Visit the Ironworks Gaming Website Email the Webmaster Graphics Library Rules and Regulations Help Support Ironworks Forum with a Donation to Keep us Online - We rely totally on Donations from members Donation goal Meter

Ironworks Gaming Radio

Ironworks Gaming Forum

Go Back   Ironworks Gaming Forum > Ironworks Gaming Forums > General Discussion > General Conversation Archives (11/2000 - 01/2005)

 
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 07-17-2004, 10:49 AM   #1
Harkoliar
Jack Burton
 

Join Date: March 21, 2001
Location: Philippines, but now Harbor City Sydney
Age: 40
Posts: 5,556
A whole new perspective of online gameing detective.

based on CNN.com


Quote:
Find 'Missing' clues on Web sites, e-mail

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Missing: Since January" is a fresh adventure that uses the Internet and e-mail to make some of its game play more realistic and intriguing

When playing the game, which loads from CD-ROM, you assume the role of an investigator who has been charged with unraveling the disappearance of photojournalist Jack Lorski and female companion Karen while the pair was researching a string of serial killings.

The only lead you have is some video footage sent to Lorski's employer, SKL Network, by The Phoenix, the mysterious murderer who holds the key to finding the missing journalists.

After analyzing the video, you must gather more clues by cracking word puzzles, analyzing video clips, scouring more than 300 actual and fictitious Web sites and by following instructions sent in e-mail messages from virtual characters, including The Phoenix himself.

Receiving and reading e-mail and surfing the Net takes place outside of the game, using your own e-mail address and Web browser. While this helps immerse you in the game, it also means you'll need an Internet connection to play.

Illusion of 'outside' help
As an example, someone by the name of Kristin Lark will e-mail you early in the game. She writes: "I'm a history major at Indiana University. I'm currently on a study trip in France. I got your address from SKL Network and they offered me the chance of being your partner on the Jack Lorski case. The guy who made the CD is just so wacko! He's also got a thing for the esoteric. That's handy because that's what I'm majoring in! Check out my site -- www.salemwitchmystery.com -- and you'll see what I mean."

Virtual characters, such as Kristin, won't write back if you attempt to e-mail them, but the illusion of help "outside" the game is effective. The clues, such as those found on Kristin's Web site, will help solve The Phoenix's increasingly tough riddles, shed light on the motives behind the murders he commits and eventually will help you locate the kidnapped couple.

SKL's Web site is also an integral part of the game as it provides tools such as a Google search engine, a language translator and a notepad so players can jot down assorted clues.

Its disturbing videos -- which appear to be inspired by films such as "The Blair Witch Project" and "Seven" -- make a lasting impression. The actors' performances are convincing, and the moody music adds to the suspense.

All puzzles are not equal
When it comes to the game's puzzles, some are better than others. Challenges such as dragging video snippets into chronological sequence proved more enjoyable than the arcadelike tests cooked up by The Phoenix.

"Missing" isn't an easy mystery to solve, so players may consider downloading a free walk-through of the game, available at Web sites such as GameBoomers (www.gameboomers.com). Look for the game under its European title, "In Memoriam."

If "Missing" sounds familiar, that's because it's reminiscent of "Majestic," an online serial adventure from Electronic Arts. "Majestic" tried to immerse players by calling their cell phones and faxing them at home or work with cryptic clues. "Majestic," which required a monthly subscription to play, didn't find an audience and was eventually pulled.

"Missing"'s use of real-world technologies, such as e-mail, isn't nearly as ambitious as "Majestic"'s, and "Missing" doesn't have a monthly subscription, so it might succeed where its predecessor didn't.

Overall, this innovative blend of documents, puzzles, video clips, Web sites and e-mail messages makes for an eerily fascinating and unique game concept.
This actually makes use of emails and websites to play around in. How cool is that. Its like "Reality Gaming". Have any of you people heard of this?
__________________

Catch me if you can..
Harkoliar is offline  
Old 07-17-2004, 10:59 AM   #2
LS0158
Zhentarim Guard
 

Join Date: November 11, 2002
Location: North Carolina
Age: 65
Posts: 351
I think I heard of a mystery game that would call you and give you clues, as if the game was real, and someone was giving you clues as they found them. You could set it so you wouldn't get a call at 3 AM, which sounded helpful. Never heard anything else about it after I read about it. This could be it, if they changed the phone calls to emails.

I prefer everything to be in the game, and I wouldn't want to look through a list of 300 websites and find out which ones were real.

edit: I read the end of it, and that other one must have been what I was thinking of. I should probably read the whole thing before I post.

[ 07-17-2004, 11:01 AM: Message edited by: LS0158 ]
LS0158 is offline  
Old 07-17-2004, 01:26 PM   #3
Illumina Drathiran'ar
Apophis
 
5 Card Draw Champion
Join Date: July 10, 2002
Location: I can see the Manhattan skyline from my window.
Age: 38
Posts: 4,673
Oh wow, that sounds so cool! I must have this game...
__________________
http://cavestory.org
PLAY THIS GAME. Seriously.

http://xkcd.com/386/
http://www.xkcd.com/406/

My heart is like my coffee. Black, bitter, icy, and with a straw.
Illumina Drathiran'ar is offline  
Old 07-17-2004, 11:46 PM   #4
shadowhound
Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice
 

Join Date: November 24, 2001
Location: Australia
Age: 37
Posts: 3,281
Sounds a lot like Majestic, Majestic was an earlier game that made use of mobile phones, emails and fax. Apparently it was a huge flop.
__________________
Carpe Noctem: Ph’nglui mglw’nafh cthulhu r’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagn.
shadowhound is offline  
Old 07-18-2004, 12:04 AM   #5
Harkoliar
Jack Burton
 

Join Date: March 21, 2001
Location: Philippines, but now Harbor City Sydney
Age: 40
Posts: 5,556
the reason is because fax is rather expensive to communicate with. emails however is another story
__________________

Catch me if you can..
Harkoliar is offline  
Old 07-18-2004, 08:51 AM   #6
Link
Jack Burton
 

Join Date: May 15, 2001
Location: The Netherlands
Age: 39
Posts: 5,888
The best game I've played so far was a bunch of click 'n play games on the internet where you had to watch the details very closely. I'll try and find them for ya [img]smile.gif[/img]
Link is offline  
Old 07-18-2004, 08:54 AM   #7
shadowhound
Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice
 

Join Date: November 24, 2001
Location: Australia
Age: 37
Posts: 3,281
Quote:
Originally posted by Harkoliar:
the reason is because fax is rather expensive to communicate with. emails however is another story
Actually according to many it was a failure because the game was predictable and the puzzles were far too simple, hopefully the same mistake won't be made with this game.
__________________
Carpe Noctem: Ph’nglui mglw’nafh cthulhu r’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagn.
shadowhound is offline  
 


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Interesting topic game? Hivetyrant General Discussion 12 10-02-2005 04:20 PM
SPOILER: Most interesting characters in the game. uss Baldurs Gate II: Shadows of Amn & Throne of Bhaal 28 04-21-2004 05:56 PM
interesting bug/ game flaw/ secret way of moving(maybe) Dude 77 Wizards & Warriors Forum 1 03-09-2003 12:04 PM
Help to make the game interesting ! whacky Icewind Dale | Heart of Winter | Icewind Dale II Forum 9 10-02-2002 08:11 PM
Interesting Things To Do In Game Valkyr Wizards & Warriors Archives 9 11-07-2000 09:50 PM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:43 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.3
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
©2024 Ironworks Gaming & ©2024 The Great Escape Studios TM - All Rights Reserved