Apple TV+ has announced the release of "Side Quest", a new spinoff series of the popular show Mythic Quest. The four-episode miniseries takes a fresh approach to storytelling, focusing on the lives of gamers and their connections to the game, rather than the game developers themselves. Co-creators Ashly Burch, John Howell Harris, and Katie McElhenney sat down with The Verge to discuss their vision for the show and what inspired them to explore this new angle.

According to Burch, the idea for Side Quest was born out of a desire to tell stories about the people who play Mythic Quest, rather than just the game's creators. "When we first started writing Mythic Quest, we talked about how these characters are sort of like gods who are creating this virtual world," Burch explained. "So if the people within Mythic Quest HQ are the gods, then Side Quest is about the mortals that are being affected by the choices of the gods."

The series kicks off with an episode centered around Phil Birch, the art director of Mythic Quest, as he tries to take a break from the game with his girlfriend. This episode serves as a "transitional landing pad" between Mythic Quest and Side Quest, showcasing Phil's struggles with being exploited by his colleagues and setting the tone for the rest of the series. Each episode of Side Quest introduces new characters, all with their own unique relationships to the game, from professional musicians who perform video game soundtracks to teenagers who log on to play together.

The co-creators drew inspiration from various sources, including classic machinima series like Red vs. Blue and the popularity of video game concerts. Harris noted that he was fascinated by the level of musicianship required to perform video game soundtracks in concert halls and theaters, and this fascination is reflected in the episode "Fugue". The season finale, "The Last Raid", takes viewers inside the world of Mythic Quest, showcasing how the game has evolved in response to changes behind the scenes.

One of the key goals of Side Quest was to leave viewers wondering about what's next for the world of Mythic Quest. The series drops hints about the game's future, but ultimately, the focus is on exploring new perspectives and tonal flexibility. McElhenney noted that the success of Mythic Quest's departure episodes gave them the creative freedom to experiment with different styles and approaches in Side Quest.

All four episodes of Side Quest are now available to stream on Apple TV+. With its unique approach to storytelling and exploration of the gaming world, Side Quest is sure to delight fans of Mythic Quest and gamers alike.

In a world where gaming has become an integral part of popular culture, Side Quest offers a fresh and exciting take on the genre. By shifting the focus from game developers to gamers themselves, the series provides a new lens through which to examine the impact of gaming on our lives. With its thought-provoking themes and engaging characters, Side Quest is a must-watch for anyone interested in the world of gaming and beyond.