BLACK MIRROR
School project created for Netflix, this digital ZAT (Temporary Artistic Zone) takes the form of an interactive escape game. By simulating the messaging interface of the character Colin Ritman, the interface invites users to explore his messages and solve mini-games to unlock passwords. At the end of the experience, successfully completing the game gives access to the exclusive teaser for the new season of Black Mirror.
A dystopian series questioning the excesses of modern technology, Black Mirror is the thread running through this digital ZAT. We designed this immersive, interactive web space to plunge users into the heart of the show's universe and promote the launch of its eighth season.
The ZAT
Our ZAT is a website replicating the messaging system of one of the show's characters, Colin Ritman, a coding genius and video game creator. Netflix shares the URL of this site via social media.
Users have two weeks to take advantage of this leaked link to gather clues about the upcoming season.
Who is Colin?
Colin Ritman is one of the only characters in Black Mirror to appear in two different episodes of the series. First in the interactive episode Bandersnatch, then in Episode 4, Plaything, of Season 7.
This character is a programmer at Tuckersoft, a fictional video game company. He is charismatic, enigmatic, and passionate about theories of free will and parallel realities.
Dual interface
Users will have access to two versions of the site. The front end, featuring an 80s-inspired design that is sleek and attractive to ensure accessibility for all.
And a second interface, the back end, darker, with the graphic codes of developer sites. Coding typography, pixels, black background, and bright colors.
Thus emphasizing Colin's interest in parallel universes. This dual interface reinforces the sense of curiosity and attraction to the universe of the series, but also for people unfamiliar with Black Mirror.
It also highlights the ambivalence between the series and the entertainment giant.
The investigation
Anyone who clicks the link can navigate through the different pages and gather clues that will lead to the following conclusion:
Colin Ritman returns in a third episode of Season 8 of Black Mirror with a brand-new video game concept.
People discover the ZAT from a connected device, computer, or phone. They are the ones clicking this link. The ZAT is not forced upon them.
This process sparks users' curiosity, making them want to solve the investigation, find easter eggs, and discover clues about the (upcoming) series.
This ZAT ends two weeks after the link is leaked by Netflix. And marks the launch and availability of the new episodes. The site will subsequently be archived.
