Meet Daiyu in The Era of GenAI: Using LLMs to Remediate Classics into Interactive Digital Narratives

Yuxuan Huang; Kexin Xiang; Gauransh Sharma; Reshad Rabbi; Ran Ju; Jussi Pekka Holopainen

doi:10.1007/978-3-032-12405-0_3

Meet Daiyu in The Era of GenAI: Using LLMs to Remediate Classics into Interactive Digital Narratives

Yuxuan Huang
, Kexin Xiang
, Gauransh Sharma
, Reshad Rabbi
, Ran Ju
, Jussi Pekka Holopainen^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

School of Creative Media

Research output: Chapters, Conference Papers, Creative and Literary Works › RGC 32 - Refereed conference paper (with host publication) › peer-review

Abstract

In this paper, we explore the integration of large language models (LLMs) in interactive digital narratives (IDNs) in the context of remediating the classic Chinese novel, Hong Lou Meng (HLM). Adopting Research through Design (RtD), we developed an LLM-driven IDN prototype that allows players to interact with Lin Daiyu, the iconic female character of HLM. We then playtested the prototype with seven HLM readers and five IDN designers through semi-structured interviews. Our findings reveal the potential and challenges of using LLMs as character and plot design materials for IDNs that remediate classic literature. We conclude by proposing two design strategies for LLM-driven IDNs that ensure both player engagement and narrative coherence: 1) Designing towards engaging AI and humans in the same task, and 2) Expanding AI responses beyond predictable boundaries.
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Interactive Storytelling
Subtitle of host publication	18th International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling, ICIDS 2025, Saint Julian, Malta, December 1–5, 2025, Proceedings, Part II
Editors	María Cecilia Reyes, Frank Nack
Place of Publication	Cham
Publisher	Springer
Pages	29-47
Number of pages	19
ISBN (Electronic)	978-3-032-12405-0
ISBN (Print)	978-3-032-12404-3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-12405-0_3
Publication status	Published - 2026
Event	18th International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling (ICIDS 2025): Kaleidoscopic Machines - Saint Julian, Malta Duration: 1 Dec 2025 → 5 Dec 2025 https://icids2025.ardin.online/

Publication series

Name	Lecture Notes in Computer Science
Volume	16375
ISSN (Print)	0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)	1611-3349

Conference

Conference	18th International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling (ICIDS 2025)
Abbreviated title	ICIDS2025
Place	Malta
City	Saint Julian
Period	1/12/25 → 5/12/25
Internet address	https://icids2025.ardin.online/

Bibliographical note

Information for this record is supplemented by the author(s) concerned.
Full text of this publication does not contain sufficient affiliation information. With consent from the author(s) concerned, the Research Unit(s) information for this record is based on the existing academic department affiliation of the author(s).

Research Keywords

interactive digital narrative
large language model
design material
remediation
cultural heritage

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10.1007/978-3-032-12405-0_3

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Huang, Y., Xiang, K., Sharma, G., Rabbi, R., Ju, R., & Holopainen, J. P. (2026). Meet Daiyu in The Era of GenAI: Using LLMs to Remediate Classics into Interactive Digital Narratives. In M. C. Reyes, & F. Nack (Eds.), Interactive Storytelling: 18th International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling, ICIDS 2025, Saint Julian, Malta, December 1–5, 2025, Proceedings, Part II (pp. 29-47). (Lecture Notes in Computer Science; Vol. 16375). Springer . https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-12405-0_3

Huang, Yuxuan ; Xiang, Kexin ; Sharma, Gauransh et al. / Meet Daiyu in The Era of GenAI : Using LLMs to Remediate Classics into Interactive Digital Narratives. Interactive Storytelling: 18th International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling, ICIDS 2025, Saint Julian, Malta, December 1–5, 2025, Proceedings, Part II. editor / María Cecilia Reyes ; Frank Nack. Cham : Springer , 2026. pp. 29-47 (Lecture Notes in Computer Science).

@inproceedings{91b1a8b524a24f749c75f7f729f64bb3,

title = "Meet Daiyu in The Era of GenAI: Using LLMs to Remediate Classics into Interactive Digital Narratives",

abstract = "In this paper, we explore the integration of large language models (LLMs) in interactive digital narratives (IDNs) in the context of remediating the classic Chinese novel, Hong Lou Meng (HLM). Adopting Research through Design (RtD), we developed an LLM-driven IDN prototype that allows players to interact with Lin Daiyu, the iconic female character of HLM. We then playtested the prototype with seven HLM readers and five IDN designers through semi-structured interviews. Our findings reveal the potential and challenges of using LLMs as character and plot design materials for IDNs that remediate classic literature. We conclude by proposing two design strategies for LLM-driven IDNs that ensure both player engagement and narrative coherence: 1) Designing towards engaging AI and humans in the same task, and 2) Expanding AI responses beyond predictable boundaries. {\textcopyright} The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026",

keywords = "interactive digital narrative, large language model, design material, remediation, cultural heritage",

author = "Yuxuan Huang and Kexin Xiang and Gauransh Sharma and Reshad Rabbi and Ran Ju and Holopainen, \{Jussi Pekka\}",

note = "Information for this record is supplemented by the author(s) concerned. Full text of this publication does not contain sufficient affiliation information. With consent from the author(s) concerned, the Research Unit(s) information for this record is based on the existing academic department affiliation of the author(s).; 18th International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling (ICIDS 2025) : Kaleidoscopic Machines, ICIDS2025 ; Conference date: 01-12-2025 Through 05-12-2025",

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Huang, Y , Xiang, K, Sharma, G, Rabbi, R, Ju, R & Holopainen, JP 2026, Meet Daiyu in The Era of GenAI: Using LLMs to Remediate Classics into Interactive Digital Narratives. in MC Reyes & F Nack (eds), Interactive Storytelling: 18th International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling, ICIDS 2025, Saint Julian, Malta, December 1–5, 2025, Proceedings, Part II. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 16375, Springer , Cham, pp. 29-47, 18th International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling (ICIDS 2025), Saint Julian, Malta, 1/12/25. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-12405-0_3

Meet Daiyu in The Era of GenAI: Using LLMs to Remediate Classics into Interactive Digital Narratives. / Huang, Yuxuan ; Xiang, Kexin; Sharma, Gauransh et al.
Interactive Storytelling: 18th International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling, ICIDS 2025, Saint Julian, Malta, December 1–5, 2025, Proceedings, Part II. ed. / María Cecilia Reyes; Frank Nack. Cham: Springer , 2026. p. 29-47 (Lecture Notes in Computer Science; Vol. 16375).

Research output: Chapters, Conference Papers, Creative and Literary Works › RGC 32 - Refereed conference paper (with host publication) › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - Meet Daiyu in The Era of GenAI

T2 - 18th International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling (ICIDS 2025)

AU - Huang, Yuxuan

AU - Xiang, Kexin

AU - Sharma, Gauransh

AU - Rabbi, Reshad

AU - Ju, Ran

AU - Holopainen, Jussi Pekka

N1 - Information for this record is supplemented by the author(s) concerned. Full text of this publication does not contain sufficient affiliation information. With consent from the author(s) concerned, the Research Unit(s) information for this record is based on the existing academic department affiliation of the author(s).

PY - 2026

Y1 - 2026

N2 - In this paper, we explore the integration of large language models (LLMs) in interactive digital narratives (IDNs) in the context of remediating the classic Chinese novel, Hong Lou Meng (HLM). Adopting Research through Design (RtD), we developed an LLM-driven IDN prototype that allows players to interact with Lin Daiyu, the iconic female character of HLM. We then playtested the prototype with seven HLM readers and five IDN designers through semi-structured interviews. Our findings reveal the potential and challenges of using LLMs as character and plot design materials for IDNs that remediate classic literature. We conclude by proposing two design strategies for LLM-driven IDNs that ensure both player engagement and narrative coherence: 1) Designing towards engaging AI and humans in the same task, and 2) Expanding AI responses beyond predictable boundaries. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026

AB - In this paper, we explore the integration of large language models (LLMs) in interactive digital narratives (IDNs) in the context of remediating the classic Chinese novel, Hong Lou Meng (HLM). Adopting Research through Design (RtD), we developed an LLM-driven IDN prototype that allows players to interact with Lin Daiyu, the iconic female character of HLM. We then playtested the prototype with seven HLM readers and five IDN designers through semi-structured interviews. Our findings reveal the potential and challenges of using LLMs as character and plot design materials for IDNs that remediate classic literature. We conclude by proposing two design strategies for LLM-driven IDNs that ensure both player engagement and narrative coherence: 1) Designing towards engaging AI and humans in the same task, and 2) Expanding AI responses beyond predictable boundaries. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026

KW - interactive digital narrative

KW - large language model

KW - design material

KW - remediation

KW - cultural heritage

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U2 - 10.1007/978-3-032-12405-0_3

DO - 10.1007/978-3-032-12405-0_3

M3 - RGC 32 - Refereed conference paper (with host publication)

SN - 978-3-032-12404-3

T3 - Lecture Notes in Computer Science

SP - 29

EP - 47

BT - Interactive Storytelling

A2 - Reyes, María Cecilia

A2 - Nack, Frank

PB - Springer

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ER -

Huang Y , Xiang K, Sharma G, Rabbi R, Ju R , Holopainen JP. Meet Daiyu in The Era of GenAI: Using LLMs to Remediate Classics into Interactive Digital Narratives. In Reyes MC, Nack F, editors, Interactive Storytelling: 18th International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling, ICIDS 2025, Saint Julian, Malta, December 1–5, 2025, Proceedings, Part II. Cham: Springer . 2026. p. 29-47. (Lecture Notes in Computer Science). Epub 2025 Nov 29. doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-12405-0_3

Meet Daiyu in The Era of GenAI: Using LLMs to Remediate Classics into Interactive Digital Narratives

Abstract

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Bibliographical note

Research Keywords

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