Patent ID: 7542553

Claim:
A method for operating a voice-based interactive entertainment program, the method comprising: a) receiving a voice communication from at least one user; b) selecting output in accordance with a voice-based interactive entertainment program, programmed with a plurality of interacting autonomous virtual performers, said autonomous virtual performers comprising software components programmed in accordance with an autonomous intelligent agent architecture characterized by a set of behavior rules, behavior history and personality attributes providing a spontaneity of response of the autonomous virtual performer responsive to said received user voice communication and responsive to other autonomous virtual performers, to produce said output; c) presenting said output to said user; d) prompting said user for input at a plot point of said voice-based interactive entertainment program; e) receiving said input from said user; f) selecting output at least partly in accordance with said voice-based interactive entertainment program and said input; g) presenting to said user said output selected in step f).