From a Linear Literary Narrative to an Interactive Digital Narrative: A Study on Potentialities Through Two Tales: “The Mystery of the Tree” and “Red Riding Hood”

Abstract

Books have been around for centuries and have played a decisive role throughout history. However, in an increasingly digital society, there is a constant debate about its place. Nowadays, the population contacts with stories through interactive digital narratives, while literary texts seem to be increasingly ignored. There is a lack of research on interactive digital narratives as enhancers of reading habits. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to understand the sensation of reading a printed text and an interactive digital narrative of the same story, to analyze the latter’s potential in relation to the first. For this purpose, thirty-two participants read one of two different short stories, as a printed linear narrative and as an interactive digital narrative, in this order or reverse. In the end, we held an interview. The results suggest that the interactive digital narrative is more captivating, as well as a facilitator of the reading of the story. However, individuals with good reading habits prefer the printed linear narrative, expressing the absence of decision-making as one of its several advantages. On the other hand, most people find that the user’s involvement in the story helps to keep their attention. There is a consensus on its potential. Finally, this study confirms that the use of literary texts for the creation of interactive digital narratives can be useful, especially in stimulating reading habits for individuals who do not usually read.