Zuiker: It Was Visually Marvelous

See Also: 'Down the Rabbit Hole' Episode Guide

CSI creator Anthony Zuiker jumped at the chance to take CSI: New York into the digital realm.

"My job is to bring as many people to television as possible, but also to do things that are promotable and young," Zuiker told The New York Times. "That's where my bones are." In the fourth season of New York, Zuiker is taking the show to a new level: cyberspace. In "Down the Rabbit Hole", airing October 24, the New York team will be delving into the internet phenomenon known as Second Life.

When Zuiker first saw the Second Life world, he thought that it was "visually marvelous." Computer animators had to create the "machinima" (which means cinema created with a machine) that would represent the Second Life world on CSI: NY, and Zuiker had advice to guide them. "My mantra was: Make sure it's 'Sgt. Pepper,'" he said. "Make sure the level of detail is such that when a viewer sees it, it will look like a whole other world. Willy Wonka with a CSI: NY vibe."

Zuiker wanted to make sure that the Second Life experience didn't end when the episode was over. Instead, fans will be able to visit the official CBS website to pick one of twelve avatars and play special online games that will tie-in with "Down the Rabbit Hole". The first level of participation will allow fans to take virtual tours of New York buildings and play simple games such as facial recognition. The second level, which is more difficult, is a game called "Murder by Zuiker", where fans search for clues in a virtual murder scene and try to explain the murder that took place. Zuiker will rank the top 100 explanations and the winner will get "a virtual gift for his or her avatar."

The third level of the online experience will allow fans to continue the storyline that is started in "Down the Rabbit Hole". Zuiker said that the episode will end on a cliffhanger, and the case will not be solved until an episode in February. In this level, the fans become CSIs and are given a field kit and the chance to interview suspects. However, Zuiker said that the fans will not be able to solve the case early. "If I did that," he said, "I'd be punishing my viewers for no reason. What I want to do is keep the spirit of the brand and the story line alive in Second Life."

The original article can be read at The New York Times website. You can also watch a video clip from the episode here.

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