Badis as Theatre
-putting the drama perspective to the test

In this paper, an application designed for use as a pedagogical resource in a distance education course is evaluated following the framework of dramatic theory for design of human-computer experiences, which is developed by Brenda Laurel based on Aristotelian aesthetics and includes concepts such as direct engagement, first-personness, mimesis and catharsis. This framework is then critically studied regarding, among other things, the choice between linearity and interaction, and problem connected to free interaction. Finally a proposal for a reformulation of Laurel's model is presented that tries to paint a richer picture, based partly on styles of interaction found in three different computer game archetypes, and connect them to different criteria for design. The paper emphasises that we should design for experience and that the human-computer interaction community would benefit from taking influences from other areas, such as theatre, film and computer games, where there exists advanced knowledge in this area.