Overview
Spindrix is the working title for a new and unique type of online entertainment. It has been under development conceptually in my spare time since April of 2004. Although I have tried various methods of getting the project off the ground since that time, it has been difficult to do so because of the unprecedented nature of the material. (Basically no one gets it!) Spindrix was ahead of its time in 2004 and still is now, but over the last few years social networking technologies and attitudes have changed. The world may now be ready for a completely new form of entertainment. Spindrix truly represents my vision of Web 3.0 – using the entire Internet as an entertainment delivery platform.
Spindrix is not entertainment in the traditional sense of the word, because it is not delivered on any specific media type. In other words it cannot be classified as television, movies, music, gaming, etc., but it is, in fact, all of these and more. Spindrix is an alternate reality that uses the entire internet and any of it's technologies as it's medium. The first rule of Spindrix is that there are no rules to Spindrix. Any web deliverable medium from any location is fair game for producing content in this alternate world. Spindrix is held together by concept, plot, storyline and, hopefully, an enthusiastic community. Spindrix is a BIG concept. It is big, because in theory it is a "show" that never ends, within an infrastructure and world that has no boundaries and expands indefinitely (but not uncontrollably).
To summerise, Spindrix is driven by plot, character, concept and storyline. The delivery and interaction mechanisms are there to support this in any way necessary, and from anywhere. Whatever is needed, is used, as long as it can be delivered on the web. This can even include other people's sites (with their permission of course) and other games or virtual worlds. While it's not actually a game, Spindrix involves interacting with sites and characters and having to make decisions about where to go and what to do. For this reason, amongst others, we shall hereafter refer to the Spindrix user as a "player".
The structure of Spindrix is based around a largely (but not completely) fictional world, represented by various websites that purport to be real. Characters are a mixture of real people, in real locations around the world, and fictional characters (played obviously by real people as well). Plot wise, it is a mixture of mystery, thriller, real science and science fiction. There is one central plot premise around which any (and I do mean ANY) number of subplots and characters can revolve, at virtually any distance. The central plot is such that it can fuel subplots and development for years. It is not important, for the purpose of this overview, to go into the plot details at this time.
Essentially Spindrix is a giant mystery involving characters, companies, secret organisations, conspiracies and lots of science, which the user must piece together by visiting the various sites and consuming the various media. Players interact with each other using any and all communications methods that fuel the web now and in the future. As the world is constantly growing, new mysteries and plots are always unfolding. Spindrix is "played" by entering it's world and becoming part of it, on a day to day basis.
If executed properly, the line between what is real and what is fiction should be blurry. Realism is the USP of Spindrix. The point is to create a world that is so real, characters that are so interesting and plots that are so compelling that players will regularly browse our alternate world as they do the real web, often wondering which is which. Non-players might visit Spindrix sites and not know that they are fictional.
There will be a method within the structure of Spindrix whereby fans can contribute official content in the form of sites, media and entire subplot strings. Official sites will be identifiable and distinguishable from fansites via a clever method (more on this elsewhere... eventually).
Although generally the playing experience would be free to all users (it IS the web, after all), there will be three opportunities for monetizing the project. Advertising of course is natural as the world revolves around websites, and eventually quite a few of them. Once Spindrix is established, there will also be subscription premium content. The premium content will be in the form of certain private sites and a standalone app that will allow the subscriber to interact more directly with characters (and each other) and have more influence over the plot. And finally, merchandising, which could be huge if the world expands as it should.
More specific details will be posted elsewhere on the project.
