We are PlayNook
We made our choices, go and make yours.
We are PlayNook
We’re PlayNook: a team of gamers, authors, nerds, women, men, cats, dogs, aliens, enthusiasts of gaming, of meaningful content, of stories, of speech, of the value language itself, and of research focused on sounds and words.
Play is one of the most ancient things human beings do: we were playing way before we learned how to write. It is also a fundamental way of learning to live, of practicing the world, and of understanding how actions and consequences work. Playing together comes right after, and it teaches us to connect, interact, and be part of something. Besides, it helps us pursue an objective, put effort into achieving it and to coordinate with other people with the same goal.
Equally deep roots lie in the oral tradition, as a means of communication, the transmission of values, and storytelling. Sound is at the heart of what we do, it is the oldest and most direct way to tell stories and to make choices. Our approach is audio-first in everything that we do.
We started from the gamebook, and turned it into something digital and accessible, especially for visually impaired people. Today we call it AudioGame: interactive audio books, where you can choose-your-own-adventure through sound. Tomorrow it will become a total and collective experience.
We create games that are accessible by design, made to be played by everyone. It is not exclusive and it won’t exclude anyone.
Speak, friend, and enter
Audio has qualities that go far beyond what can be seen: what a person can imagine while listening will always be a unique expression of their imagination, without ever growing old.
We believe that the immersive power of sound and voice can transport people to an intimate, unique, and personal space, where the power of their imagination and their own choices is reconquered.
We want to do our part so that humanity can improve and rediscover a sense of introspection.
Choose and perish
At the heart of everything we do, there’s something that goes beyond our stories: we strongly believe that the most important thing that we have is the ability to make decisions about our life, according to our own beliefs, conscience and with our own voice. In a world where this ability may be at risk, we want to create a safe space where you can experience your free will, make your own choices with your own voice, and pick your own adventure. Safe means that you can take any decision you want and get it wrong, with nobody judging you. There’s no right or wrong path to follow, but many possible roads: yours is the only one that matters.
It's dangerous to go alone!
Talent -in all its forms- is the lifeblood of what we do, as a key element in the creation, production, and development of high-value content.
Authors, game designers, sound engineers, musicians, developers, voice actors: they are the people who transform an idea into a world you can experience. Our place of work is a creative environment where talent can thrive and find the best way to express itself.
Pitch perfect
We are committed to creating beautiful, aesthetic and meaningful things.
Come up to the lab
We believe in technology, as a fundamental enabler that allows us to accelerate the growth of talent and the value associated with it.
We are convinced of the value of technological innovation, both developed in-house or adopted from third parties. R&D is and will always be a cornerstone of our strategy, since progress and technology are key drivers for the advancement of humanity and for making content more accessible to everyone.
Welcome to our house!
Enter freely. Go safely, and leave something of the happiness you bring.
Our approach to creativity is open by default, and it embraces diversity and inclusion in terms of people, perspectives, backgrounds, methods, technology, errors, and openness.
We believe in inclusion, in celebrating diversity (understood as new, sometimes unconventional, and certainly innovative ideas) and in transforming these ideas into ever-new ways of interacting, respecting without bias based on gender, sex, ethnicity or background.
We firmly believe that this approach creates a virtuous cycle among people: the very heart of PlayNook. Let’s embrace the courage to experiment, to make mistakes, and let’s nurture the creative process, even through our mistakes and every failed attempt.
Anyone can cook
Accessibility was the starting point for PlayNook: we wanted to create an alternative to the standard gaming concept for users with visual impairments. Then we realized that accessibility means many other things: it is a matter of place, time, geography, language.
We approach it with games that can be played by anyone, and building them on technology that adapts to people's needs.
Cards on the table
At PlayNook, we believe in radical transparency, which must be upheld in our interpersonal working relationships and in the way we communicate with our people, our customers, our community, our investors and stakeholders.
We want to change how people play
Our mission is to create a new era of gaming where sound is the main resource, breaking down barriers and making interactive entertainment more accessible and immersive for everyone.
We want to change the world of entertainment, creating inclusive and unforgettable experiences through the endless possibilities of sound.
We are a team of nerds, brought together by our shared passion for stories, sound and games. With a diverse range of backgrounds and expertise in different fields, we form a dynamic and talented team that is united by one common goal: change the way people play through sound.
Why it matters
In a world overloaded with visual content, we offer something radically different: the freedom to play without screens. We believe storytelling should be accessible to everyone, regardless of who you are.
PlayNook is made for people who don’t necessarily have access to screens. For parents who want to connect with their children through stories. For commuters looking for more than just background noise. For people who love to explore fictional worlds but don’t always have time to sit down and play.
Everyone deserves to be part of great stories. With PlayNook, they get to live them.
Our community
At PlayNook, players actively shape what we build. Every choice, reaction, and suggestion feeds directly into the evolution of our stories. We involve the community at every stage, inviting them to test early chapters, vote on story developments, and even creating and publishing their own AudioGames.
Our community is designed as a space for creation and collaboration. AudioGames grow through this exchange, fueled by passion and the joy of co-creating something original together.
AudioGames for Everyone
Audio-first 💫
We place sound at the heart of everything we do, from user experience and internal processes to our value proposition and competitive edge.
We imagine a new form of entertainment, where immersive sound and interaction are at the center of the gaming experience.
Creativity and technology 🚀
We bet on sound and voice-based human-computer interaction to build a new category of game models that allow everyone to immerse themselves in stories of all kinds.
We see creative thinking as a key competitive advantage, combined with tech and innovation: tools to express bold ideas and build unique experiences.
Accessibility 🌎
We put experience first and we believe in the power of sound. That’s why we focus on what people can hear and say.
Players can have access to a new form of accessible gaming, designed to create immersive and inclusive experiences for everyone, anywhere.