A transmedia project have to respect several promises:

• To know the fictional universe
• To respect the fictional universe
• To develop its leeway

Knowing the fictional universe

It may occur that the original material, the intellectual property (IP), is developed on one or more media. It is therefore necessary in all cases to do a research work. You will have to define what the basic elements necessary for the player’s immersion are. We must also create or install themes and / or typical images of the fictional universe.

A player / reader / viewer has to find "reasons" sufficiently clear and identifiable to switch automatically in the fictional universe, almost unconsciously. Knowing the clichés, strong visuals, and related topics is a requirement. Knowing deeply this universe allows you to play with its codes and, by extension, with its fans.

Respecting the universe

« It is difficult to imagine a Ford in Star Wars ...»

Working on an existing fictional universe, implies knowledge of the universe, and its corollary the respect of the original work. We must use the existing, juggling the context elements, inventions related to this universe, fauna and flora, and possibly recurrent figures and characters. But above all: respect his consistency, respect its integrity, its reality. Why ? Well simply because this is what the reader / player / viewer will expect.

A universe, even wacky, develops internal consistency. Betray this reality (even fictional) is to betray the trust agreement that unites the original work and its fans. It is extracting the reader / player / spectator from the universe. It is putting an A-Bomb in the hands of Smurfs. In other words, one should not pervert the original work without an interesting and coherent betterment.

Develop its leeway and insert a seed

It is on the other hand necessary to participate in the intellectual property by introducing new characters, locations, concepts, themes etc… For the vitality of the universe, designers can / must make a contribution to the transmedia universe. First, to avoid the stalemate then to bring a fresh perspective that often crosses what has been done and achieved previously.

A sequel, a focus on a secondary character, description of a detail of an event succinctly described in the original work. All these sources can lead to consistent and respectful transmedia productions.

This revival of a transmedia work also provides an update of words and thoughts in line with new themes. Similarly, the context evolves and changes, it is the same for the tastes and concerns of the public. The transmedia work, too, has the capacity to monitor these developments because it is the only one able to adapt by adding new content.

This last step is more complex, but it is probably because of its existence that studios continue to work to provide harmonious branching that are no more vulgar wooden legs.