Technology continues to advance in leaps and bounds, and the video game industry diligently follows in its footsteps. From simple pixel and polygon graphics of the past to awe-inspiring realistic reimaginations of modern surroundings, much has changed since the dawn of video games. While the innovation in the industry remains ubiquitously present, it is often hard for the general public to keep up to date on subtle transitions. One such company endorsing a uniquely interactive blend of viewership and gameplay has recently announced an upcoming installment to the critically-acclaimed The Walking Dead franchise entitled Last Mile.

With the help of the artistic genius of Pipeworks Studio and the ahead-of-its-time team that forged Genvid Technologies, Skybound Entertainment will be debuting The Walking Dead: Last Mile on Facebook this summer. Fans of the resurrected Telltale Games and The Walking Dead comics will have a lot to look forward to, as the upcoming game will stay true to the series' art style and offer a brand-new setting that will send literal chills up players' spines. Set in Alaska, Last Mile will be addressed like a new, full-fledged entry in The Walking Dead universe, but most importantly, the game will be a MILE.

RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: The Walking Dead: Clementine Finally Answers How the Amish Handled the Zombie Apocalypse

For those unfamiliar with the term, MILE stands for "Massively Interactive Live Event," which happens to be a new form of entertainment in which Genvid Technologies specializes. In short, MILE is based on cloud services and interactive broadcast streams, which allow viewers to experience its content on any connected and video-supported device. Aside from ensuring that developers have the opportunity to cater to wider audiences, MILE also expands on the accessibility of the game-based stream. In this case, The Walking Dead fans will only need a Facebook account and a browser to participate in the upcoming Last Mile event.

Concept art depicting a location in the upcoming The Walking Dead: Last Mile game, courtesy of Skybound Entertainment.

Unlike traditional gameplay aspects structured around taking control of a character from a first-person or third-person perspective, The Walking Dead: Last Mile will offer a vastly different experience. Its events will constantly unfold for several months while the implemented AI will help the characters lead their day-to-day lives. Whether players decide to influence them or casually observe the goings-on without getting involved, the ant-like farm will continue through the storyline, though the arc will not be set in stone.

RELATED: The Walking Dead’s Lauren Cohan Breaks Down the ‘Visceral’ Mid-Season Finale

While the viewers' involvement is by all accounts voluntary, it will help shape Last Mile's environment and have a real-time impact on its story. Alternate narrative branches will change as soon as a communal decision has been made, and characters will correspondingly live to see another day or draw their last breath. This interactive formula will also apply to player-created entities, as they are just as susceptible to the whims of the collective fate.

Image of a character model featured in the upcoming The Walking Dead: Last Mile game, courtesy of Skybound Entertainment.

Another thing to keep in mind when it comes to MILEs is that any decisions made throughout the event are permanent and cannot be rolled back. Even though players will be allowed to create a new character whenever their former one departs, they cannot bring back the deceased members of the community at any point. Active engagement with Last Mile will provide participants with in-game currency exchangeable for bids on various rewards, including a walk-on role that will land a lucky few in the cinematics of the series.

RELATED: TellTale Games' The Wolf Among Us 2 Trailer, News & Latest Updates

By and large, fans of The Walking Dead franchise eager to explore the harsh conditions of the remote Alaskan coast and its effects on zombies can tune into Last Mile whenever they see fit. Staying in the know regarding the unfolding of events will not present an issue. A wrap-up show set to air regularly will let the viewers in on relevant segments that happened while they were absent.

For a franchise that has had its fingers in a number of different mediums, The Walking Dead: Last Mile will be a uniquely rewarding experience for all parties involved. It promises never-before-seen threats plaguing the desolate wintry regions, agency over the potential outcome and the opportunity to witness the technological advancements through an unlikely merge of Facebook Gaming and Facebook Watch. This is a strong batch of motivators to engage with this upcoming MILE when it launches.