The gaming industry generates hundreds of billions of dollars each year, yet millions of potential players remain locked out. According to the World Health Organization, over one billion people worldwide live with some form of disability, and a significant portion of them are gamers or would-be gamers who simply cannot access most mainstream titles. The conversation around accessible gaming has grown louder in recent years, but the solutions often feel like afterthoughts: subtitles bolted on after development, colorblind modes added as patches, button remapping tucked away in settings menus. What if accessibility were built into the foundation of how games work? What if the primary interface itself were inherently inclusive?

The way we consume entertainment has shifted dramatically over the past decade. Podcasts now compete with Netflix for our attention during commutes. Audiobooks have grown into a $7 billion industry. Voice assistants handle everything from grocery lists to controlling smart homes. Yet gaming, somehow, remained stubbornly tethered to screens.

Until now.

The audio entertainment industry has exploded in recent years. According to Statista, the global audio streaming market is projected to reach over $35 billion by 2027. Podcasts dominate commutes, audiobooks fill gym sessions, and voice-first experiences are reshaping how we consume content. Yet something has been missing from this audio revolution: interactivity.

The entertainment industry is undergoing a profound transformation. As screen fatigue becomes an increasingly documented phenomenon and audio content consumption reaches unprecedented levels, a new category is emerging at the intersection of gaming, storytelling, and sound design: AudioGames.

This Black Friday, PlayNook brings back four of its most iconic adventures — reimagined, remastered, and reborn through sound.

Some say Friday the 17th brings misfortune. We say it brings awakening.

Tonight, PlayNook opens the doors to its Month of Fear, a full month of sound-driven horror experiences — and the first to rise from the shadows is “After the Light: Into the Darkness.”

When The Light struck Earth, the world didn’t burn. It was consumed by revelation — or madness. The sky fractured, and most of humanity was transformed into something new: beings ruled by hunger, stripped of reason, haunted by echoes of who they once were.

You are one of them.

Darkness falls… and PlayNook celebrates it with three new terrifying AudioGames.
This October, the sound of fear echoes through our stories.Get ready to listen, play, and survive.

In the first chapter of Elder Mythos AudioGame, “Cthulhu | Lovecraft Country 1922”, you’ll descend into the depths of R’lyeh and witness the awakening of Cthulhu, the Great Dreamer. You’ll follow intersecting fates — professors, detectives, cultists, and lost souls — across the haunted lands of Arkham, Providence, and beyond.
Every choice matters, and every whisper may lead you closer to madness… or revelation.

My Bonny My Lassie is a choose-your-own-adventure designed focused on sound. Players navigate pirate mutinies, dangerous seas, and forbidden love through 360° audio, branching choices, and voice interactivity.

PlayNook is proud to announce its return to Ludicomix 2025, an exciting event for comics, cosplay, board games, role-playing and much more, from May 31 to June 2.

This is not just another game booth. This is the next generation of storytelling, where games become alive through sound. Step into our AudioGame world at the Fantasy Park, where fiction meets interaction and sound becomes reality.

At PlayNook, we don’t just imagine new ways to play. We design experiences that resonate—literally. Our mission has always been clear: to change the world of gaming through the power of audio-first interaction. In 2025, this vision takes on new dimensions, thanks to a strategic partnership with Silent System, Italy’s leader in high-fidelity, immersive sound.

We’re proud to announce our recent collaboration with Scuola Holden, Italy’s premier storytelling academy. Together, we launched an Open Call that invited students to explore the world of AudioGames — and to help shape it from the inside.

PlayNook’s "For Kids" Month brings a collection of family-friendly AudioGames designed for kids and parents to enjoy together. Featuring interactive storytelling, these games blend the best of audiobooks, stories and RPG adventures. With new releases including Offside Life, Conducting Masters, and Pet Therapy, players can experience exciting narratives, make choices, and immerse themselves in engaging stories. Whether exploring a football rivalry, leading an orchestra, or navigating a superhero’s fate, PlayNook offers a unique way to play and learn.

We’ve been working behind the scenes to bring you an even better, more immersive, and interactive experience. Whether you’re a commuter, a parent looking for family-friendly content, or an audio adventure enthusiast, this update is for you!

AudioGames are opening new possibilities in the world of gaming by creating engaging experiences that do not rely on vision. This type of audio game offers an interactive narrative entirely based on sound, utilizing immersive sound technology to deeply involve players in a unique and innovative way. While traditional video games often focus on graphics and visual interaction, AudioGames represent a revolution in accessibility, allowing even those with visual impairments to enjoy rich gaming experiences.

Gaming is not just about fun; it has a positive impact on many aspects of our lives, including memory, reflection, and mood. While games are often seen as a form of light entertainment, there are numerous cognitive and psychological benefits that can come from playing. In particular, AudioGames, which rely on audio game mechanics and immersive sound, offer unique advantages. This article will explore how gaming, especially AudioGames, can improve memory, stimulate creativity, and contribute to better mental well-being, especially for commuters.

Those who spend a lot of time on public transportation know how important it is to find ways to pass the time. Commuters have specific needs: they look for content that’s accessible, brief, and engaging without requiring constant visual interaction. AudioGames, audio-based games, and gamebooks are emerging as ideal solutions, offering immersive audio experiences that let players enjoy the journey without staring at a screen, with the added benefit of being easy to pause and resume.

We are thrilled to announce the release of PlayNook's new audio gamebook, "Lapis in Fabula", created in collaboration with Lucca Comics & Games. This innovative audio gamebook, written by Roan Johnson and narrated by actor Stefano Fresi, offers a unique immersive sound experience, featuring cover art by Paolo Cioni.

Stefano De Vivo, CEO of PlayNook, is from the southern Italian city of Bari, but he has lived in Milan for a long time. He is only 28 years old but already has a lot of artistic and creative experience: after training as a jazz guitarist, he toured Italy, then worked in record, theater and audio/video media productions before finally landing at PlayNook. In this interview he talks about why AudioGames are a real revolution and tells us more about himself.