Many people will remember the choose-your-own-adventure style books from their childhoods that allowed the reader to have some say in how the characters acted and the story ended. They represent a fun alternative to the typical one-track narrative and offer extra readability as each possible path is explored.
According to Engadget, Netflix is betting that this format can work with television shows and movies as well and has already entered the game with several children's shows.
These shows pause at many points in the story and allow watchers to use their remotes to make selections on which path to take. Wired Magazine explains that one of the first offerings, Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale, had enough options to result in 3,000 different run-throughs. Netflix's position as a digital content creator and streamer gives them huge potential for this niche.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
