About us
What we support
ARDIN supports the study and practice of Interactive Digital Narratives (IDN). These are storytelling experiences in which users actively engage with and influence the narrative through digital media. We believe IDN has the power to explain complex issues, entertain, and educate. Through both theoretical and applied approaches, we aim to strengthen the role of interactive storytelling across disciplines and industries.
What we explore
Our community explores a wide range of interactive narrative forms. These include narrative video games, interactive documentaries, journalistic interactives, artistic installations, and XR experiences such as virtual, augmented and mixed reality. By valuing this diversity, we seek to better understand how interactivity and storytelling shape experiences across cultures, contexts, and technologies.
What we are
ARDIN is based in Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and Atlanta(USA), but our commitment is global. To support this, we connect a worldwide network of researchers, artists, and practitioners who collaborate across disciplines and cultures. Since 2008, we have hosted the International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling (ICIDS). today, it is the premier venue for presenting cutting-edge IDN research, innovative artworks, and the latest narrative productions.
How we grow
We help build the field of IDN by supporting emerging scholars and recognizing outstanding work. In addition, we encourage collaboration in both research and creative practice. At the same time, we apply IDN design to real-world challenges, showing how storytelling can be both innovative and impactful.
By joining ARDIN, you become part of a welcoming, supportive, and active network of peers.
A monthly newsletter
Regular online meetups
Task forces addressing community needs
Support for the ICIDS and the ZIP-Scene conferences
And many more ways to stay connected and contribute
Our Story
The foundation of ARDIN
ARDIN emerged from a growing network of academics and practitioners who met at conferences focused on Interactive Digital Narratives (IDN). The journey began in 2000 with the first workshop on tools for interactive storytelling, led by Ulrike Spierling and colleagues. Soon after, the ICVS and TIDSE conferences merged into ICIDS, the International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling. This event became ARDINs main annual gathering in 2008.
The need for structure
As the years progressed, the community continued to expand. In 2017, the Zip-Scene conference was introduced as a sister event with a regional focus on Eastern Europe. At the same time, it became clear that a more continuous organizational structure was needed to support the growing network.
Formal establishment
As a result of this need, ARDIN was formally established in 2018 during the 11th edition of ICIDS. The association was created to support the field beyond the conference format and to strengthen long-term collaboration.
Growth and expansion
Since its founding, ARDIN has continued to grow. It has launched newsletters, organized online meetups, and supported collaboration in both research and creative practice. In addition, the community has expanded to include professionals at all stages of their careers. These range from seasoned experts to emerging scholars.
International collaboration
In 2019, ARDIN co-initiated INDCOR (Interactive Narrative Design for Complexity Representations). This European COST Action united more than 250 researchers and practitioners from over 40 countries. Notably, ARDIN members played key roles as organizers, trainers, and facilitators in this large-scale collaboration.
Looking ahead
Today, ARDIN serves as a global hub for support, idea sharing, and collaboration. Through all of this work, the organization helps its community shape the future of Interactive Digital Narratives.
2000
First workshop on tools for interactive storytelling
2008
The ICVS and TIDSE conferences are merged into ICIDS
2017
The ZIP-Scene conference is launched
2018
ARDIN is formally established as an association
2019
ARDIN co-initiates INDCOR
2020
ARDIN launches monthly newsletter and regular online meetups
Our Research Areas
ARDIN’s research community bridges theory and practice, as well as technology and design. Through this interdisciplinary focus, our members explore a wide range of areas. As a result, their efforts deepen understanding, inform practice and push the boundaries of interactive storytelling. In doing so, they help advance the field of Interactive Digital Narratives across academic, artistic, and applied contexts.
Each node below represents a distinct area of research. Collectively, these areas are united by a shared focus on interaction and narrative, which serve as central threads throughout the ARDIN community’s work. Taken together, they illustrate the diversity and depth of the field while reflecting the values that connect researchers across disciplines.
