The Hollywood Byte #16: ABC Finds New Lost Game

Benson said this new game story, which runs parallel to the show's story, opens up a lot more speculation and will ultimately provide more answers that connect with the show. It will introduce new characters and explore show mysteries like the Dharma Inititiative, the Hanso Foundation, The Others, and the connection of the Air Oceanic flight to the island.

"It's not a game in the traditional sense," explained Benson. "It's like a jigsaw puzzle that you put together. There are clues and pieces to this original story that are spread out throughout the world on the Internet, in the current season, as well as hidden in last season's episodes."

By using keen eyes and ears, Benson said that players will be able to unlock clues from various sources that unlock additional paths. He said this experience goes beyond surfing the Web or using a game controller.

"Games can be about more than just conquering something," said Benson. "Pulling things together can be challenging. We're going to throw some questions out there, answer some, and hopefully fans will be asking for more."

The Lost Experience will run throughout the summer and lead up to the beginning of Season 3. Benson said the story will come together with the show with the fall launch. If all goes according to plan, he'd like to unleash additional Experience story lines in the future.

While this "Experience" is driven by ABC's marketing department, Benson said it goes beyond a marketing campaign. He called this game "a true hybrid of content and viral engagement." The purpose of this game is not to sell the show to people, but to connect current viewers to the program in a way they haven't been in the past.

TV programs are constantly losing viewers to video games, DVDs, iPods, the Internet, and other entertainment diversions in this connected world. Benson believes Experience can keep Lost fans engaged with the show during its summer hiatus and have them coming back for more in the fall.

Benson said the network had success with its Oceanic Airlines Web site, which was filled with Easter Eggs and that unlocked new information about the show. He believes Lost fans will engage in this new game concept.

"This is brave new territory," said Benson, who acknowledged that this interactive game follows the same spirit as the show, which has broken many of the rules of linear entertainment over the past two seasons. The fact that show writers and producers are using this new format to expand their universe opens up a whole new way for TV creators to communicate with their viewers year-round.

The Hollywood Byte makes a weekly visit to the converging world of video games and traditional media.

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