Another celebrity-based mobile game is here from Pocket Gems. This time, Demi Lovato, singer, actress and The X Factor judge, gets the treatment with on storytelling platform Episode, with Demi Lovato: Path To Fame. Released today, we got to talk to Jameel Khalfan, who oversees IP partnerships at Pocket Gems, about how involved the star was in the creation of the game and plans to engage players in-game.
Obviously games like Kim Kardashian: Hollywood have produced big numbers on the mobile front. What makes a game like Demi Lovato: Path To Fame stand out from the pack?
With all the momentum behind Hollywood games recently, it will soon be the norm for popular celebrities to have a game. To stand out in that crowd, we think you need make something deeply entertaining that’s also very relevant to the celebrity or IP.
Demi’s app will stand out because of its strong focus on story and how authentic it is to Demi. She was deeply involved in the development process from the very beginning.
How closely did Demi work with Pocket Gems and Episode on the game Did she make suggestions for particular art styles or song inclusions?
Everything you see in this app has Demi’s fingerprints on it. Demi was involved in the app’s creation, from the concept to the final product. She guided us on things like what they story premise should be, how the dialogue should feel, what the outfits should look like and what songs should be featured.
What do you think it is about this type of game that “hooks” players Is it the connection with the star involved, or just living the lifestyle that’s offered?
If you look at the modern relationship between celebrities and fans, it’s all about deeper connections. Fans want to know what their favorite celebrities are doing all the time through platforms like Instagram and Twitter. Mobile apps are a natural extension of that. With Demi’s app, her fans will get the experience of going on tour with Demi and hanging out with her, with the opportunity to make choices along the way that makes each fan’s experience unique. That’s a powerful thing.
What kind of sacrifices do players have to face in order to move ahead with their career Does this lead to additional story paths?
Throughout the game, the player is offered a multitude of choices where there’s no clear right answer. Should you jam with musicians on a tour bus or attend a glitzy hotel party Do you care more about having lots of fans or being true to your music All these choices have different story paths that will affect the player experience.
