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

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.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Interactive Storytelling
Subtitle of host publication	18th International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling, ICIDS 2025, St Julian’s, Malta, December 1–5, 2025, Proceedings
Editors	María Cecilia Reyes, Frank Nack
Publisher	Springer
Volume	Part II
ISBN (Electronic)	978-3-032-12405-0
ISBN (Print)	978-3-032-12404-3
Publication status	Accepted/In press/Filed - Nov 2025
Event	18th International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling - , Malta Duration: 1 Dec 2025 → 5 Dec 2025 https://icids2025.ardin.online/

Publication series

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

Conference

Conference	18th International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling
Abbreviated title	ICIDS 2025
Place	Malta
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).
Since this conference is yet to commence, the information for this record is subject to revision.

Research Keywords

interactive digital narrative
large language model
design material
remediation
cultural heritage

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Huang, Y., Xiang, K., Sharma, G., Rabbi, R., Ju, R., & Holopainen, J. P. (Accepted/In press). 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, St Julian’s, Malta, December 1–5, 2025, Proceedings (Vol. Part II). (Lecture Notes in Computer Science). Springer .

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, St Julian’s, Malta, December 1–5, 2025, Proceedings. editor / María Cecilia Reyes ; Frank Nack. Vol. Part II Springer , 2026. (Lecture Notes in Computer Science).

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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.",

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). Since this conference is yet to commence, the information for this record is subject to revision.; 18th International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling, ICIDS 2025 ; Conference date: 01-12-2025 Through 05-12-2025",

year = "2025",

month = nov,

language = "English",

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volume = "Part II",

series = "Lecture Notes in Computer Science",

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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, St Julian’s, Malta, December 1–5, 2025, Proceedings. vol. Part II, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Springer , 18th International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling, Malta, 1/12/25.

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, St Julian’s, Malta, December 1–5, 2025, Proceedings. ed. / María Cecilia Reyes; Frank Nack. Vol. Part II Springer , 2026. (Lecture Notes in Computer Science).

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

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). Since this conference is yet to commence, the information for this record is subject to revision.

PY - 2025/11

Y1 - 2025/11

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.

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.

KW - interactive digital narrative

KW - large language model

KW - design material

KW - remediation

KW - cultural heritage

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

SN - 978-3-032-12404-3

VL - Part II

T3 - Lecture Notes in Computer Science

BT - Interactive Storytelling

A2 - Reyes, María Cecilia

A2 - Nack, Frank

PB - Springer

Y2 - 1 December 2025 through 5 December 2025

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, St Julian’s, Malta, December 1–5, 2025, Proceedings. Vol. Part II. Springer . 2026. (Lecture Notes in Computer Science).

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

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Bibliographical note

Research Keywords

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