3 Interactive Storytelling Platforms: Is This the Future of Books?

Technology + Gear
by Alison McKenzie Aug 15, 2013

Interactive storytelling is not a new concept. From “Choose Your Own Adventure” books to old-school interactive fiction games like Zork, we’ve looked at ways to customize the reading experience for years.

However, now that many people are sporting smartphones and tablets, the idea of interactive storytelling is rising again, with interesting implications for the future.

1. Versu

Versu is an interactive storytelling app from Linden Lab. There are currently four titles to play through. From the site:

The engine uses social AI by Richard Evans (Black and White, Sims 3) and conversation modeling by Emily Short (Galatea, Alabaster) to allow characters to react in-persona to whatever situations they encounter — so when you select an action, those around you will respond dynamically based on their moods, character abilities, and the narrative situation.

2. The 39 Steps

The 39 Steps is a digital adaptation of a thriller novel of the same name. From the site:

John Buchan’s incredible espionage thriller is our debut – and the first ever – digital adaptation: a new form of interactive entertainment that merges literature, cinema and gaming. Whether you know The Thirty-Nine Steps inside out, or have never heard of Richard Hannay, this is the classic story as it has never been told before.

3. Little Dead Riding Hood

Little Dead Riding Hood is a dark retelling of the classic tale.

Is this the future of storytelling? Are books going to become more like games? Or is it just a fad?

* This post was originally published at Bibliomancy and was reprinted here with permission.

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