As transmedia storytellers, one of our primary goals is to create an immersive experience for our audience, but what is that, and how do we do it?
In the context of telling a given story, you could say immersion is about minimizing the gap between the part of your mind that entertains fantasy and the part that experiences reality. It’s about creating a storytelling space where the audience feels they’ve momentarily inhabited the story. Â
There are many ways to achieve this, like engaging multiple senses, creating photorealistic 3D environments, or inspiring a meaningful connection to your characters. Different media provide different opportunities for immersion.
Achieving immersion through fictional podcasts.
The Unknown 9 narrative universe promises stories of mystery and the paranormal. It’s all about what exists in the shadows, what’s just out of sight. Â
There’s no more powerful tool for conjuring images of indescribable danger than your imagination. As storytellers in an audio-only medium, if we can use words and a soundscape effectively, the audience then mentally leans into the story, providing the visuals in their mind’s eye, effectively co-creating the immersion with us.
How transmedia extends immersive storytelling experiences.
That’s the end of the story for most scripted fictional podcasts. But Out of Sight is part of Unknown 9’s fictional transmedia universe,which presents us with even more opportunities to create immersion.
By offering interconnected stories in multiple formats, audiences can hang out in our universe more often. For instance, a true fan might play Unknown 9: Awakening during their free time in the evening and listen to the Unknown 9: Out of Sight podcast while exercising. They could even read the Genesis Trilogy on their commute to work! Â
Taken together, these stories immerse you in different complementary aspects of the narrative universe, giving it depth and a life of its own in your imagination. And then, just like that, you realize that you too Believe in the Unknown.
Reflector’s Unknown 9: Out of Sightpodcast
Written by Jessica Kincaid and released in March 2020, Reflector’s fictional podcast, Unknown 9: Out of Sight,is part of the larger Unknown 9 universe that brings this all-new entertainment franchise to life across multiple platforms, including comic books, novels, a video game, and more. Â
Season 1 of the scripted audio drama follows Blake Elrich (Jorge Cordova), an urban explorer with a haunted past, as he travels the country in an old RV with co-host and producer Lazari (Reyna de Courcy). At every stop along their journey, our duo encounters an inexplicable occurrence. What’s more, they’re beginning to suspect that someone is leading them to each strange case. Events intensify when an enigmatic figure emerges, terrorizing whole communities. Blake and Lazari must now race to undo the damage that’s already been done and prevent a terrifying force from emerging.
All nine episodes of the Out of Sight podcast are available for listeners on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Youtube. Â
What the team behind Out of Sight has to say:
1. How different was it to work on a podcast compared to other media?
Each medium has its own set of challenges and rewards. When thinking of the podcast medium, the most different aspect is really how to embrace the audio format and make the narrative feel like it can only be told through a podcast. We believe the creatives developing the series have delivered on that experience to the point where an adapted version of Out of Sight wouldn’t be anywhere near the same.
2. What was the most exciting part about hearing the episodes coming to life?
Whenever you can give an actual voice to a character who has only existed in text, it’s exciting. Hearing Blake and Lazari come to life, how Jorge and Reyna really owned these characters, it’s really something special.
3. How did you cast the actors?
In addition to using conventional casting channels, our production partners tapped into their wide network of regular collaborators. The rapport that a lot of the performers came into the studio with is part of the magic that you hear as the podcast’s story unfolds.
4. Where does Out of Sight fall within the narrative universe’s overall story?
Without getting into too much detail (spoilers) Out of Sight is firmly rooted in the modern-day events of the Unknown 9 universe. There’s no specific order you need to consume the stories in, so whenever you stumble upon the adventures of Blake and Lazari is the right time to be listening to them. BUT it is important to listen to the series in order, starting at Episode 1.
5. What is the deal with Lazari?
You’ll have to listen to the podcast to find out. All questions will ultimately be answered. Or will they?
6. What can you say about what’s next for the investigative duo?
As storytellers, we don’t want to spoil anything. All we can say is that their RV has been spotted around town, which means they’re likely to return to the airwaves with more tales of the impossible soon!
We are thrilled to unveil our new logo, which marks an important milestone in the evolution of our studio. It is with great pride that we present this new visual symbol that embodies our identity, our vision, our commitment to our core values, and our affiliation with the Bandai Namco group.
The process of creating this logo was filled with reflection, inspiration, and creativity. It’s an evolution of the previous one and represents the incorporation of Reflector Entertainment as an integral part of the larger Bandai Namco family.
The original wheel (or Möbius strip) representing the gateway to our slogan, “Jump into our world,” has now become a spiral ring.
The solid and full left part refers to the Reflectorians, a group of passionate individuals with different yet complementary areas of expertise. This part has been thickened compared to the old logo, reflecting the experience acquired over time.
The right part, on the other hand, relates to the transmedia expertise brought by our team of dedicated professionals, which is essential to ensure the successful development of an intellectual property (IP). The spirals are now in color, with a scheme similar to that of Bandai Namco.
“It was important to showcase the studio’s evolution over the past years and reflect the significant milestones achieved since its inception,” explained Pascal Hamelin, Art Director (and Reflectorian since the studio’s launch) and the designer behind the new brand image. “This logo is closely tied to Bandai Namco, highlighting our collaborative work with the group and our shared values.”
Indeed, the four vibrant colors of blue, green, yellow, and pink also represent the diversity that is of paramount importance to Bandai Namco and Reflector. By creating unique and entertaining products and services that connect people and communities, we are working to create a better future for all through entertainment.
This new logo reflects our evolution as a company, as well as our continued commitment to shaping the future of entertainment. It symbolizes our ability to innovate, adapt, and remain creative in a constantly changing world, while upholding the values that define us.
Following June’s graduation gala, Reflector unveils a behind-the-scenes documentary diving into the creation of the environmentally-themed video game.
Today, Reflector Entertainment presents a behind-the-scenes look at the production of Lorekheim: Rise of a Fallen World, a video game created by eight students from ISART Digital Montreal’s Class of 2022, as part of their graduation project.
For the third year in a row, Reflector teamed up with ISART Digital—the international graduate school specialising in video game design and development—as part of its annual mentorship program to support the students in delivering their end-of-year graduation projects. In previous years, Reflector staff have acted as a mentors for the games Blossom and Palaka—the latter developed to address the needs of neurodivergent people—an important cause for the students, the studio, and the teaching staff.
This year’s goal was to provide a gaming experience that would raise awareness about the fight to save the environment and prove that video games can be both educational and entertaining. To accomplish this, many Reflectorians from various departments volunteered to assist the group in the production of their game.
“Reflector Entertainment is proud to support the creation of video games through its partnership with ISART Digital School: said Christopher Cimbaro, technical and artistic director at Reflector and mentor to the team. “We are committed to training the next generation of the video game and entertainment industry in developing as well as participating in important societal causes and issues.“
A theme with societal value
Like last year, Reflector decided to challenge the students. The idea of touching on the environmental cause immediately resonated with them as well as the educational team.
“As part of its educational mission, ISART Digital defends ethical values, but also societal values, whether in the choice of themes imposed on certain group projects, or in the context of its daily teaching, said Azad Lusbaronian, director of ISART Digital. We believe that our students will be better professionals if they are enlightened on subjects of collective interest. In this sense, the partnership with Reflector helps fuel our students’ thinking on topics that ultimately affect us all.”
In Lorekheim: Rise of a Fallen World, the player takes on the role of a guardian of nature whose goal is to restore the vital balance of the world of Lorekheim by purifying a corrupted antagonist that is endangering it. As in our reality, the player must responsibly invest the resources he draws from nature or risk corrupting his environment.
“We’re really proud of the work our team has done. It’s a subject that we immediately liked, that affects us every day, and that we don’t fully appreciate” said Joanna Bendaoud, who focused on the art direction aspects in the student group. “We are truly grateful for the guidance and support of Reflector Entertainment in making this important project possible.”
Insights and support from local experts
Reflector enlisted the help of trusted specialists to better equip students with basic environmental knowledge, ensuring that every element included in the game was accurate and true.
“It is an important signal to see these young people, who are part of this industry, take an interest in environmental issues, explained Hugue Asselin. We were able to set up a customized training program, offering specific guidelines that could be useful in their professional life, which is about to begin.”
The AQPERE team was in charge of the follow-up during the production of the game to ensure that the information presented to the players was sound.
Lorekheim: Rise of a Fallen World is available on the itch platform.
For the third year in a row, Reflector Entertainment has partnered with ISART Digital—a private institute that trains students for careers in video games, teaching them 3D-FX animation, music, and sound design—as part of its annual mentorship program.
This type of program provides students with unique opportunities to expand their knowledge and skillets as they prepare to carve out future careers in the video game industry. It also connects them with professionals in the field before they graduate.
Looking back on two years of collaboration
In 2019, Montreal’s ISART Digital and our studio teamed up for the first time to create an end-of-year graduation project called Blossom, which was imagined and developed by six students (one of which joined the Reflector team following graduation!). For our 2020 mentorship initiative with ISART Digital, we chose to focus on a more inclusive gaming experience, which saw a team of eight students embark on the development of Palaka, a video game adapted for a neurodivergent audience, specifically those with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
This year, Reflector’s mentors are once again supporting a team of ISART students in the development of Fallen Worlds. The team, composed of eight talented students, was given a theme: the environment, resource management, and the climate crisis we are currently facing.
This year’s mentorship program focus: the environment
We believe that video games can help raise awareness about social and environmental issues. They are powerful educational tools that go beyond entertainment, which is why Reflector considers it important to educate the industry’s next generation on societal issues in the hopes of creating leaders of change.
The goal of this project, in addition to supporting the next generation of game creators, is to reflect on our actions, to educate, and to encourage progressive thinking as we try to minimise the impact of climate change. As such, we drew on local experts to help support the students in their research and development.
What’s more, a Montreal-based video production team was their to document the adventure in the most eco-friendly way possible, showcasing the entire game creation process.
Join us this Summer to discover more about the complete project!
As part of its strategy to build Western development capabilities, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe S.A.S. (BNEE) today announces that subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including applicable Canadian regulatory approvals, they will acquire Reflector Entertainment Ltd. and its subsidiary Reflector Interactive Productions Ltd. from Lune Rouge Innovation Inc. This acquisition furthers BNEE’s content strategy aimed at developing 50% of its content outside of Japan.
“Designing and developing the content we shall publish and distribute is the cornerstone of our strategy,” commented Arnaud Muller, COO of BNEE. “The creative vision and development capacity of Reflector Entertainment will boost BNEE’s ability to craft breathtaking experiences over the years. We look forward to working with such a skilled team, and to welcome them to the BNE family.”
This first strategic move in the incredible Montreal developer community highlights the implementation of Bandai Namco Entertainment’s Mid-term Plan, which aims at strengthening regional headquarters’ autonomy for a greater expansion in global markets.
Founded in 2016 by Alexandre Amancio and Lune Rouge, Reflector is focused on building Storyworlds that people can interact with across a variety of media, including video games, novels, podcasts, movies, and much more.
Its Unknown 9 franchise is being nurtured by the company’s 120 talented employees, which include industry veterans behind some of the best AAA video games coming from Canadian studios. So far, the first book in a novel trilogy written by bestselling author Layton Green, podcast episodes, an issue of the comic book series, and most recently, the teaser for the highly-anticipated Unknown 9: Awakening video game have been revealed to the public.
“The reach to worldwide audiences and the endless entertainment possibilities offered by the synergies with BNEE and the rest of the Group will provide a great long-term perspective for the team, here in Montreal,” commented Alexandre Amancio.
“We believe this acquisition will enable Reflector Entertainment to deepen its transmedia vision to build amazing journeys, while expanding on the work already done on the Unknown 9 franchise and other projects,” said Robert Blain, President of Lune Rouge. “BNEE has an amazing team in place and their skills and knowledge of the industry will guarantee Reflector Entertainment a brilliant future.”
Reflector Entertainment has unveiled the teaser trailer for the studio’s first video game, Unknown 9: Awakening. The game represents the tentpole of a much larger content ecosystem that is being built around the ambitious Unknown 9 Storyworld. The studio is inviting everyone to delve into the world of Unknown 9, with a first look at the new teaser trailer for the video game.
Driven by a seasoned and diverse development team, the Reflector studio has created a brand-new Storyworld that they’re officially revealing today. The team unveils Unknown 9: Awakening, a 3rd person narrative-driven action-adventure game, with a first look at its protagonist, Haroona, and a glimpse into her Fold abilities.
Raised on the streets of Kolkata, India, and haunted by visions of her own death, Haroona struggles to understand her mysterious innate abilities to manipulate the unseen. A mentor soon helps Haroona hone her gifts, teaches her to access a mysterious hidden dimension known as The Fold, and propels her on a journey to unlock the mysteries of this new realm.
“Unknown 9: Awakening is Reflector’s first game. It’s a passion project being undertaken by a small team of industry veterans that want to do things differently,” says Alexandre Amancio, CEO at Reflector Entertainment. “Our game features a complex heroine that must come to terms with who she is. The game is set in the Unknown 9 universe, a modern Storyworld that centres on humanity being on the edge of either transcendence or self-destruction.”
The broader Unknown 9 universe features interconnected media and content offerings with intersecting characters and storylines that form a rich and immersive Storyworld, including a mystery-thriller novel by bestselling author Layton Green entitled Unknown 9: Genesis, an original podcast called Unknown 9: Out of Sight, and a comic book, Unknown 9: Torment. These offerings are all standalone products, but when experienced as a whole, they form a broader narrative and lead to a greater appreciation of the mysterious Unknown 9 universe.
In anticipation of the game’s release, fans can delve into the Unknown 9 Storyworld by visiting unknown9.com, where they can participate in Unknown 9: Chapters, an interactive, community-driven experience, created by Montreal studio Alice & Smith, that lets fans decipher mysteries of the Unknown 9 universe. They will also gain access to parts of the novel, podcast, & comic book for free for a limited time.
