Steins;Gate, the popular video game, already has manga, anime, and novel adaptations. The game has had different spinoffs and side stories, including multiple games and a movie (Note to fans: the blu-ray version of the movie, coming in December, will have English subtitles). Now, Steins;Gate is getting a stage adaptation.
However, rather than just have a simple live-action version of the game, in order to spice things up, they're making the play interactive, letting the audience choose the outcome of the story.
Titled, Living ADV "Steins;Gate", the play has audience members send cellphone emails (much like in the original story) at specific points during the play. What the audience chooses will determine the "route" the story will take, making the play a multi-ending experience.
Having different audiences experience different endings is not necessarily a new idea. Back in 1985, the movie Clue famously had multiple endings. But in the case of Steins;Gate, the audience will apparently get to be an active participant, making their own choices and seeing the outcome, much like in the nature of the original text-based adventure game.
In order to partake, people are required to sign up for the automated "D-MAIL" service via the play's website, although specific details on exactly how this system will work have yet to be announced. From the looks of things, this feature may only apply to the final stage on the last day. Hopefully the people behind it have thought this whole thing out and prepared for any hiccups that might occur. I for one can only imagine the possible nightmare scenarios that could occur in a theater where everyone has their cellphones turned on..
Living ADV "Steins:Gate" will be performing from Octrober 12 to the 20th at the Zepp Diver City theater in Tokyo.
El Psy Congroo.
LIVING ADV 「STEINS;GATE （シュタインズ・ゲート）」 [LIVING ADV 「STEINS;GATE （シュタインズ・ゲート）」]