HBO Max

An AI-powered, gamified storytelling system enabling audiences to explore endless narrative outcomes within their favorite shows.

Industry

Industry: Entertainment • Tech • Ai • Ui

Role
Senior Product Designer • Concent Design • Innovation
TIMELINE
2020-2022

Objective

Designed an experimental HBO Max feature that uses AI/LLM logic to deliver branching narratives and replayable, gamified outcomes—encouraging deeper engagement through personalized story routes. I created the end-to-end experience map, core UI system, and prototyping logic to validate usability, clarity, and delight.

The Challenge

HBO Max explored new ways to extend premium storytelling beyond traditional, linear viewing—without compromising narrative integrity, production quality, or brand authority.
01
indentify
Making interactive choice feel meaningful, not gimmicky.
02
Brand
Designing systems that scale across different genres and shows.
03
Adjust
Introducing advanced technology without increasing cognitive load.

The Strategy

The Strategy: The experience was designed around an LLM-driven AI system that dynamically generated branching narrative paths, transforming passive viewing into an interactive, game-like experience.
01
OBVERSE
A proven methodology for transforming complex challenges into clear, confident decisions.
02
DISCOVER
Designing a narrative framework powered by large language models to generate story variations Introducing gamification mechanics that encouraged exploration, replayability, and curiosity
03
EMPATHIZE
Creating intuitive choice interfaces that preserved cinematic pacing
04
VALIDATE
Enabling near-endless narrative outcomes while maintaining editorial control and tone
05
DEPLOY
The system allowed audiences to engage with stories actively—unlocking alternate paths, character decisions, and outcomes shaped by their choices.

Impact & Outcome

Established a scalable AI-driven storytelling framework that reimagines streaming as an interactive, replayable narrative experience.

WHAT I WOULD DO.

Introduce adaptive personalization layers, allowing the AI system to evolve storylines based on viewing behavior, emotional cues, and long-term audience engagement patterns.

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* Ingredients: Strategy, Design, Accessibility, Motion, Build-ready Execution.
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