Navigating Transmedia Landscapes: The Mutual Impact of the Arcane Series and League of Legends on Audience Engagement

Sammanfattning: This research investigates the impact of transmedia storytelling through a case study of Arcane, a Netflix TV show set in the League of Legends universe. Grounded in the combination of transmedia storytelling theory, audience engagement theory and reception theory, we utilised semi-structured interviews to probe and understand viewer perceptions. Participants, composed of Arcane viewers who have played the League of Legends game and those who have not, provided wide-ranging insights. Findings reveal that not only previous experiences with the League of Legends universe affected participants’ engagement and reception of Arcane, but also that Arcane enriched the audience's perception of the League of Legends. This enhancement stemmed from the show's in-depth storytelling and character development, amplifying viewer understanding and emotional connection. These results highlight transmedia storytelling's potential to shape audience perceptions, offering vital cues for gaming and television content creators.