Samantha Clark

Playing games while watching TV
June 3, 2008

An online game that you have to watch TV to win? I'd like to see the DVD for that.

The Sci Fi Channel and videogame publisher Trion World Network have joined to develop a massively multi-player online game that will also have a companion TV show, both set in the same fictional world and the story line and character arcs developing on both, according to VB sister publication Broadcasting & Cable. (Click to read the full story.)

It's an intriguing idea, and one I'm sure network execs and studio heads will be watching closely. Studios have been trying to tap into the success of videogames for years, making movies of videogames and licensing movies for videogames, some with more success than others. (My husband and I just finished playing Bioshock, and I'm looking forward to seeing what Gore Verbinski does with the movie version.)

This new hybrid could become the new gaming obsession, but what it'll come down to is how compelling the story and action is. Content is still king.

What will be even more interesting to see is whether Sci Fi and Trion will try to further build revenue with TV on DVD, and how.

This also could be an opportunity for the online TV download vendors, offering up the current episode on demand for those who missed it on TV and don't have a TiVo, and offering up past episodes for those who can't remember a plot point that has now become important.

Kudos to Sci Fi and Trion for experimenting. We'll be watching and cheering you on.

Posted by Samantha Clark on June 3, 2008 | Comments (0)