This article studies the pioneering genre of Chinese cyber costume light comedy series Love Game in Eastern Fantasy (永夜星河), and uses a multidisciplinary approach that combines transmedia storytelling, audience agency, and interaction design to conduct a case study. This series adopts a game-like narrative framework combining 'novel transmigration','system tasks', and 'game strategy' to focus on audience participation, immersive experiences, and its innovative use of meta-narrative techniques. Viewers can immerse themselves in the narrative while experiencing interactive marble games like BreakBricks on the playback interface. This interactive game can add joy and interactivity to the viewing experience. More innovatively, the audience can also visually and flexibly check the real-time progress of the protagonist Lin Miaomiao’s mission by typing “check favorability” on the bullet screen. As the plot unfolds, unique bullet screen special effects will be triggered at various critical points, providing viewers with an unprecedented immersive viewing experience. Hence, bullet screens play a transformative role, evolving from potential distractions into an integral artistic and participatory element. Furthermore, the series leverages meta-narrative elements and breaks the fourth wall to bridge its ancient setting with the modern public opinion sphere, fostering a dialogue between fictional and real-world discourses. The series transforms traditional viewing into a participatory and immersive experience by elevating audience engagement mechanisms, allowing viewers to co-create meaning and enhance emotional connection. Therefore, this study suggests ways for web series to reshape traditional storytelling and provide insights into the intersection of interactive television and participatory culture.

Authors:
Hanxue Zhang, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University; University of Liverpool, United Kingdom

About the Presenter(s)
Hanxue Zhang is a PhD student at the University of Liverpool, UK. Her research interests include new media forms, interactive films and television, audience behaviour and experience, game study, interactive narrative design, etc.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Monday Schedule

Bookmark