New One Studio announced that Road to Empress, an interactive video drama, is coming to Steam, iOS and Google play.
You can role-play the only female emperor in Chinese history, Wu Zetian, in the upcoming Road to Empress, an interactive full-motion video (FMV) drama from New One Studio.
This follow-up to the top-selling The Invisible Guardian is coming to Steam, iOS, and Google Play soon. New One Studio, including BAFTA-winning producer Demi Guan, welcomes viewers to a new interactive FMV challenge – survive the palace – in a dramatic piece of historical fiction.
In this interactive FMV drama, viewers are challenged to navigate a semi-historical interpretation of the treacherous and opulent Tang Dynasty. Filmed in Ultra HD 4K, viewers will enter the imperial palace and experience stunning visuals and authentic period detail, including collectible artifacts.
Road to Empress is a “choose-your-own-adventure” drama, where you watch, then make choices as prompted during key moments. Interacting with Road to Empress involves just a simple click or tap, yet surviving and conquering this palace requires good decision-making and savvy intellect.
“Wu Zetian is an inspirational and iconic figure as a powerful symbol of Chinese womanhood and we wanted to showcase her journey to a global audience,” Demi Guan, New One Studio and Road to Empress producer said. “And while her story has been adapted many times, we wanted to create an interactive, immersive experience in Road to Empress, which will help others better see why her story resonates through the centuries.”
In Road to Empress, viewers will:
Live the Legend: Experience the rise of Wu Zetian from a low-ranking court figure to become the Empress of China in a story inspired by true historical events.
Survive Treachery and Intrigue: Navigate a deadly palace featuring dozens of story paths including more than 100 ways to die.
Romance Their Way to the Throne: Defy norms to protect forbidden love and shape your story through interactive, time-sensitive actions and strategic decision-making.
Learn Personality Insights: Unlock a personalized psychological profile based on decisions through the adventure, developed in collaboration with Beijing Normal University.
Enjoy Cultural Authenticity: Developed with input from a renowned Chinese cultural scholar to ensure historical depth and accuracy, Road to Empress offers a fictionalized tale set in a historically inspired environment.
Road to Empress is a global project, offering an opportunity around the world to learn more about an important moment in ancient Chinese history. It will launch with subtitles and menu prompts localized to English, Japanese, Korean and Thai, as well as the native Simplified and Traditional Chinese. Intended to captivate fans of historical dramas and interactive storytelling alike, viewers can now Wishlist on Steam, pre-register on the App Store or Google Play, or visit the official website to learn more.
New One Studio is an independent, creative team focused on crafting full-motion video (FMV) experiences that blend Eastern culture with interactive storytelling, achieving its goal of creating immersive experiences that cross cultural boundaries.
Its first title, The Invisible Guardian, received BAFTA honors in 2019 as it connected with millions through its non-linear narrative and deep exploration of moral choices. The studio’s latest project, Road to Empress, is set in the majestic Tang Dynasty, combining historical research with artistic imagination and choice-driven storytelling.