Netflix launches interactive storytelling for kids

INTERNET TV network Netflix has introduced a new of way of consuming its streamed content — one that lets viewers take control of the story line.

“Today, we’re excited to announce our first interactive “branching ” narrative episodes Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale and Buddy Thunderstruck: The Maybe Pile, where Netflix members are in control of how the stories unfold. The intertwining of our engineers in Silicon Valley and the creative minds in Hollywood has opened up this new world of storytelling possibilities on Netflix,” Carla Fisher, director of Product Innovation at Netflix, said in a statement posted on the company’s media blog.

This isn’t the first time the streaming giant experimented with interactive storytelling. In April last year, it introduced a gamification feature in its animated series Kong: King of the Apes. The Power Ups feature allowed viewers to “unlock” items and mini-episodes to motivate them watch the entire episode.

Netflix collaborated with animation studios DreamWorks Animation Television, American Greetings Entertainment and Stoopid Buddy Stoodios to bring interactivity in kids’ shows.

“We’ve done extensive research and talked to lots of kids and parents, collecting qualitative data to better understand if this is something viewers will like,” she said.

“The children’s programming space was a natural place for us to start since kids are eager 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,” she added.

Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale launched globally on June 20, while Buddy Thunderstruck: The Maybe Pile will be released on July 14. A third branching narrative Stretch Armstrong: The Breakout is in the works, according to Netflix, and it will be released next year.