Interlude and MGM are developing a digital short inspired by the 1983 film WarGames
Interlude and MGM Television today announced they are partnering to create an original digital short inspired by MGM’s three-time Academy Award-nominated 1983 feature film WarGames. Interlude is a media and technology company that is pioneering a new kind of video that responds to a person’s emotions and interests.
The “WarGames” digital short will be a modern take on the original, putting the decisions in the hands of the audience. As an intense story unfolds, the audience has a chance to affect the outcome of the narrative. This new interactive content will leapfrog traditional entertainment by combining the narrative of a compelling movie with the responsiveness of a great game. Interlude’s patented technology makes it possible for creators to tell live-action stories that can adapt in a multitude of directions. Like in a video game, the viewer steps into the story to make choices that affect dialogue and even the plot at any particular moment in time. Every time you watch, and re-watch, the experience can be entirely different. This results in both better viewer engagement with and retention of the digital content.
“I have always been fascinated by this classic movie. ‘WarGames’ is more relevant than ever; it combines a look at hacking with the moral issues of treating war as a game,” said Yoni Bloch, CEO and a founder of Interlude. “Our goal is to create a new medium, and to bring this gripping story to a whole new generation that is now demanding more immersive video experiences.”
WarGames is a 1983 American feature film about a young computer whiz kid who accidentally connects into a top-secret super-computer, which has complete control over the U.S. nuclear arsenal. It challenges him to a game between America and Russia, and he innocently starts the countdown to World War 3. Now the kid has to convince the computer he wanted to play a game and not the real thing. WarGames was nominated for three Academy Awards including Best Screenplay.
“We are very excited to be working with Interlude on this audience-driven interactive story experience,” said Roma Khanna, President, Television Group and Digital, MGM. “’WarGames’ is the perfect MGM title for this innovative technology. It allows us to engage the audience in the fundamental question of ‘what would you do?’”
