The latest installment of MTV’s Road Rules not only marks the return of the show since being on hiatus in 2004, it also introduces an interactive element. Dubbed Viewers Revenge, this edition of Road Rules lets viewers have some control over the cast. The show will not be pre-recorded as in past seasons, but rather use a “near real-time” format, similar to Big Brother. The other difference from past seasons is that the cast will compete in challenges based in California, rather than traveling on a road trip, due to the new format.

The challenge begins with six previous Road Rules’ contestants: Abram (Road Rules South Seas), Adam (Road Rules 10: The Quest), Shane (Road Rules Campus Crawl), Kina (Road Rules Xtreme), Susie (Road Rules Australia), and Veronica (Road Rules Semester at Sea). After each week’s mission, the cast will nominate a male and female castmate for elimination. Viewers will make the decision about who will compete in a face-off that is shown on the roadrules.mtv.com website. Viewers will also vote a challenger for the face-off from an online roster called “The Pit Crew.” Each Pit Crew member will have videos, blogs, and other other background information. If the Pit Crew member wins the challenge, they return to the RV and the loser then joins the Pit Crew lineup, where they can potentially get back in the game. If the initial Road Ruler wins, they keep their spot in the RV. Confused yet?

Look for a Road Rules: Viewers Revenge special on January 23rd at 10 p.m. The new season starts on January 30th at 9 p.m.