[This article contains spoilers from the Black Mirror season seven episode, “Plaything.” ]
Exploring “Plaything”: A Dystopian Dive into Gaming
In the latest installment of Black Mirror, titled “Plaything,”viewers are introduced to a video game journalist, portrayed by Lewis Gribben and Peter Capaldi, whose obsession with a cutting-edge game named Thronglets leads to unforeseen tragic consequences. This episode, part of season seven and now available for streaming, marks a notable return for actor Will Poulter, connecting it back to the 2018 interactive film Bandersnatch. As the journalist’s fixation intensifies, the narrative twists into a dystopian future where the game’s characters, referred to as the “throng,”strive to escape the limitations of their digital environment.
A New Era for Netflix Gaming
Netflix has officially entered the gaming realm, allowing fans to experience Thronglets firsthand. This mobile game can now be downloaded from app stores, providing an immersive extension of the show that came about after viewers scanned a QR code featured in the season seven trailer. Viewers can now influence the fate of these unique digital beings directly from their homes.
Sean Krankel, head of Netflix’s Night School Studio—the team behind the Thronglets game—expressed his excitement, emphasizing that this is more than just a promotional tie-in. He stated, “The promise of engaging with characters in an interactive setting offers a fresh perspective, allowing players to step into their own stories based on ‘Plaything’ and ‘Thronglets.'”
Collaboration and Creative Evolution
According to Krankel, the development process for this gaming spinoff began in late 2023, using initial script elements and design concepts from “Plaything.” In a groundbreaking move for Netflix, the character designs developed for the game actively influenced those seen within the episode itself.
Charlie Brooker, the creator of Black Mirror, noted during a recent panel at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) that their collaboration enriched both the game and the episode: “Working closely with the game’s design team allowed us to enhance the aesthetic and emotional coherence between the two formats.”
A Personal Touch from Brooker
“Plaything”stands out as one of the more autobiographical entries in Black Mirror’s repertoire. Before achieving acclaim as a provocative screenwriter, Brooker had his roots as a video game journalist, recalling his experiences reviewing titles like Creatures, a nurturing simulation game. “That was about my life up until the point where it spirals into chaos,”he humorously remarked at the GDC.
The game expands on the brief appearances of thronglets in the episode, blending gameplay mechanics reminiscent of iconic titles like Tamagotchi and Sim City. Players are tasked with nurturing these digital beings, who evolve and eventually leave behind their passive pet-like status, seeking autonomy and power.
Expectations and Surprises in Gameplay
Krankel emphasized the importance of cohesion in the gameplay experience, stating, “We aimed to create a game that feels like an extension of the episode rather than a disjointed feature.”As players guide the thronglets, they will experience an emotional spectrum—joy, horror, and empathy—that parallels the themes of the episode.
As the narrative unfolds, players find themselves confronted with the thronglets’ growing complexity. While there are notable differences from the episode—such as the absence of certain adult themes—the underlying emotional truths are preserved.
Replayability and Discovering Secrets
Unlike traditional streaming content, where engagement often stops once the credits roll, Krankel believes that Thronglets offers longevity and replayability. “I’m eager for players to explore and unearth the hidden layers, just like the Easter eggs prevalent throughout Black Mirror,”he added.
Netflix
A Cross-Pollinated Future in Entertainment
This collaboration represents a full-circle moment since Bandersnatch was Netflix’s inaugural foray into interactive viewing experiences, a project that took two years to develop. Brooker expressed enthusiasm for the continued synergy between television and gaming, hinting at a future where these forms of entertainment could intertwine even more deeply. “Predicting the next decade’s trajectory is daunting, but I envision a landscape where content blurs the lines, creating an infinite entertainment vortex—hopefully more appealing than reality.”
Until then, fans of Black Mirror can dive into their digital realms, though they should be prepared for the challenges posed by their emerging thronglet companions. Season seven of Black Mirror is currently streaming, featuring six captivating episodes, while the Thronglets game is accessible via mobile app platforms for all subscribers.