Last weekend, after journeying to the Poconos for a Media trip, I took my daughter to Stories Bookshop in Brooklyn for the unveiling of Netflix’s interactive storytelling with Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale and Buddy Thunderstruck: The Maybe Pile. It lets kids (or maybe adults too – don’t judge me) choose between options in the story — basically, you can control how the stories unfold. And it’s super cool. Netflix Introduces Interactive Storytelling That Lets Your Child Control the Action!
Basically, Netflix’s engineers came up with technology to have “Choose Your Own Adventure-like” element to Netflix shows.
Take a look at the video:
You can control the action on your smart TV or IOS devices. At many points in the show, you are asked to make a choice between two options. Then you come to another place to make a choice, etc.. Kids can take turns to control the story.
They can watch again and make different choices.
Netflix said that they “started with the children’s programming space because kids like to “play” with their favorite characters and already inclined to tap, touch and swipe at screens. They also talk to their screens, as though the characters can hear them. Now, that conversation can be two-way. It’s really about finding the right stories – and storytellers – that can tell these complex narratives and bring them to life in a compelling way.”
My daughter really liked checking out Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale. We were already fans of the Puss in Boots series on Netflix, so she was excited to control the story herself.
Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale just launched globally, Buddy Thunderstruck: The Maybe Pile is coming soon on July 14, and their third branching narrative Stretch Armstrong: The Breakout is in the works, coming to Netflix next year. At launch, these titles will be available on most TV experiences as well as iOS devices. The Adventures of Puss in Boots and Buddy Thunderstruck are children’s series that are currently on Netflix, but these particular interactive adventures Netflix just announced are brand new standalone episodes.
Thank you to Netflix for inviting us to check out the new technology. I am a Netflix Stream Team Ambassador and get certain perks in exchange for my honest opinion.
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