The BBC has unveiled a new project designed especially for Alexa and Google Home smart speakers called ‘The Inspection Chamber’.
The show includes chunks of story followed by a decision taken by the listener – meaning users can take an active role in the story.
Creators hope this format will help people feel like they are genuinely interacting with the characters in the story.
The show includes chunks of story followed by a decision taken by the listener – meaning users can take an active role. Pictured is someone listening with Amazon’s Alexa home speaker
The project is an ‘interactive comedy science fiction audio drama’ and is being developed in partnership with Rosina Sound – an London-based agency that works on audio-based projects, writes BBC.
The BBC says it has created a ‘story engine’ that can be released on multiple platforms.
At first it will be compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, with plans to roll it out on Apple’s HomePod and Microsoft’s Invoke speaker.
A pilot episode is due to be launched by BBC Taster at the end of this year.
‘We’ve seen a lot of examples of interactive audio stories which operate like a Choose Your Own Adventure book – short chunks followed by a choice: would you like to go down the stairs or through the door?’
The team took inspiration from computers games like The Stanley Parable and Papa Sangre.
‘In this pilot, you’re actively playing a part in the story, using your own voice – we wanted to make it feel like you’re having a genuine, direct interaction with the other characters in the piece’.
‘As far as we know, there aren’t many people developing cross-platform voice experiences in this way’.
The BBC is not the only one to be exploring the possibilities of interactive storytelling.
In June Netflix revealed its first interactive TV shows, starring Puss in Books from the popular Shrek films and Buddy Thunderstruck.
It allows children to use their existing TV remote to make choices for characters, in a modern twist of the choose your own ending adventure books.
At first it will be compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home (pictured), with plans to roll it out on Apple’s HomePod and Microsoft’s Invoke speaker
‘Content creators have a desire to tell non-linear stories like these, and Netflix provides the freedom to roam, try new things and do their best work,’ said Carla Engelbrecht Fisher, the Director of Product Innovation at Netflix.
It could also bring the technology to more grown up offerings.
Netflix said it launched the shows after ‘extensive research and talked to lots of kids and parents, collecting qualitative data to better understand if this is something viewers will like.’
‘We’re looking forward to learning and seeing where the path leads us.’
In June it was announced Netflix has revealed its first interactive TV shows, starring Puss in Books from the popular Shrek films and Buddy Thunderstruck