Entertainment News

Westworld launches an eerie voice game for Alexa devices

Jordin Althaus/HBO; Amazon

JAMES HIBBERD  

It was probably only a matter of time: Westworld is invading your Amazon Echo with an interactive game that totally won’t turn your handy personal assistant into a vengeful murder-bot — at least, that’s what HBO and Amazon want you to believe.


HBO is launching Westworld: The Maze an elaborate “choose your own adventure” style game that you can play on Alexa-enabled devices starting right now (or watch the creepy trailer below).

To begin, tell your Alexa device: “Alexa … open Westworld” and then … well, we’re not entirely sure what happens next, so proceed at your own risk.

But we’re told this is one of the most ambitious games ever made for such devices. Users are guided through three levels of gameplay with over 60 storylines and 400 unique choices riddled with questions about the Westworld universe for more than two potential hours of unique gameplay. You play as a host, but if you make the wrong choices you “die” (so, yes, your Alexa gets to kill you, sort of). 

More detail from the press release: “The game takes about 20 minutes to complete for those cunning enough to stay alive that long. Each moment of the game was designed with purpose, much like the show itself. Within the game’s detailed sound design and scripted interactions, anything could be a clue. It will take a true superfan to find the center of The Maze.”

Storylines include a group of bandits riding through the streets of Sweetwater, a close-call with a Confederado in Pariah and a hungry family of homesteaders in Python Pass. HBO passed along some cryptic first-time player hints like, “If you make it to the saloon, show Kissy, the blackjack dealer some respect” and “If you meet the barmaid, remind her how to get rid of those nightmares by counting backwards from 3.”

“Voice is the next frontier of interactive storytelling, with a powerful ability as a marketing tool to deepen engagement with our fanbases,” Sabrina Caluori, senior vice president, HBO digital and social marketing. “We’re excited to launch our first Voice initiative as a Westworld story extension that we hope will surprise and delight our viewers.”

And hey, here’s a trailer which includes the voice command to launch the game — so if you watch this, make sure your Alexa can’t hear the audio unless you want Bernard to take over your shopping list and weather forecast:

The Westworld finale airs this Sunday.