Audible is giving audiobook listeners a new way to step inside their favorite stories.

The Amazon-owned audiobook platform has introduced three new features that use artificial intelligence to make selected listening experiences more interactive. The new tools, called Character Guide, Interactive Story and Visual Explorer, are rolling out in a limited beta for customers in the United States and United Kingdom.

The move gives listeners more than a traditional play button. Depending on the title, they can keep track of characters, interact with a fictional character or explore additional visual information connected to the story.

Audible Lets Listeners Talk With Story Characters

The most unusual addition is Interactive Story, which allows listeners to have a real-time conversation with a character from an audiobook.

The first experience is connected to Audible’s new production of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Listeners can interact with Renfield, Dracula’s troubled servant, in a bonus experience that takes place outside the original audiobook narrative.

Renfield begins the experience by giving the listener a role, a goal and stakes within the story. The listener can then respond in their own words, with the character reacting in real time.

Audible says the experience combines generative AI, conversational design and sound production. The company also says creators establish the foundation of each interactive experience, including the opening scenes, major turning points and character persona.

Character Guide Helps Listeners Keep Track of the Cast

Audible is also addressing one of the common challenges of listening to a story with a large cast.

Character Guide identifies who is speaking in real time on the audiobook player. It also provides spoiler-free character cards with information about the characters and the performers behind their voices. Narrator headshots and biographies are included as part of the experience.

The feature launched October 1 with Audible’s production of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. It is also available with Audible’s production of George Orwell’s 1984.

Audible says a future update will allow listeners to ask questions about the production as the story unfolds.

Visual Explorer Adds More to the Listening Experience

The third feature, Visual Explorer, is designed to add visual context while someone listens.

Audible says the feature can surface relevant images at key moments in a story. Depending on the title, listeners could see a map, an image connected to an important scene or additional information about places and people mentioned during the audiobook.

One example involves The Cultural Tutor’s Grand Tour: The Story of Europe in Six Cities. Audible says listeners can explore additional imagery and information connected to landmarks, historical figures and locations featured in the program.

Visual Explorer is listed as coming soon as Audible continues developing the experience.

More Audiobooks Could Get the New Features

The rollout is starting with a small number of titles rather than the entire Audible catalog.

Audible says its Character Guide will also be included with the upcoming Audible Original Exoplanet, written by Benjamin Percy and executive produced by Andy Weir. The title is scheduled for release November 5.

An Interactive Story set in the world of Exoplanet is also planned for November 5.

That gives Audible a path to expand the technology into additional original productions while keeping the interactive elements connected to the stories and characters created by their authors.

Audible Says Creators Help Shape the Experience

The company says its new features are being developed in collaboration with creators and publishers.

That is particularly important for Interactive Stories. Rather than allowing an AI system to freely invent an entirely separate version of a character, creators establish the foundations of the experience. Audible says its product design is intended to keep the additional interaction faithful to the creator’s vision.

The approach gives authors and other creators a greater role in determining how their fictional worlds are presented through the new technology.

The New Features Are Still in Beta

For now, the three features are not available across Audible’s full catalog.

Audible says Character Guide, Interactive Story and Visual Explorer are rolling out as a limited beta for customers in the U.S. and U.K. The company plans to refine the experiences based on feedback from customers and creators.

That means availability can vary by title and by the stage of the rollout.

Audiobooks Are Becoming More Interactive

Audible’s latest update shows how audiobook platforms are experimenting with ways to make listening more interactive without replacing the original storytelling format.

Character Guide focuses on helping listeners follow the cast. Interactive Story adds a conversational experience around a fictional world. Visual Explorer brings additional imagery and context to selected listening moments.

Together, the features give Audible a new way to connect traditional audio storytelling with AI and interactive media.

For U.S. audiobook fans, the biggest change may be the ability to do something that has never been part of a conventional audiobook experience: talk back to a character and receive a response in real time.