I don't think CYOA videos on YouTube are really a new thing - I've seen one or two attempts - but I think this is the first time I've seen anyone pull off an interactive movie on YouTube that actually makes me think of a proper CYOA:

http://www.youtube.com/user/chadmattandrob

The five movies so far (The Time Machine, The Birthday Party, The Teleporter, The Murder, and The Treasure Hunt) are shorter than your average CYOA, but the production values are excellent and there's actually a decent path structure for most of these - although logic doesn't ALWAYS come into play. (Also, the makers were smart enough to allow you to back up to try again if you screw up.)

I actually wasted a lot of time to see all the ways I could die, because our heroes aren't exactly the brightest crayons in the box - and they're occasionally asking for it. (Well, Rob usually is  Taunting aliens that can flash-fry you? Not smart.)

I recommend "The Murder" as it's got the most extensive pathing - haven't played through "The Treasure Hunt" yet because it just went up two days ago.

I'd say these are PG or PG-13 primarily for all the ways to die.

Check it out! (And if these have been linked before, sorry - didn't find it in a search.)

Hi all -

This is a bit of a delayed newbie post since I've been here over a month, but I'm really stuck on my first story.

In trying to work out the mechanics of the story pathing, I think I've lost my interest in the story itself. (Except for one part involving escaped chickens in a physics lab, but that's loosely based on a true story and I haven't even gotten to the physics lab yet.) At this point I'm tempted to toss it and start over.

Any tips on actually trying to come up with a story you can stick with? Do you outline the story first and then figure out the pathing? Or do you just start with a premise and see where it takes you?