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Gabriel Knight and starvation wages at Pinkerton Road
Twenty-one years ago the world was introduced to the mysterious universe of Gabriel Knight from prolific games industry creative Jane Jensen. This month marks the celebration of that anniversary, with the release of the Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers remake – enhanced with new visuals, audio and, in some cases, tweaked to preserve the original game's intended emotional resonance. One sequence, in particular, stands out to Jensen, she tells me: the police station. In the original 1993 release, the scene plays out light and even campy: "When Gabriel goes to the police station and breaks into Mosely's office [...] in the game there was a puzzle sequence that had to do with cops and doughnuts and distracting them. It was all very silly," Jane Jensen admits. The sequence, she says, has been changed in Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers – 20th Anniversary Edition (one year late, but close enough), to better parallel Jensen's original novelization. "I wrote a book about Gabriel Knight, I mean I wrote it as a novel after I had written the game, and so there were a few things that I had put in the novel that were new that we ended up rolling back into the remake," Jensen adds. In the novel, the police station sequence was written to be "much scarier," and given the opportunity to better convey the story's suspenseful hooks with the remake, the sequence was changed to better mirror the novel. It was the first of a few tweaks made in Gabriel Knight's return.
Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Father remake lands October 15
Revisiting Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers on modern platforms will become much simpler on October 15, when developers Pinkerton Road Studio and Phoenix Online Studios release a remake celebrating the adventure's 20th anniversary. PC and Mac users can prove their point-and-click prowess by pre-ordering at Steam, Good Old Games and Phoenix's online store in exchange for a soundtrack and a 15 percent discount, leaving their total at $17. When the Sins of the Fathers remake was initially estimated for a mid-2014 arrival, iOS and Android ports were also mentioned, but release dates for mobile versions were absent from Pinkerton's press release. Purists may be comforted with a reminder that Pinkerton Road Studio was launched by Gabriel Knight series creator Jane Jensen. [Image: Pinkerton Road]
Moebius: Empire Rising review: Elementary, oh dear
Moebius: Empire Rising is a game about history repeating itself, asking the player to investigate a string of people whose lives mirror those of famous, important figures throughout history. It's fitting that the story itself plays like a knock-off of previously written characters and storylines – most notably Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series. The Holmes role is played by Malachi Rector, a highly intelligent antiques dealer-turned-investigator who makes it clear he doesn't want anyone to care about him; Dr. John Watson is filled in by David Walker, an ex-military man who puts up with Rector's snark in order to protect him; and Mrs. Hudson is Gretchen Stern, Rector's long-suffering assistant. Moebius plays out like bad fanfiction – the action sequences are dramatized to the point of absurdity, the characters are caricatures rather than believable human beings, and the story is predictable. Given the involvement of adventure game guru Jane Jensen, I expected Moebius to have sophisticated characters uncovering a mystery complete with adventure, thrills and, most of all, surprises. As it turns out, I've read better fanfiction.
Moebius: Empire Rising out April 15 from Phoenix Online Publishing
Pinkerton Road's crowdfunded point-and-click adventure game Moebius: Empire Rising will make its debut on April 15 for WIndows and Mac platforms via newly formed publisher Phoenix Online Publishing. Phoenix Online Publishing is the indie-focused publishing arm of Phoenix Online Studios, developer of Cognition and The Silver Lining. Moebius, indie RPG Quest for Infamy, horror adventure game The Last Door: Collector's Edition, and mobile puzzler Lost Civilization are the first games slated for release under Phoenix Online's new label, as additional projects for PC, mobile platforms, and consoles loom on the horizon. Revealed in 2012, Moebius was one of many point-and-click adventure games that turned to Kickstarter for funding, surpassing its goal of $300,000 and earning more than $435,000 in backer pledges. Developer Pinkerton Road also plans to produce a remake of designer Jane Jensen's Gabriel Knight later this year. [Image: Pinkerton Road]
Final Cognition episode hits September 19, series coming to Steam and GOG
Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller began in October 2012 as a four-episode series in which players investigate the murder of Scott Reed, the clairvoyant protagonist's brother. The game's final episode, called The Cain Killer, will launch September 19 for PC and Mac, Phoenix Online Studios announced. Additionally, once the fourth episode arrives, the whole series will finally launch on Steam and GOG.com. Cognition was Greenlit on Steam in June, thanks to over 25,000 votes by the community, according to the developer.
Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller launches episode 3, The Oracle
Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller, the Kickstarted adventure game from Phoenix Online Studios and Gabriel Knight writer Jane Jensen, is now on its third episode and things are really heating up. Watch the trailer and that line is funny, we promise. Well, funnier. Episode three is subtitled The Oracle, and it continues the tale of Erica, a psychic FBI agent, as she tracks down a serial killer. "Cognition's third episode picks up right where the last left off, with a body hurtling down the Enthon Towers' 33 stories to smash onto a parked police cruiser," the press release describes. Players are able to control Erica and the serial killer as the (gruesome) story unfolds. Cognition will have four parts in total, with the final called The Cain Killer. Grab The Oracle and any previous episodes via Phoenix Online – with sales live through tomorrow, May 17 at 3 p.m. ET – and if you like the series, vote for Cognition on Steam Greenlight.%Gallery-188646%
Thoughtful Bundle: Fieldrunners, Reckless Disregard for Gravity and more
Indie Royale's Thoughtful Bundle is live, and features five different PC and Mac games for a pay-the-minimum price, which is currently $5.46. Included in the bundle are Snapshot by Retro Affect, Cognition Episode 2: The Wise Monkey by Phoenix Online Studios, AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!! - A Reckless Disregard for Gravity by Dejobaan Games, Subatomic Studios' Fieldrunners and Snuggle Truck from Owlchemy Labs. Buyers that fork over at least $8 will also receive Night Animals, a chiptune album by Bright Primate.The Thoughtful Bundle will be available on Indie Royale's site until Saturday, March 23.
Debut Bundle debuts on Indie Royale with Cognition
Every new Indie Royale bundle comes with a theme. This time around, the six-game Debut Bundle features four "new games or versions debuting on PC," while two are the first games from their respective developers.Available now, the Debut Bundle includes episode one of Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller by Phoenix Online Studios, McDROID by Elefantopia; DarkWave Games' Master of Alchemy: Rise of the Mechanologists, CloudPhobia by Marsbound, Wimp: Who Stole My Pants? from FlexileStudio and 6180 the Moon from Turtle Cream and PokPoong Games.All six games can be purchased for the pay-the-minimum price, which started at $3.99, through Friday, March 15. Players that pick up the bundle for $8 will also receive the chiptune album Motorway by Fearofdark.
Explore the mysteries of Cognition in this new trailer
Now that Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller from indie dev Phoenix Online Studios has a publisher, it's time to get the promotion train going! Here's a new trailer for the adventure game's first episode, 'The Hangman.'
Jane Jensen and Silver Lining devs reveal new adventure game, Cognition
Here's some awesome news for adventure fans: Gabriel Knight creator Jane Jensen is working on another project, with King's Quest: The Silver Lining dev Phoenix Online Studios, along with Titan Quest developer Khaeon Gamestudio and comic artist Roman Molenaar! Even better news: Phoenix's new game won't use any IP that Activision owns! Cognition is an episodic detective adventure about an FBI agent who gains the power to see past events related to any object she touches. Agent Erica Reed uses these abilities – and, hopefully, some traditional investigative methods as well – to hunt down a serial killer, and attempt to solve the murder of her brother. It's coming to PC, with mobile and console versions "also under consideration." Phoenix plans to release four episodes of Cognition, but needs your help to fund development. It's set up a Kickstarter seeking $25,000 for initial development costs. As always, there are bonuses associated with various Kickstarter tears, not the least of which is this game actually happening.
Third episode of The Silver Lining out now
Phoenix Online has announced that the third episode of its Activision-sanctioned King's Quest game, The Silver Lining, has been released. Entitled "My Only Love Sprung from My Only Hate," the episode was delayed from its original January 29 date in order to add more polish to the project. Those who have already installed the first two episodes may download the third by itself, while those who are new to The Silver Lining can grab all three episodes in a single, free download. Note that users will have to register for the Phoenix Online fan club in order to download the episode. Check out a trailer for the third episode after the break.
King's Quest 3 fan remake announced, The Silver Lining episode 3 delayed
Two separate, but oddly parallel, developments in the world of King's Quest fan games were announced this week, in what must be the biggest week for King's Quest news in years. First, Phoenix Online announced a delay for the third episode of the officially Activision-blessed fan series, The Silver Lining, from January 29 to early February. In the announcement, the developer claimed that the episode, which is "more than twice the size of Episode 2," and which necessitated the hiring of 20 additional animators, needed extra polish. In other "third King's Quest game" news, AGD Interactive announced a fan remake of King's Quest 3: To Heir is Human, which it says it has been "covertly developing" over eight years. The planned release date? February!%Gallery-115161%
The Silver Lining Episode 2 launching September 18
Phoenix Online Studios has announced that the second episode of The Silver Lining, entitled The Two Households, will be available for download (for free) this Saturday, September 18. The second episode sees King Graham travel the Green Isles in search of ingredients for the spell to save his cursed children. It promises to be both longer and "beefier" than the first installment, and will also include some new interface improvements based on player feedback. Additionally, the new improvements will also be added to the first episode. Episode Two and the updated Episode One will both be available from The Silver Lining's website this Saturday. Check out a new trailer and some screenshots below.%Gallery-102188%
New Silver Lining chapter out in September, old King's Quest games on GoG now
Phoenix Online Studios announced that the second chapter of its Activision-approved(ish) free King's Quest game, The Silver Lining, will be released next month. In a post on the game's site, Phoenix's Cesar Bittar notes some of the improvements that have been made based on feedback from those who played the first game. Thanks to you, Episode 2: Two Households will have better pathfinding, the option to switch between "extended" and "short" narration, new walking animation (with a walk/run toggle), more subtitle options, and widescreen support. In terms of gameplay, there are 17 new locations, a roughly 4-hour-long quest, and "puzzles a-plenty to keep you entertained." If you want to catch up on this King's Quest business so you can understand why fans would go to the trouble of making a tribute game, GoG.com just added a King's Quest 1-3 bundle to its shop, for $9.99. You can get a pack with 4, 5, and 6 for the same price. We'll warn you now: these games look and sound quite vintage.
Phoenix Online Studios talks The Silver Lining, next project
You may have heard that The Silver Lining is back on track for a free release. Now read Big Download's interview with Phoenix Online Studios and learn how the project began and what the team has planned for the future, including its first original project, Corridor 9.
King's Quest fan project revived, coming July 10
After shutting down Phoenix Online Studios' lovingly crafted King's Quest fan project due to a licensing conflict back in February, it seems Activision has reconsidered its position. According to the indie developer's blog, Activision has rescinded its cease and desist, and has granted the studio a non-commercial license to release the game. On July 10, Phoenix will release Chapter One of its 3D tribute to Roberta Williams' beloved adventure franchise, titled The Silver Lining. Thanks to Activision's demands, the game will be released for free. Click past the jump to see the title's (re)announcement trailer, or check out our impressions of an early demo of the game we checked out earlier this year.
