THE STORY SPOT

Now here’s something interesting in the world of interactive storytelling. Crushing It is a comedy series/soap unfolding right now, in real time, on Twitter. How’s that, you say? Series Creator Jill Golick has dreamed into reality a setting, characters, and a hijinks-fraught storyline then turned them loose on Twitter for one week only.

“Think of this as an improv performance on the virtual stage of the Internet,” they say. We’ll think of it as brilliant. Screenwriters play the wedding-stressed characters and the audience fills in the rest.
What are you waiting for? Jump in!

CRUSHING IT
February 1 to February 5th, 2010
Only on Twitter
http://twitter.com/crushingitstory/crushing-it-story/
#cistory

Screenwriter Jill Golick’s Blog: “Running with My Eyes Closed“

From acclaimed artist Erik Loyer comes an innovation in storytelling. Billed as a “Tamogatchi for adults,” Opertoon is an interactive story between lovers played out on your iPhone.

Ruben & Lullaby are lovers having their first fight. Whether they break up or make up depends on you! Shake to make them angry. Stroke to make them sad. The future of their relationship is in your hands.

Writers, here is your glimpse into your future. 

UPDATE: September 26, 2009
More from our friend Erik on the world of Opertoon!

It’s been a great year for Ruben & Lullaby, here’s a quick recap in case you missed all the goings-on:

* Finalist, Achievement in Art Category, Second Annual Independent Games Festival Mobile
* Coverage from MSNBC.com, Apple, and thoughtful folks like Scott McCloud, Emily Short (who mentioned it on her “Interactive Storytelling Must-Play” list), Michael Abbott and Andrew Stern
* Exhibited at E3 as an IndieCade Official Selection
* Featured in O’Reilly Media’s new book Best iPhone Apps: A Guide for Discriminating Downloaders

Finally, I’m aiming to announce development of the second Opertoon by the end of the year–there’s a number of interesting possibilities cooking at the moment. For more frequent updates, point your RSS reader at http://opertoon.com or use Twitter (http://twitter.com/opertoon) or Facebook (http://bit.ly/1mrEvg).

Opertoon at the iTunes App Store
The official Opertoon site
Erik Loyer’s Generous Machine