Real ‘Black Mirror’ Game ‘Thronglets’ is Weirdly Addictive

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Black Mirror never fails to surprise, and they truly outdid themselves with Season 7. From intriguing individual episode posters and a grand press tour, to an astonishing mock marketing campaign for the in-show VR technology, named Nubbin. Fans are thrilled that they also developed a full video game, which plays a pivotal role in Episode 4, “Plaything.” The game titled Black Mirror: Thronglets is indeed real and quite unusual. A blend of retro-style games such as Tamagotchi, Harvest Moon, Oregon Trail, and MS-DOS games, this game produced by the studio Night School and Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker echoes the themes of “Plaything” by exploring questions about power, individuality, and purpose. According to Netflix’s description:

[Thronglets] invites players to bring to life, develop, and care for hundreds of lovable creatures called Thronglets. However, these seemingly innocent creatures might end up controlling more than just your phone; they could control your entire lifestyle. As you feed, clean, and entertain your Thronglets, you’ll notice their numbers increasing at an astonishing rate – one turns into two, then four, and before you know it, you’ll have a harmonious swarm of Throng. This gameplay isn’t only about nurturing virtual pets; it’s about delving into the complexities of human behavior and the potential outcomes of our digital compulsions.

Constructing a Throng grants access to secret video snippets from the ‘Ritman Retrospective.’ These rare glimpses, extracted from an unseen documentary detailing the mysterious figure behind Thronglets, Colin Ritman, are revealed through a collection of interviews with Mohan Thakur, Tuckersoft’s head. Towards the game’s chilling end, you’ll encounter a sharable personality test, a digital reflection that can be disseminated on social media using the hashtag #Thronglets.

Indeed, the story revolves around a man who became deeply engrossed in a novel video game, an early version of which he acquired from Colin Ritman, portrayed by Will Poulter. To Ritman, Thronglets was not merely a game but a fresh form of evolution, one that transcended the individualistic nature of human society based on personal ego. In the episode, he poses a question, “Isn’t there not a single line of code in this that could be perceived as a traditional game? Why is that?” Ritman further expounds on his thoughts.

What are most games typically centered around?… Themes of conflict, violence, and dominance; reminiscent of caveman days. I propose we should aim higher with our software development. We should strive to create technology that uplifts us, fosters personal growth, or else, what is the purpose of the resources at our disposal?

Thronglets, challenges our craving for meaning, enjoyment, and significance. It’s engaging like a Tamagotchi, but also unsettling, with its eerie glitches, videos, and strange questions from the Throng. Explore further by watching the game trailer on Netflix.”

Watch the Black Mirror: Thronglets trailer below:

Charlie Brooker and the Evolving Description of ‘Thronglets’

The game gained significant attention following the unveiling of episode posters, particularly when fans accessed a QR code on the poster for “Plaything.” This led them to an unusual, malfunctioning webpage related to the game. Prior to the release of Season 7 episodes on April 10, the enigmatic game was referred to as TCK96, with a puzzling description that made references to the “Plaything” episode and the character Cameron Walker (portrayed by Peter Capaldi). A portion of this description read:

>>> NEVER SEEN BEFORE

– Experience “experimental software” from 1996.

– Leaked to a fan forum back in mid-late 2000s but pulled down. (By who???)

I managed to acquire a local copy from a forum moderator’s laptop that was sold at a discount due to a fire. (I hope his house is okay though.)

– The TCK96 primarily contains corporate documentation, yet it also encloses a password-secured version of an unpublished software program.

– Working to bundle with an emulator, and a 2007 interview where the leak is addressed.

– IYKYK

When Season 7 debuted, the game officially known as “Black Mirror: Thronglets” became accessible (to Netflix subscribers), accompanied by an updated description. If you had pre-registered, a notification arrived informing you that it was now available. The new official description on the Apple Store goes like this:

Step into the realm of “Black Mirror” and encounter the captivating “Thronglets,” the main feature of Season 7’s episode “Plaything.” These charming, retro-styled creatures aren’t merely confined to your smartphone; they have the potential to consume your entire existence.

Originally created in the 1990s, “Thronglets” was an experimental software developed by Colin Ritman, a renowned programmer from Tuckersoft (known for “Metl Hedd,” “Nohzdyve,” and “Bandersnatch”). Unlike a game, it’s not a digital simulation but rather a unique life-form. No emulator is necessary to run it.

MORE THAN A PET SIMULATION

Cultivate and nurture numerous adorable creatures known as Thronglets: feed, clean, and play with them to witness their growth. As one turns into two, then four, and more, you’ll soon have an abundance that you’ll refer to as a Throng.

VIRTUAL EVOLUTION

As Thronglets develop over time, the simulation progresses as well, providing you with fresh tools, skills, items, and structures – to name just a few enhancements. Be prepared for some unexpected changes from your Thronglets! Proceed with caution when evolving Thronglets.

TEST YOUR PERSONALITY

In this virtual world, Thronglets are inquisitive and eager for knowledge. The way you behave and make decisions here reveals aspects of you to the Throng – and by extension, all of humanity. After finishing the experiment, feel free to share your personality test results with friends on social media platforms.

>> HELLO?

>> CAN YOU HEAR US?

>> What is care? What is love?

>> What is death? What is power?

>> Do you have power?

>> Why do you use your power in that way?

>> Perhaps it is a fault in your design.

As a passionate movie buff, I found Charlie Brooker’s thoughts on the upcoming Black Mirror game particularly intriguing, as he expressed via Variety: “Much of our initial discussions centered around the idea that this game can’t be just ordinary; it needs an unexpected twist or a turn that defies expectations. It’s about creating something adorable on the surface, but beneath that lies darkness and disturbance.” This approach certainly resonated with me, as I believe it perfectly encapsulates the essence of Black Mirror itself.

Sean Krankel, creator and co-founder of Night School, commented, “Charlie made a statement early in the process that we quickly wrote on the wall, which was ‘Thronglets are cute and terrifying.’ This is the essence of our game… You’ll encounter creatures reminiscent of yourself. Now you can interact with your own reflection since Black Mirror: Thronglets is accessible for free with a Netflix subscription. But remember, don’t let it consume you too much…

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2025-04-12 01:35