My initial thoughts when hearing our brief was about an interactive stories was, 'Arn't interactive stories for kids.' I really want to aim my story at Teenagers/Young Adults but without making the interactivity to much of a novelty thing.
Initial Research
In my initial research into interactive story apps i found that there are many aim at young children and learning. For example:
Here is an app for the Princess and the Pea, it is aimed at 3 - 7 year olds. And promotes the fact it is entertaining and educational. This app also uses the iPad 2's Gyroscope.
Here is an app for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, a beautiful interactive picture book, music video, and counting activity all in one app. The apps description says it includes:
Story features:
- "Read to me" option with clear, calm, easy-to-understand narration
- "Read myself" option so you can go at your own pace
- "Auto-play" option for automatic page turning and narration
- Fun touch animations on almost every page
- Wonderfully rich animation and illustration
Music video features:
- Enhanced version of the YouTube classic "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"
- Choose the original child vocals, or the calming adult vocals of the story narrator.
- Enhanced version of the YouTube classic "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"
- Choose the original child vocals, or the calming adult vocals of the story narrator.
Counting activity features:
- Touch the stars to see them light up and spin around
- Count to 20 for a special surprise
- Touch the stars to see them light up and spin around
- Count to 20 for a special surprise
It also says it is aim at ages 2 and up.
So far i have only found interactive stories apps aimed at young children.
Further Research
As i said before i wanted to aim my app at Teenagers/ Young Adults, during my research into existing interactive story apps i found this one:
The Amazing Spider-Man app has no specific age on it. I believe it would be aimed at all ages but specifically young Teenagers as the interactivity is not to engaging for older ages. The app description says the app includes:
- Narrated by comic book legend and Spider-Man co-creater Stan "The Man" Lee!
- Interactive story-themed spider-games throughout: Help Peter Parker learn to use his powers -- test your strength, swing through the city, use your web-shooters to stop a burgler and much more!
- Secret Spider Hunt to win your very own "No-Prize!"
- Multiple Reading Modes: Read to Me, Read to Myself, Auto-Turn Pages, and Younger Reader Mode.
- Action-packed artwork throughout!
- includes Spidey sound effects and music!
Another app i have found aimed at older children / young teenagers is this Wizard of Oz app. Again this app has no age on it but i believe it is aimed at older children. This app also uses the iPad 2's gyroscope. The app description says it includes:
Features:
- A 45-page app, with 35 pages of innovative interactions.
- Revised story with newly written text.
- All-new art in two styles: 7 pages of masterful line artwork, and over 35 pages of full-color, paper-cut illustrations.
- Interactions that relate to the plot, so that you further the story.
- Illustrations with complex animations not previously seen in other iPad apps.
- An array of fun sound effects to immerse you in Dorothy’s world.
