Dungeons, Neurons, and Dialogues: Social Interaction Dynamics in Contextual Games

About The Workshop

The second edition of the "Dungeons, Neurons, and Dialogues: Social Interaction Dynamics in Contextual Games" (DnD-SIDC) workshop aims to explore the forefront of embodied and meaningful interaction with virtual agents, in the light of computational, psychological, and robotics solutions. The focus of this workshop is to discuss such topics within context-based game interactions to simulate and analyze complex social interaction dynamics. This edition of the workshop builds on previous editions by introducing such topics to the HRI (Human-Robot Interaction) community, tunneling the discussions of the relevance of contextual games as a main interaction medium towards the role of embodied agents. Contextual games like role-playing games (RPGs) offer rich, narrative-driven environments that are ideal for studying and modeling social constructs such as empathy, rivalry, trust, engagement, and competitiveness. These games require players to navigate complex emotional landscapes, make strategic decisions based on social cues, and engage in deep narrative experiences, all within a structured but highly flexible environment. By adding intelligent agents and robots into these scenarios, researchers can investigate how these systems can understand and replicate human social behaviors, adapt to emotional contexts, and contribute to shared experiences in meaningful ways. The intersection of HRI and social interaction modeling is ripe for exploration. Advances in Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, and Robotics have provided the necessary tools to create sophisticated interaction scenarios. Furthermore, the global increase in online gaming, especially during the recent pandemic, has highlighted the potential of digital platforms as laboratories for studying Human-Robot Interaction. The second edition of the DnD-SIDC workshop will explore these aspects to initiate and encourage discussions on the boundaries of what's possible in the realm of social computing and games. The DnD-SIDC workshop aligns seamlessly with the HRI 2025 conference theme of “Robots for a Sustainable World” by exploring how embodied agents can foster meaningful social interactions in complex environments, ultimately contributing to sustainable social dynamics in virtual spaces. By leveraging advancements in machine learning, natural language processing, and robotics within the rich narrative frameworks of contextual games, this workshop will address how intelligent agents can promote empathy, cooperation, and engagement among players, thereby enhancing social cohesion in both virtual and real-world contexts. As digital platforms become increasingly vital for social interaction, especially in a post-pandemic world, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to investigate and promote sustainable interaction practices through innovative game mechanics. Hosting this workshop at HRI 2025 will not only enrich the dialogue on the role of robots in fostering social sustainability but also encourage interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers dedicated to harnessing technology for positive societal impact.

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