The streaming service begins launching interactive shows that let viewers steer the story.
Netflix is giving viewers control over the story as it announces the launch of its new children’s shows, complete with interactive elements.
Much like the choose-your-own-adventure books of our youth (or for you youngins’, a Telltale video game?) the two programs — “Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale” and “Buddy Thunderstruck: The Maybe Pile” — allow viewers to take control during key parts in the story.
For example, you could choose for the bears that Puss in Boots encounters to be friendly or not with a press of a remote or tap of a touchscreen — with the result having an impact on what you see next and possibly even how the story ends.
Netflix says that kids’ programming was the natural first place to test out its new interactive feature, seeing as children already tend to like talking to characters on the screen, tapping screens and buttons, and taking control where their story goes.
Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale is available to watch globally starting today, with Buddy Thunderstruck: The Maybe Pile launching July 14. Netflix says that “most TV experiences” will support the new feature, alongside iOS devices.
No release date was given for Android at this time, though those dying to take interactive control of a Netflix property like, say, the upcoming Witcher TV series or the Castlevania anime could just, you know, take up video gaming.
