Abstract: Providing and using a branching narrative content service can include receiving from a user device a request for branching narrative content including a first segment. A live manifest can be generated with time metadata, a first content segment identifier that identifies a first content segment of the first segment, and a second content segment identifier that identifies a second content segment of the first segment. The live manifest can be provided to the user device, the user device obtaining the first content segment and the second content segment using the content segment identifiers. The user device obtains a selection of a branch while the first segment is being played and an updated live manifest is generated with updated time metadata and a third content segment identifier. The user device obtains the third content segment using the third content segment identifier and plays the second segment at the user device.