Black Mirror's Thronglets Game Blends Adorable Chaos with Dystopian Themes

Black Mirror returns with a twist: Thronglets, a mobile game tie-in. Developed by Night School Studios, it offers a Tamagotchi-like experience with a dark edge. The game, linked to the episode 'Plaything,' challenges players to manage chaotic creatures, reflecting the show's exploration of technology's darker side. Premiering today, April 10, it blurs the lines between fiction and reality.

Black Mirror, the acclaimed Netflix series known for its tech-driven dystopian narratives, is returning with a unique twist: a mobile video game tie-in called Thronglets. This game, developed by Night School Studios, offers a Tamagotchi-like experience with a dark psychological edge. The game was unveiled alongside a sneak peek of Black Mirror's new season during a private event at the Game Developers Conference. Sean Krankel, cofounder of Night School Studios, describes the game as an 'artifact' from the show, allowing players to immerse themselves in its narrative.

Thronglets is inspired by the episode titled 'Plaything,' which pays homage to creator Charlie Brooker's past as a video game journalist. The episode features Will Poulter reprising his role as video game developer Colin Ritman. The game itself involves raising small creatures called thronglets, which quickly become a chaotic challenge as they multiply and remember when they are neglected. This concept mirrors the show's themes of technology's darker side.

Night School Studios, acquired by Netflix in 2021, has experience creating games within TV universes, having previously worked on a tie-in for USA Network's Mr. Robot. The studio was also developing a game connected to Netflix's Stranger Things before its publisher, Telltale Games, shut down.

The collaboration with Brooker was a dream for Krankel, who admired the interactive film Black Mirror: Bandersnatch. The film's design encouraged viewers to replay and explore different story paths, showcasing a sophisticated approach to interactive storytelling.

Thronglets, both in the show and as a real-life game, challenges players to manage the needs of these creatures, reflecting the show's exploration of technology's impact on life. The game and the episode 'Plaything' are intricately linked, with elements of the show influencing the game and vice versa.

Black Mirror's new season premieres today, April 10, offering fans a fresh blend of storytelling and interactive gaming. As players engage with Thronglets, they will experience the show's themes in a new, immersive way, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.