Things are more difficult when have one human agent and you want the machine to create the rest.
Branching - the number of possible stories/outcomes increases exponentially if, as in the real world, the user can make choices at any time about virtually anything. There are solutions that cheat. Dan refers to an interactive movie - the audience were given buttons and at different points were presented with a choice. The next scene followed the majority vote. Behind the scenes were two projectors -every choice point looped back to the same story and next choice point.
Precision - interface between fuzzy humans and precise computers is full of frustration.
Control and choice - much of the power of narrative is in building climaxes, slowly revealing information etc. if the user is in control, this is lost. Intrinsic to many narrative/fictional cinematic forms is the throwing of the protagonist into an unfamilar situation. Control is wrested away - choices are severely limited. The resolution occurs as the protagonist regains a measure of control and learns to defend his or her self.
Laurel comments:
"A system in which people are encouraged to do whatever they want
will probably not produce pleasant experiences." 4