I pretty much assume that it must be similar to AIML (if not using AIML directly), but I am far more familiar with AI Script, myself. (Yes, I'm one of those Personality Forge botmaster creeps.)

If it was similar enough to be able to import existing AI Script without a tremendous amount of work, I'd be so stoked, but of course I doubt that. So, if I may ask, I wonder if it could be reasonably likened to an existing language—or if it could be said what, if any, existing language it is using or derived from—so that I might get to work ahead of time.

Or are we looking at something too novel for that?

The AI scripting we have is pretty easy to use. Its a mix of hierarchical state machines, NLP, XML.

AIML was somewhat too limited because it directly combines NLP with logic.
This means for almost every sentence a response has to be written. So it does not really allow for more complex game plans.

I think people who have use scripts before will find it very easy to work with XSP scripting engine.

Understood. I'm pretty terrible with AIML compared to others, despite its popularity, which is perhaps the main reason I was wondering.

Thanks for answering with demonic speed.

I think AIML got popular because there are so few alternatives at the moment.
AI is one of the most underestimated and forgotten aspects in gaming.

But for games like XStoryPlayer is is very important, so we really spend a lot of time building it.

I will describe it in more detail soon in the modding thread.