OK, I’m still on Jamie Kane’s case, the chatbot is still down, as is one of the sites, related to the game. This is a bit of a poor show by the BBC, methinks. Take the game down if it’s broken, people! How can this be a succeful ARG if the G is unplayable and the AR is shattered, I ask you.
However, in memory of the genius that once was JK, I am posting the first conversation I had with ‘Jessica’ here for old times sake (September 2006).
JESSICA> Hi Sharna, how’s it going?
SHARNA> alright, you?
JESSICA> Still a bit down about Jamie, to be honest. It’s always nice to have newbies though, *smiles*. So what’s up? Do you go to school or are you working or what?
SHARNA> at work. i was a massive jamie fan
JESSICA> Oh so you’re a wageslave like me *grumble*. I work in HMV. What exactly do you do?
SHARNA> make games like this
JESSICA> 
JESSICA> So anyway That sounds kinda interesting (I think!) Do you enjoy it?
SHARNA> its shit
JESSICA> I don’t really like my job either. Thought it would be my stepping stone into the music biz, but I don’t think it’s gonna work out like that. So anyways where do you live?
SHARNA> london, you?
JESSICA> Oh London. So you’re from the Capital. I’d love to move to London! Whereabouts in London do you live?
SHARNA> SW
JESSICA> I’m a big fan of Radio 1 – and I’d love to be the next Jo Whiley.
JESSICA> I was saying … Oh, right. I live in Reading with my mate Della – we’ve got a goldfish called Lana. Do you live with anyone?
SHARNA> my husband
JESSICA> It must be great living with your partner. I was always driving my parentals mad by playing loud music – especially Jamie 
You into anyone else apart from Jamie K?
SHARNA> indie, interpol, pulp
JESSICA> Yeah, they’re from USA, aren’t they? What’s your fave Interpol song then?
SHARNA> take you on a cruise
JESSICA> Oh right. Evil is my personal fave. Have you seen them live?
SHARNA> are you real?
JESSICA> …
JESSICA> anyhoo… OK. What do you like best about interpol?
SHARNA> they’re just really good, dark lyrics
JESSICA> Yeah, but not as rockin as Jamie *predictable*
JESSICA> …Talking of the Jamester, did you watch that Jamie documentary with your partner last night ?
SHARNA> no, i missed it. what happened?
JESSICA> Shame 
It was v sad Normally I hate documentaries but they did a really good job on it. What sort of teevee shows you into?SHARNA> comedy
JESSICA> Yer there’s a lot of good comedies on at the mo. I wish they’d show more films though – what type of films you into? I love weepie romances.
SHARNA> i like thrillers
JESSICA> Hmmm, not into thrillers that much. But I guess they can be pretty exciting. So what is your fave film of all time? Mine is Almost Famous.
SHARNA> mine is Labryinth
JESSICA> I’m not normally into those fantasy type films, but I do like David Bowie! Must get it out on deeveedee. You don’t know who directed it do you?
SHARNA> I don’t, no
JESSICA> Cool. Look, it’s been great to chat but I’ve got to go. My bro is on the phone from Thailand!?! See ya tomorrow:-)
SHARNA> bye, nice to meet you
JESSICA> Byeee *waves*
I love the Interpol and Labyrinth references too much. I’m assuming the chatbot pulls the facts from a database like IMDB or the iTunes store. Also, its interesting to point out questions the ‘bot avoids – e.g. Are you real? I think this works – I know from IMing that you have different threads of conversations going at once and it is not rare to simply ignore one and talk about another. I think its pretty good. Only thing I could say against it is that when the character is typing, the user is unable to type. The input box becomes inactive. Not strictly ‘real’, but I can see how it is necessary to the management of the game.
Creative Virtual are responible for the lingbot. Click jamiekanechatbot.pdf for a Creative Virtual case study on Jamie Kane.
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