Creators of interactive horror series blur line between TV and video games

TORONTO – Ever watched a horror movie and wanted to scream “Run!” or “Don’t go in there!” at one of the characters?

A new interactive mobile horror series could be the answer. “Voyeur,” created by Toronto’s CineApp Inc., allows users to become a part of the chilling story and make decisions that affect its outcome.

“When people really get into stories, they’re sort of engrossed in them. They want to talk to the actors, get involved in it, and what better way to get involved than to actually be a character?” asked Oliver Moorhouse, founder and creative director of CineApp Inc.

“Voyeur” is the first original series on CineApp, a new platform that allows producers to create interactive storytelling experiences. After downloading CineApp on Google Play, users connect to their Facebook account. The app draws from their information, photos and friends to create a unique experience.

The series follows a young woman named Ash who wakes up trapped in an abandoned orphanage with a madman on the loose. As a stranger who can help her survive, the user is prompted to answer questions, give directions and make other decisions that impact the outcome of the story.

Moorhouse said the line between video games and TV is already becoming more blurred.

“You see things like ‘Grand Theft Auto’ or ‘Mass Effect’ in the traditional console game world adding on more and more story … then you see TV series trying to bolt on interactive with second screen experiences,” he said.

“We thought, ‘Hey, what if you went straight at it?’ Not trying to bolt it on after the fact but if it was actually created for the mobile platform.”

Asked whether users should have privacy concerns, Moorhouse said “not at all.” He said the app does not share your data or post anything without consent.

Content producer Jordan Walker said the film industry is rapidly changing toward more interactive experiences.

“I really had an instinct that the future would be more in this direction than in traditional content. Independent film … is really struggling right now with piracy. So one of the exciting things was to be able to tell a different type of story,” he said.

He added that he’s heard a lot of interest from the television and film industry about the platform.

“Everyone’s like, ‘Oh, OK, I can see that that might be the future.’ We all know things are changing and I think people really see the potential of this medium.”