if you found some lighting element that can emphasize a turn or character would help make the turn feel more special.

    Overall though Patrick, I think this is a really exciting and engaging project and if it comes out let me know so I can come play! heres my number if you need players: 3034084101

    Reply
  • Benjamin Robles
    March 18, 2020 10:50 am

    Presentation Comments:

    Statement of meaning: I have never played this game, but simply by listening to your project on how to immerse the player into the story, it makes me want to play. Good job on creating the setting!

    Ben R.

    Reply
  • Every time I read your posts I am blown away by what you’re trying to do. Seriously everything you’ve talked about sounds so freaking cool, and I wish you could make all of them a reality because that would be hands down the best game of DnD ever!
    I love the use of the lanterns as a lighting source. Not only does it help hide the “modern” technology of having color changing bulbs, but it also adds to the overall feel of the room. Even if it’s just ambience and not “practical” lighting used to be able to read character sheets and stuff, its still a really awesome addition.
    As for the Elgato Stream Deck, how complicated will it be to integrate everything with this? Do you see any large hurdles that will need to be overcome in order to create a smoothly transitioning final product?

    Reply
  • Noah Verspohl
    March 15, 2020 9:25 pm

    Patrick,

    Your project is very interesting. As someone that has never played Dungeons and Dragons I was surprised at how much additional sound and lighting effects go into the game. I like how your project is going to enhance your experience and I am sure that your party is going to love it too!
    In your report you stated that you are going to use Arduinos to control the LED strips; are the color-changing bulbs also able to connect to these via Bluetooth? If not how are you planning to sync the lights to the same color? Additionally, is the ELGATO STREAM DECK going to be hooked to the arduinos?

    Reply

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