A framework for networked reactive characters

The paper presents a framework for distributed reactive characters on a computer network and proposes innovative concepts for shared state management. Firstly, behavioral accuracy is defined in terms of three types of state (physical, procedural and emotional). Secondly, visual soundness, a concept inversely proportional to behavioral accuracy, is associated with the autonomy of clones. Thirdly, the usual concept of dead reckoning is relaxed by exploring the idea of autonomy, which is the basis for networked reactive characters. The framework, built on top of an open architecture toolkit called Bamboo, can gracefully cope with reactive environments producing good levels of visual soundness, which results in smooth animations, and behavioral accuracy.