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Tapping into the future

London – The Frequency Effect immerses users in a visual-first novel that brings the reading experience to life.

Set in 2020, the narrative evokes a dystopian future in which a global corporate cover-up is seeing people drugged and left for dead
The soundtrack, by London-based group The Split Lives, blurs the line between fiction and reality

The Frequency Effect by James Stark, UK

Highlighting the technology addiction suffered by many in our ‘screenwalking society’, The Frequency Effect follows the story of protagonist Ben Cordell, who discovers that technology devices are resonating on the same frequency as brain waves, which allows people to control them with their minds.

The story is divided into a variety of interactive elements, including a virtual reality (VR) component that enables readers to experience Cordell waking up in a mental hospital at the beginning of the narrative, as well as allowing readers to explore the specially constructed websites of the brands that feature in the story.

‘This is quite simply the most disruptive development in novel-writing to date. Moving with the times, and bringing in fan participation, it has the potential to do for novels what Star Wars did for movies,’ says James Stark, author and creator.

The Big PIcture

Brands are updating the reading experience by combining the written word with elements such as virtual reality in order to captivate their audience. For more, see our Virtual Reality Market report.