When Coldplay announced their upcoming CD/DVD set Ghost Stories Live 2014, complete with music videos for nearly every Ghost Stories track, a clip for the studio version of "Ink" was noticeably absent. That's because you need a computer to play along as the band unveiled their "choose your own adventure" journey for the heartbreaking track.
In the beautifully animated "Ink" video, Chris Martin and company have constructed 300 different scenarios to watch their video, with the viewer cued when to make their experience-altering decisions. It all starts with a traveler being washed up on shore, and from the opening chords, the viewer decides whether to pick up a pocket knife, a compass or a paintbrush, with each choice leading down a path of different results as the man seeks out his lost love.
No matter which adventure you go on, "Ink" will eventually tie into the lyrics at key moments, like when a gaze through a telescope connects with Martin singing "I see your stars begin to shine," which then cues a choice between a pair of constellations. "Ink" was written, directed, and animated by Los Angeles agency Blind in collaboration with digital media company Interlude.
Ghost Stories Live 2014 was released November 24th. In addition to the CD that reconstructs Ghost Stories in order by culling performances from around the world, the DVD will house music videos and the full-length version of Coldplay's unique Sony Studios concert in a custom-built theatre.
