Michael Grant, author of the Gone Series, is trying something new with his latest book: transmedia. The idea is to create an online experience prior to the book being released.
GoBZRK is a transmedia experience intended to garner interest in the book. Currently, there are three websites based on the book BZRK: NexusHumanus.com, GoBZRK, and SocietyTwins.com. Each website plays a role in the overall story telling incorporating an elaborate layering of fictional subplots, character blogs, Web comics, role-playing games, videos, and mobile device apps in an intricately scripted gaming experience aimed at fueling online interest. Go BZRK puts you, the player, right in the middle of the action as you join Nexus Humanus and unravel a mystery that may hold the key to the fate of all mankind. Society Twins has more of a blog-like feel where two of the main characters, Sophie and Sylvie, blog about looking for their missing brother Davis. The transmedia experience acts as a prequel to the novel which is due out in Feb 2012.
GoBZRK is a six-month-long interactive transmedia prequel to Grant’s novel; it began in August and uses everything from multiple Web sites to social media, incorporating an elaborate layering of fictional subplots, character blogs, Web comics, role-playing games, videos, and mobile device apps in an intricately scripted gaming experience aimed at fueling online interest in Grant’s book before it appears in stores. It’s a born-transmedia project, plotted out by Grant and LeMay, an experienced film, TV, and commercial director, who has organized a team of writers, game developers, and social media experts to produce the project. GoBZRK is being paid for by Shadow Gang, Grant, and Egmont.
What do you think about the transmedia experience? Are you interested in having a prequel told through social media, websites and video?