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Paul is Dead. Interactive
Fiction on the
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PAUL IS DEAD. AGAIN. In a story that is almost as compelling as the murder mystery on which it's based, the web site titled Paul is Dead (www.paulisdead.com) has been shut down. Despite an impressive array of backers, including Microsoft and MGM Interactive, the site has been shut down at least three times since its initial launch. The challenge appears to be in convincing its supporters to back an unconventional approach to telling conventional linear stories. Though many examples of literature in a text-only format do exist on the web, they require the reader to scroll through screen after screen of retina-cooking text. Paul is Dead took a different approach to storytelling, one that hasn' t been duplicated since. Paul is Dead has been either on the web or on hiatus since 1996. Rather than relying solely on words to convey the story, users had to click on images to reveal information. Upon entering the site, you would have been introduced to Linda, a writer for a leading national rock magazine. Linda was researching the mysterious death of Paul Lomo, the lead singer of a new wave band in the early 1980s. Animated images led you though the story of the band, its members, and its rise and fall from stardom. Click on the correct image, and you could have read reviews of Paul's' records or heard the music. Click on band members, and you could have received information from each of their perspectives. Linda's research notes provided clues to people around the band, and also led you to the letters she received from a fan who believed he knew the real truth behind Paul's death. Ironically, the problem with the Paul is Dead site lies in the technology that makes it possible. The site was graphics-heavy, making it a tedious process to download at a time when 28.8 modems were the norm. Additional plugins were required, as were proper sound and video cards. In 1996, internet use was booming, but was still nowhere near the levels seen today. At the time, its backers weren't convinced that enough eyeballs would wait for the downloads to make the site economically viable, so the site would be shut down. However, in the spirit of "interpeneurship", other backers would be found and the site would be reestablished, only to be shut down again. And again. What made this site appear attractive to each ensuing group of backers was the story. In its day, for those with the latest hardware and all the plugins, the story and the manner in which it was conveyed was a thoroughly enjoyable, well-written and well-crafted interactive experience. Like any good mystery, there were enough plot twists, intriguing revelations and interesting characters to keep the user clicking through. Like a conventional book, the user had the option to save their location at the end of each 'chapter;' making it easy to return later. Or, just as many users would do with a book in hand, you could quickly skip through the story and get right to the end to find out whodunnit.
Source list Image from www.salon1999.com/21st/reviews/1998/07/29review.html; an archived review of the Paul is Dead site on Salom.com
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