Submitted by Mike Grenville on Sun, 12 Feb 2006 22:21

New Zealand’s No 1. soap Shortland Street goes mobile as fans compete for a role on the popular show in a new text game.

Shortland Street is medical drama about the lives and loves of the doctors, nurses, staff and patients of Shortland Street hospital

The Shorty St Txt game is being launched to coincide with Shortland Street’s historic civil union when Maia (Anna Jullienne) and Jay (Jaime Passier-Armstrong) tie the knot this Valentines Day. The game tests fans knowledge of the show and gives them a sneak peak into upcoming storylines.

Quiz questions relating to the current episode are sent to a fan’s mobile about half an hour before each night’s episode. Correct answers earn points and points earn limited edition Shortland Street merchandise each week . After the show all players receive a text with the correct answer, their points and ranking compared to other players. Each question costs players 99c.

At the end of March the player with the highest score wins a guided tour of the South Pacific studios, an opportunity to mingle with the Shortland Street cast and plus a walk on part!

The Shorty St Txt game was developed by Actv8 Mobile, a New Zealand based interactive media company (in conjunction with Shortland Street’s production company South Pacific Pictures Limited)

“The Shorty St Txt game is about fans getting more enjoyment out of their favorite soap as well as the chance to star on the show. The game already uses full color images for devices that support this and we are hoping to extend the game into streaming video. Our focus is to apply this successful format to other TV shows over the coming year.” says Actv8 Director, David Wright.