Korsakow

Item

Title
Korsakow
Description
The Korsakow System (Pronounced 'KOR-SA-KOV') is a software for creating browser-based dynamic documentaries. Invented in 2000 by Berlin-based artist Florian Thalhofer Korsakow allows users without any programming expertise to create and interact with database-driven narratives called Korsakow-Films or K-Films. The software can be used to produce documentary experimental and fictional narrative works and has been integrated into live performance and installation pieces.
K-films are created from an indexed archive of units in video format. A K-film project consists of minimal narrative units called SNUs (Smallest Narrative Units) with associated keywords. A published K-film consists of an HTML interface with a main video window that starts automatically when loaded into a web browser and other thumbnails that appear within the interface as buttons for loading additional video clips.
Form filler
Vincenzo Lombardo
Creator and affiliation
Berlin-based artist Florian Thalhofer (+ David Reisch) University of the Arts Berlin
Current ownership type
Private partially open-source
Year of first release
2000
End-product media type(s)
Interactive video
Main target audience(s)
Amateurs/enthusiasts
Professional interactive narrative authors
Creative people (no programming skills)-targeted tool
Videomakers-targeted tool
Available modes of creation
Tagging creation mode (e.g. in-out keywords in Korsakow)
Role of coding in creative process
Nonexistant
Life status
Alive (actively moderated and updated and/or active community of authors)
Product portal
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/2/d/1s4g-IrSZwH9NLWJ9o6i3dUydtKD47n3YDI4oM5MsaPk/pubhtml?gid=0&single=true
Homepage URL
http://korsakow.com
Reference citations/URL(s)
http://korsakow.tv
Use license cost
150+ euros license
Programming language written in
Written in Java
Author-facing programming/scripting language(s)
No author facing programming
Authoring tool work platform(s)
Windows
Mac
End-product work platform(s)
Browser support
Self-containment
Import is necessary
Primary design focus
Nodes & links (linking between individual segments e.g. Twine)
Primary authoring action(s)
Drag & drop (visual templates - e.g. RPGMaker - Unity)
Navigating text menus
Main interface window(s)
WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) layout
Designable general element(s)
Nodes and links (any medium)
Video segments
Rules/Constraints
Built-in preset element(s)
Layout presets of the final product
Overall difficulty assessment
Easy
Work environment/design interface intuitiveness
Highly intuitive
Learning curve complexity
Low learning curve
Advanced authoring complexity
Medium complexity
Depth of advanced authoring
Small depth
Degree of narrative specific emphasis
Nonexistent narrative-specific emphasis
Role of procedural authoring
Nonexistent procedural authoring
End-product control interface
Mouse & keyboard