France-based Identifictions is planning to launch episodic video games, which take the form of weekly eps in streaming mode, at Identifictions.com on October 15.

The company calls its plans for the site a ‘revolutionary new borderline concept between video games and TV series.’ The content is intended to reach adults with irreverent and original eps that vary in length from 30-45 minutes.

When the site goes live, the first series available will be Aosphere, a sci-fi adventure. Two more original series will be available before 2009. The content will be available in French, English, German and Spanish (with subtitles in other European languages).

Each series will let players take on the identities of virtual characters, keeping to their underlying psychological traits. Players will be able to make irreversible decisions. ‘Contrary to traditional games, the aim is to reward not performance but the capacity to personify a fictional character,’ says Identifictions creative director Olivier Masclef.

Masclef continues: ‘Video games must be capable of rethinking their narration, formats and genres. They have to be capable of offering alternatives to established genres in the same way as American TV series have done by asserting themselves as an efficient counterweight to the movie industry. By taking the economic model of the series with short formats and attractive subjects available at definite dates and times, we are aiming at those who have turned their backs on playing video games due to lack of time or boredom.’