For three seasons, the groundbreaking interactive science fiction series Artificial has continued to evolve in many ways. As a show that is completely built around artificial intelligence, it only makes sense for the team to continue to up the ante.
Creator Bernie Su won Emmy, Peabody, and Webby awards for each of the first three seasons of Artificial: Next. Season 3 stepped things up by using Life Score Music, which automatically changes the tone of the music in the series in reaction to the audience's comments. It also introduced new characters played by actors Dante Basco (Avatar: The Last Airbender, Hook) and Alejandra Reynoso (Castlevania).
It has been officially announced that Season 4 is premiering one week from today and stepping up to Artificial: Factions, again changing the game. Check out the announcement tweet and teaser below.
Bernie Su quickly retweeted the teaser along with a thread that explains what the series is and how it has advanced over the seasons. Bernie also broke down what additions are coming to Season 4, so we went ahead and quoted his tweets in one text thread below.
It's the 4th Season of Artificial! It is the spirit of the show to elevate the Scripted Storytelling Innovation each year! Here's a thread of why this season is more innovative than the Emmy, Peabody, and Webby-winning seasons before it:
Background: Artificial is a Live, interactive, scripted, serialized sci-fi show. From day one we've done the show LIVE, and we've built the audience in the show. Our motto is the "Audience is Consequential." Interactive does not necessarily mean consequential.
Season 3 (Artificial: Remote Intelligence): The third season let audience members create the characters that Alejandra Reynoso and Dante Basco played. The entire production was remote (yes, still live). We had an A.I. audience-controlled music, courtesy of LifeScore Music.
1st Innovation - The Faction system: This season, audience members will identify with a faction (think Harry Potter house) and that faction will have its own A.I. As a collective they will work to help their A.I. or hurt the other.
2nd Innovation - The Currency System: Only doable on Twitch. We have designed our story to use Channel Points as a currency system, allowing the audience to build their own personal influence or have more swing in community goals. This rewards loyal viewers with more power.
3rd Innovation - The Virtual Characters: We're fast becoming a VTuber world. This season the two A.I. characters will be virtual characters. They will still perform live and be interactive with the audience. The technology and live animation are insane.
What do you guys think of these advancements and changes to Artificial for Season 4? Anyone interested in the series should check out our brand new chat with the model, actress, and former Miss Asian America Jennifer Field (Swim), in which we discuss the character she plays in the show, Dr. Ruby.
Artificial Season 4 - Artificial Factions kicks off on Twitch in one week on September 9th.