PlayNook at Lucca, Elba Comics and Ludicomix

AudioGames are usually played alone with headphones. At festivals we wanted to find out what happens when a crowd plays together. Here is a look back at our last three events, from Lucca Comics & Games 2024 to Ludicomix 2025.

Lucca Comics & Games 2024: Lapis in Fabula

For Lucca Comics & Games we created Lapis in Fabula, an audio gamebook made in collaboration with the festival. It was written by Roan Johnson, narrated by actor Stefano Fresi, with cover art by Paolo Cioni. The story follows Olmo, a boy from the Graian Alps who finds a mysterious stone and is pulled into a journey that leads all the way to Lucca, between giant wolves, witches and alchemy.

In October 2024 we also opened an experimental booth with Silent System wireless headphones. Visitors could play AudioGames side by side, in the middle of the festival noise, each one isolated in the story.

Elba Comics 2025: a partnership with Silent System

After Lucca, we started a long-term partnership with Silent System, the Italian company specialised in wireless headphone experiences. At Elba Comics 2025 we brought the AudioGame booth back, again with Silent System headphones.

Ludicomix 2025: a live AudioGame

At Ludicomix, from May 31 to June 2 2025, we were in the Fantasy Park with our booth and Silent System headphones. On Saturday we tried something new: a live AudioGame show of Conducting Masters, hosted by Silvia Fossati, where the audience made the choices and rolled the dice together in real time.

Why short stories work at events

At a festival people move between stands, so we bring stories of five to fifteen minutes, like Karma Man or The Exploder: long enough to feel the format, short enough to finish before the next appointment.

Want to bring AudioGames to your festival, school or library? Write to info@playnook.games.