Hmm. I like the idea of a couple of these projects...namely the platform for building up game agents. However, I have issues with the other projects...which perhaps has something to do with the rather bleak descriptions. the catharsis project in particular seems to be trying to impose cinema onto interactivity, rather than trying to reconcile the two, which is really what I think we're trying to do here: "

"By using techniques adapted from screenwriting, a dramatic story line can be designed that evokes pity and fear in the gamer and leads to a purging of emotions."

True, but at the same time, you need to work within interactive structures to make this happen. The cool thing that we're exploring here, I think, is that interactivity gives you new tools to plant [important] catharsis/emotion into entertainment. I think, in fact, that most games right now achieve what this project is looking for: there is a traditional catharsis, but it falls short because it's just a watered down version of static (using this term w/ grain of salt) mediums like film and literature. However, what is really exciting is using interactivity to extend the lessons learned from these other media and create something that is not quite new, not quite old, but engaging in a different way.

I like the phrase "Drama Management." Google turned up 187 hits, many of them interesting and relevant.