A naukri.com initiative
Polygon
2d
55
Image Credit: Polygon
Black Mirror’s Thronglets might not be a template, says Netflix Games lead, but it’s the future
- Sean Krankel, the general manager of Netflix's narrative games division, discusses the development process of the Black Mirror tie-in game Thronglets and the future of narrative games at Netflix.
- Thronglets was born out of Charlie Brooker's script for the Black Mirror episode 'Plaything' and marks a departure in game development for Krankel and his team at Night School Studio.
- The game combines elements of a life simulator with Black Mirror-friendly storytelling, offering players a unique narrative-driven experience on iOS and Android.
- The game development process involved merging simulation elements with storytelling mechanics, resulting in a gameplay experience that balances player agency and narrative coherence.
- Thronglets draws inspiration from classic games like The Sims and Lemmings while introducing a distinctive narrative layer that poses moral dilemmas to players.
- The game allows players to interact with in-game characters through a terminal interface, creating a unique storytelling experience that mirrors the relationship dynamics seen in the Black Mirror episode.
- The game's design balances the chaos of managing thronglets with player engagement, avoiding excessive punishment mechanics to maintain a fun gameplay experience.
- Thronglets offers interactive elements that connect with the Black Mirror episode, encouraging players to explore QR codes and unlock additional content related to the game's narrative.
- As the head of Narrative Games at Netflix, Krankel aims to explore diverse game genres that offer players agency within immersive stories, hinting at future multiplayer and cloud-based narrative game experiences.
- Netflix's focus on creating unique and novel narrative gaming experiences reflects a commitment to delivering bespoke eventized games that engage players through innovative storytelling methods.
Read Full Article
3 Likes
For uninterrupted reading, download the app