Today, Branching Narrative announced their first title: Deathtrap Dungeon, which will be based on the classic Fighting Fantasy gamebook by Ian Livingstone.
Ian Livingstone said: “Deathtrap Dungeon has consistently been a fan favourite, so I am excited about the approach that Branching Narrative is taking in bringing my book to a new generation of players in a new format. Eddie Marsan is brilliant, and with the storytelling being an interactive rather than passive experience, this ain’t no Jackanory!”Deathtrap Dungeon is a classic of the Fighting Fantasy series. Originally released in 1984, the book throws down the gauntlet and asks players to survive a Trial of Champions that occurs in the Fang, a labyrinth full of traps and deadly creatures set by the main antagonist Baron Sakumvit.
The game will be based on the company's Interactive Fiction engine and will star actor Eddie Marston (Ray Donovan, Fast & Furious Presents Hobbs and Shaw, Deadpool 2), who will be the narrator and guide for the interactive title.
The title will be delivered to the player as a video stream that prompts the user to make choices and direct the flow of gameplay. It will be utilising mechanics from the book and apparently offering "enhanced gameplay over high-profile 'interactive movie' offerings", whatever that means.
Interested players will be able to meet the Branching Narrative team and see an early prototype at Fighting Fantasy Fest 3 on August 31 at the University of West London.
Matt Spall of Branching Narrative, said: “Our innovative take on Deathtrap Dungeon is a choice-based adventure, presented as an interactive video storybook with the fantastic Eddie Marsan narrating the story and guiding players as they find their way through Baron Sukumvit’s treacherous corridors of power.”This isn't the first time Fighting Fantasy books have been brought to PC. Previously, there were standalone releases for House of Hell, Starship Traveller, Caverns of the Snow Witch, Appointment with FEAR, and The Forest of DOOM. There was also Fighting Fantasy Legends and the Fighting Fantasy Legends Portal which featured a card-RPG take on some books, including Deathtrap Dungeon.
Deathtrap Dungeon will release later this year for PC, Mac, and Mobile devices. The release commemorates with the 35th anniversary of the book's original publication. There will also be a console release following in 2020.
What do you think of this announcement? Are you a fan of interactive digital fiction? Have you played any gamebooks in the past or PC versions of them? Let us know in the comments!
