July 2nd, 2010
Interactive Books
What I like about books. What I miss on the net.
Being immersed in a world. Forgetting what is around me.
Diving into thoughts and exploring the consequences.
Taking the time to understand. Mastering the hard or boring parts, too.
Learning as a journey, guided by the author. Week-long journeys, not just brief glimpses.
A feel of accomplishment, putting it on the shelf and looking at the back later.
So… can we have that online/digital/mobile/iPadded? ;)
On the internet, you are not continuous.
Each serendipitous link brings you into a different world, mood, state, learning.
A book gives you the feeling of being one reader, throughout the time you read it. You are the receiver, the answer to the author. You are defined by the author and recognized at the same time.
Identity.
Even though stamped on you from the outside.
It feels good to concentrate for days on one topic or adventure. The novel you dive in to when commuting, that lets you travel through the caribean or explore distant planets.
In a way it is like a videogame. Just more portable.
With stronger pads, there could be a new genre:
- browser+mobile based games
- educational, in a way. or just entertaining. immersing.
- to be mastered within a week or two.
- 1-2 euros one-time price. or free.
- one author or few, telling a story.
- a set of techniques for visualization and involvement.
- plenty reading and understanding. even surfing, to find out things.
- the important part is the storyline, guiding the user/reader along.
- accomplishment: share your success in social networks, as badge etc. mark as solved in your shelf.
- later, be able to look things up in this game, if educational.
Biz idea: Create a platform or software for game/book authors to create and sell these kind of interactive books. Expect authors to work several weeks or months to create really cool ones.
Related Inspiration:
- Text adventures. “Get Lamp” movie is great: trailer.
- Alice in Wonderland, illustrated for iPad. (Strange) video.



