Episode (video game)
| Episode | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Pocket Gems |
| Platform(s) | Android, iOS |
| Release | July 2013 |
| Genre(s) | Interactive fiction |
| Mode(s) | single-player |
Episode or Episode Interactive is an interactive story video game developed by Pocket Gems.[1][2][3][4][5]
The app is a storytelling network and platform that features interactive stories built for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Users enter one of the stories and make choices as the storyline progresses. The product also has a user generated content creation platform that enables users to create their own stories.[6]
Gameplay and content creation[edit]
The game is structured as a visual novel, with many stories to choose from. Players customize their character, choosing their hair, makeup, and facial features. As the player progresses through the story, they are given action and dialogue choices that can influence the plot. Featured stories have micro-transactions that allow the player to unlock premium choices using in-game currency.[7] Players have a set number of free chapters they can read each day, after which point they must purchase story packs to read more.[8]
Community members can also create and publish their own stories for others to view. The app has its own proprietary scripting language that is designed to help users without animation or computer programming experience.[9]
Popular stories[edit]
Many stories on the platform have gain significant traction and popularity among users. Some notable works that can be found on the app include: "Chain Reaction" by MissMJ, which is notably to most read story on the app with more than 89 million reads. Other popular stories include "The New Girl" by Saige, "Rebounding with Bad" by Natalia, "Competitive Edge" by Piccalilly, "Home Wrecker" by Joriemar, "The Kiss List" by Episode, "The Transformation" by Sandra G, "Pregnant by her Boyfriend" by Adeline Sky, "Pregnant by my Student" by Noob Loop, "The Pregnancy Game" by Kay B, and more.
Controversies[edit]
Despite the app being marketed to children, many of the stories available on the Episode app feature sexually suggestive elements.[6] User-generated stories are filtered for profanity, but this process does not eliminate sexual themes.[10] Daniel Terry, co-founder, and chief creative officer of Pocket Gems stated in an interview that the stories are directly monitored to flag inappropriate content and that the company will "always have a monitoring system in place" as the platform increases in scale.[8]
Online presence[edit]
The game became a popular meme throughout 2018 involving people creating their own picture imitating the clickbait style advertising linked with the game, while adding a slightly sinister twist.[11] The game also picked up attention from the social media platform TikTok[12] along with other similar apps, including Mafia City, in which viewers were presented with edited versions of the adverts for the apps.[13]
References[edit]
- ^ Spangler, Todd (14 December 2016). "'Pretty Little Liars' Offshoot Debuts on Episode's Interactive Story App". Variety. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
- ^ Takahashi, Dean (16 August 2017). "Pocket Gems' Episode brings back Clueless as an interactive mobile game". VentureBeat. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
- ^ Jarvey, Natalie (10 June 2015). "Pocket Gems Reviving 'Mean Girls' With New Mobile Game". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
- ^ "How Episode became the world's biggest interactive fiction platform". Gamasutra. 17 March 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
- ^ Ha, Anthony (21 February 2014). "Pocket Gems Launches Episode, A Platform For Interactive Mobile Stories". TechCrunch. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
- ^ a b Cooper, Janine M. (2 December 2019). "Episode – Choose Your Story: the inappropriate game your kids have probably played". The Conversation. Retrieved 2020-01-22.
- ^ Marshall, Cass (17 June 2019). "Fame, backlash, and money: Meet the young women making games for millions of fans". Polygon. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ a b Diener, Matthew (27 February 2014). "Storyboarding success: Pocket Gems opens the book on its new Episode platform". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ Cowley, Ric (26 April 2016). "Demi Lovato, Mean Girls and moderation: The making of Episode". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ "Content Guidelines". Episode Support. Zendesk.
- ^ "Episode". Know Your Meme. 30 January 2019. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
- ^ "episode memes｜TikTok Search". TikTok. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
- ^ "Mafia City". Know Your Meme. 3 January 2019. Retrieved 2023-02-07.