Rhiannon: Curse of the Four Branches

Welsh independent developer Arberth Studios has taken on all non-American licensing rights to hit point-and-click PC adventure game, 'Rhiannon: Curse of the Four Branches'.

Arberth has parted company with European publisher Lighthouse Interactive, which hit financial difficulties after the collapse of its UK distributor last year. Lighthouse agreed to cancel the contract after three months of operation.

The independent studio, based in West Wales on the Celtic fringe of the UK, has acquired a sizeable proportion of the remaining stock of 'Rhiannon' and is offering it through a number of outlets, including its own website at www.arberthstudios.com

The Welsh independent has declared itself ready to open negotiations with other publishers and distributors for Europe and the world excluding North America and Mexico.

'Rhiannon' was an instant success story after its launch in Autumn 2008, hitting the top of Amazon's list of best selling adventures and gaining plaudits from players and reviewers. It is performing well in North America, where Got Game Entertainment currently has publishing rights. The Arberth team are busy working on their second game, 'Coven' - a story encompassing witchcraft in the sixteenth century and the present day - also set in Wales.

Noel Bruton of Arberth Studios comments: "This is an exciting time for Arberth as we look for another European partner to work with us. Lighthouse announced in December 2008, that due at least in part to the collapse of its UK distributor, it could not meet its financial commitments to us. We took the decision to salvage something from the remains of Lighthouse to ensure continuity of supply."

He continues: "Lighthouse had begun, but not concluded the setting up of various distribution deals in Europe. We were very keen to localise for the Lighthouse territories, and German and Italian translations were well advanced. But development of these is now in abeyance until a way forward can be found."

Source:

Press Release (Feb 27, 2009)

Rhiannon: Curse of the Four Branches is set on the Celtic fringes of Britain; a place where myth and magic spill into reality, threatening the sanity of a teenage girl named Rhiannon Sullivan. An ancient battle for revenge engulfs Ty Pryderi, the remote Welsh farmstead Rhiannon now calls home. She begins to hear unexplained noises, see disturbing visions, and experience other chilling paranormal phenomena. There is an ancient evil lurking in the walls of Ty Pryderi that holds a terrible connection to a timeless struggle between man and magic fabled in the Mabinogion Legends. Her parents take Rhiannon away, leaving Ty Pryderi to your watch and exploration, but their absence can only postpone the inevitability of revenge and death. Unless you can stop it!

FEATURES:* Set in present day, the plot draws from ancient Welsh myths and legends * Explore the eerie Welsh farmstead, from the imposing house, to its extensive grounds and buildings * First-person, point-and-click with approximately 20 to 30 hours of largely non-linear gameplay * Involved multi-threaded plot * Features classic themes such as: magic, paranormal phenomena, and technological gadgets * Engaging and unusual challenges, mostly plot and inventory-driven * A haunting musical score will send chills up your spine * Solid chapter structure to the compelling and ultimately uplifting story

Source:

Back Cover - Windows (UK)

REVENGE BEYOND DEATH...TRUTH BEYOND LEGEND!

Legends, myths, and magic spill into reality as an ancient battle for revenge envelopes a remote Welsh farmstead, threatening the very sanity of a lonely teenage girl.

Are reports of unexplained noises and strange visions by fifteen year old Rhiannon Sullivan merely the figments of an overactive imagination? Or does the history of her family's new home, Ty Pryderi, hold a terrible connection to a timeless struggle between man and magic? Her parents take Rhiannon away, leaving Ty Pryderi to your watch and exploration, but their absence can only postpone an ancient inevitability of revenge and death.

Unless you can stop it

• First person point and click Horror adventure
• Spine-tingling story blending magic with technology, fact with myth, and horror with compassion
• Rich, atmospheric game world
• A feast for lovers of ghost stories, mysteries, legends, & puzzles
• Eerie Soundtrack

Source:

Back Cover - Windows (US)

С Уэльсом, «кельтской окраиной» Британии, связано множество легенд и мифов. В этих местах на уединенной ферме «Ти Придери» живет семейство Салливан.

Пятнадцатилетнюю Рианнон, дочь хозяев, начинают тревожить потусторонние звуки и жуткие видения. Все происходящие каким-то образом связано с бесконечным противостоянием человека и темной магии, описанным в валлийском эпосе «Мабиногион».

Встревоженные родители увозят Рианнон с фермы, однако это лишь отсрочка. Трагедия неизбежна, и только игроку под силу ее предотвратить.

• Захватывающее исследование таинственного сельского дома в Уэльсе и его окрестностей.
• Многогранный сюжет, в котором переплетаются темы магии, достижений технического прогресса и паранормальных явлений.
• Более двухсот предметов, используемых по ходу игры.
• Мрачная музыка, гармонично дополняющая видеоряд.

Source:

games.1c.ru (Publisher's website)