Black Mirror’s Latest Episode Features a Groundbreaking Gaming Crossover Moment
The popular Netflix anthology series Black Mirror has once again pushed the boundaries of interactive storytelling with its latest episode, "Plaything". According to a report by Eurogamer, the episode features a unique gaming crossover moment that allows viewers to experience the central concept of the show – a video game called Thronglets – for themselves.
A Similar Concept to Bandersnatch
"Plaything" stars Peter Capaldi as a suspect in a murder case, with links to an unusual video game made during the 1990s. The episode revolves around Capaldi’s character’s statement and life story, as we flash back to the 1990s, when he was working as a video game journalist for magazine PC Zone. This setup bears some similarities to the 2018 episode "Bandersnatch", which also featured an interactive element that allowed viewers to choose the path of the story.
However, as Eurogamer notes, the gaming crossover moment in "Plaything" is different from "Bandersnatch". While "Bandersnatch" was an interactive episode that allowed viewers to make choices that affected the story, "Plaything" features a companion mobile game called Thronglets that can be played separately from the episode.
The Thronglets Game
Thronglets is a god sim game with tamagotchi-like elements, where players care for creatures called Thronglets and make choices that affect their behaviour. The game was developed by Night School, the studio behind the Oxenfree series, in collaboration with Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker. According to Eurogamer, Brooker was heavily involved in the development of the game, which took over a year and a half to complete.
The game features a unique meta commentary that reflects the player’s choices and actions. As Eurogamer notes, "every time a Thronglet comes to you with a question, there’s a humorous outcome, either as you struggle to answer what they ask, or because of how they interpret what you say."
A New Era of Gaming on Netflix
The release of Thronglets and "Plaything" marks a significant step forward for Netflix’s gaming offerings. As Eurogamer notes, the game’s availability on the Netflix Mobile Games section provides a new way for users to discover and engage with games on the platform. However, the discoverability of the game is a concern, as it is not clearly signposted from the episode itself.
According to Eurogamer, "it’s not clear that there’s an accompanying game at all, after you finish watching the episode – it’s not signposted from there. You have to go specifically to the Netflix Mobile Games section to find it or see it advertised on the Mobile Games carousel."
A Promising Future for Interactive Storytelling
Despite some minor issues with discoverability, Thronglets and "Plaything" demonstrate the potential for interactive storytelling and gaming on Netflix. As Eurogamer notes, "Thronglets, to me, feels like the gaming future Netflix wants. It’s a fine example of how an additive brand-related gaming experience can be done."
The collaboration between Netflix, Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker, and Night School has resulted in a unique and engaging gaming experience that complements the episode perfectly. As the gaming and entertainment industries continue to evolve, it will be exciting to see how Netflix and other platforms explore new ways to integrate gaming and interactive storytelling into their offerings.
In conclusion, the latest episode of Black Mirror, "Plaything", features a groundbreaking gaming crossover moment that allows viewers to experience the central concept of the show – the Thronglets game – for themselves. With its unique gameplay mechanics and meta commentary, Thronglets is a must-play for fans of the series and gamers alike.
