The Night Circus
This week, we are delighted to launch The Night Circus, our new interactive narrative set in the world of Erin Morgenstern’s acclaimed, exquisite debut novel of the same name. Paul, Henry and I have spent most of the last couple of months building the site, and this is a bit of an emotional moment as we finally send our baby out into the world.
When Random House brought the book to us several months ago, we were immediately excited by the possibilities Erin’s world offered. There’s this vast, weird, constantly evolving circus, Le Cirque des Rêves, which is made of firelight and shadows and chiaroscuro magic. It has a cast of mysterious eccentrics and a sweet, poignant love story at the heart of it all. What was most interesting for us, though, was the space that opened up in Erin’s lovely world for our own storytelling. The Night Circus has been like a playground for us – we’ve added new acts and moved the circus to five different cities around the world, and illustrated it with Paul’s beautiful, enigmatic artwork. Above all, we’ve tried to tell stories that draw you-the-reader into the centre of your own narrative while meshing into the background fabric of the novel.
This was an especially interesting prospect because Erin’s novel is already halfway there. It’s punctuated throughout by scenes that invite the reader directly into the circus – curious, spare, second-person vignettes that interrupt the narrative and guide you through various experiences that are just for you. All we needed to do was create lots more similar scenes and develop a narrative system that allows you to choose your own path through them. These vignettes are outside the plot of the novel, but they’re part of the story of the circus itself – it has its own independent existence, and this is what allowed us so much imaginative space to play with.
There’s a long-established tradition of telling stories in other people’s worlds, of course, and we’re proud to have had the chance to continue this with The Night Circus. We hope we’ve managed to occupy Erin’s circus with the love and respect it deserves. And we hope you enjoy visiting it with us.
It’s rather interesting. I still feel a bit distanced from it all – like I’m not part of it, more of just an observer, mouth agape, in wonder of all these great things happening. But, I believe I could get into this game. Is it a game? I’m unsure.
At the very least, it’s done its job in piquing my interest.
Hmm. It feels more like snippets of writing than a game, but that’s fine – it’s lovely writing, after all. Will you be expanding this? I’ve got a number of mementoes that I’d like to see a use for. And some sweets that I’d like to be able to eat.
If you’re accustomed to Echo Bazaar, you will find the Night Circus quite a different experience. It’s designed for much more casual, sporadic play. That’s not to say there aren’t narratives and secrets to uncover – there are – but you’ll enjoy it more if you consider it a kind of magical mystery tour.
Of course, if you want to know the full story, you’ll just have to read the novel…
My only worry is that the novel will not live up to this delightful introduction to the world. I look forward to reading it and finding out.
And read I will – not one of the five people I’ve invited so far have disliked the game. It even brought one of my friends back to EBZ. I’m gonna order with that 25% discount, despite not being much of a reader.
TNC got my sister interested. FarmVille/CityVille player to narrative appreciater. Bravo.
The artwork is, if I may borrow a favourite adjective, delicious. Almost too beautiful: I’m having to remind myself to read the words. They’re good too.
I’ve been having fun with it, but I haven’t gotten a Sunrise card to get to the next performance, and I think I’ve gone through 50+ cards at this point…
It’s a bit frustrating to see all this new content and not be able to access it.
Yay, double post, but I don’t think I can edit my previous post. I have no idea if you guys decided to make that change after my post or you guys were already planning to do it, but thanks anyways.
I've read tons of novels about magic, romance, even graphic novels, but I've never read anything about a circus. I'm not a big fan of circuses, and I've never been in one, but it seems like a very interesting story.
I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it wise.
I think the information provided is great! I found it very useful.
Russell's Carpet Cleaning
968 S 600 W Provo, UT 84601
(801) 427-3269
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=Russell's+Carpet+Cleaning+provo&hl=en&cid=16324984642119770761
Again, brilliant post. You know, I am very delighted I came across this. I'll pin your blog post so my buddies can read your writing too!