[arg_discuss] NYTimes: Book series with web component, also serialized TV

[John Evans]

Today's New York Times has a couple of articles that it seemed like those on
this list might find interesting. You can read them free online (although
I suspect they get archived in the members-only section after a while).

"Author of Book Series Sends Kids on a Web Treasure Hunt"

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/02/books/02rior.html?ref=arts

"Scholastic has deployed its considerable marketing fire power behind the new series, which is tied to a Web-based game (www.the39clues.com) and collectors’ cards. The publisher, which thrived on the enormous success of the Harry Potter novels, is now facing the reality that many children are now as engrossed in the Internet and video games as they are in books.

“The idea is that every aspect will add to the storytelling in its own way,” said David Levithan, an executive editorial director for multimedia publishing at Scholastic. “The Web or card experience is not at all going to replicate the book experience, nor is the book experience going to replicate the Web.”"

And, maybe not quite as ARG-focused but possibly still interesting:

"Television Keeps a Hand in the Online Game With Serialized Shows"

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/02/arts/television/02seri.html?ref=arts

"What “N.” really demonstrates is that the Internet could use more Stephen King. The story, involving therapy, obsessive-compulsive disorder and an evil presence trapped in a New England field, is C-grade King. (It was adapted for the serial by Marc Guggenheim, a creator of “Eli Stone.”) But it still has enough narrative pull to drag you from snippet to snippet, even when there’s less than a minute of new material."

--
John Evans
Chaoseed Software - http://chaoseed.com