Windows

Schizm: Mysterious Journey

Advertising Blurbs

DreamCatcher Raises the Bar of Adventure Gaming with
SCHIZM : Mysterious Journey

Non-Violent, Non-Linear Adventure for All Levels of Gamers

Toronto, Ontario (October 16, 2001) - DreamCatcher, a fast-growing publisher of PC and console software entertainment, shipped today SCHIZM: Mysterious Journey, a stunning PC adventure that Myst® fans won't want to miss. This visually stunning masterpiece is a first-person perspective, 3D pre-rendered adventure game with a compelling nonviolent storyline combined with non-linear gameplay. In Schizm: Mysterious Journey, adventurers from all skill sets - novice to die-hard adventure gamers - will revel in playing the game's two protagonists, who are both members of the Earth supply vessel Angel, which was sent on a mission to explore the fascinating landscapes of an alien world filled with mystery and intrigue.

During this adventure, the player simultaneously controls two protagonists, who can explore the game and solve puzzles independently, but their cooperation is required at certain points as well. This two-character approach further expands the game's non-linear gameplay and frees the player from the annoying situation of being stuck at a particular puzzle. The quest also involves interaction with several live characters and information interchanges between the protagonists, so the player won't feel left alone on this deserted planet.

Unlike other adventure games, in Schizm adventurers get to choose the order in which most of the puzzles are solved, and the game's puzzles vary in type, including mechanical, logical, sound and inventory-based puzzles. In addition, the game's puzzles are all seamlessly integrated with an amazing storyline that was created in collaboration with award-winning Australian science fiction writer Terry Dowling. In fact, the storyline itself is so clever that it too unfolds like an intriguing puzzle waiting to be solved.

All the action of the game takes place in distinctive environments (indoors and outdoors) that were created by gifted individual artists. Journeymen of Schizm will encounter floating balloon towns, mysterious underground locations, abandoned industrial cities, sea-floating organic spaceships and more. Breathtaking, highly detailed, photo-realistic, 3D prerendered graphics presented full-screen in high resolution (640x360) and high color will also dazzle voyagers on their journey.

Storyline
It is the year 2083. Ten months ago, the first humans landed on Argilus. They found cities, towns and industrial installations, but they were all deserted. Doors unlocked. Meals unfinished. Amazing machinery still working. But no people. It was like finding the Mary Celeste on a planetary scale.

Science teams were brought in. Research bases set up. Four months later, your supply ship has been sent to check on these bases. But when you hail them from orbit, there's no answer. The science teams, too, seem to have vanished. Now your systems are failing and you and your crewmate have no choice but to abandon ship. But where can you go?

Technology
Schizm uses the V-Cruise’ engine (used previously in REAH: Face the Unknown), which allows for an immersive experience and ultra-smooth, fast and effective navigation between hundreds of locations.

The V-Cruise’ provides full 360 degree panoramic views in all locations and background animations in most of them, with occasional up and down glimpses and zooms. The navigation is entirely controlled by mouse movement, with one mouse button giving the player intuitive and smooth control.

Schizm also incorporates fast and high-quality video compression technology that allows for full-motion (25 frames per second), full-screen, high-resolution video sequences featuring live actors in virtual environments.

In addition, the game uses a very advanced digital sound library QMDX from QSound Labs. QMDX supports hardware accelerated 3D sound cards allowing for full 360 degree sound positioning. The library also adds support for Creative Labs Environmental Audio Extensions (EAX), further enhancing the player's sonic experience.

The game is designed to be delivered on DVD-ROM and take advantage of the large capacity and improved speed of this new technology. The classic CD-ROM version will be a scaled down version of this DVD-ROM original.

Crystal clear sound effects and ambient soundscapes, all presented in stereo and in 16-bit quality, help players navigate throughout the adventure. Users of 3D accelerated sound cards can enjoy the full 360 degree real-time sound positioning, which adapts to the changing position of the player. Ambient, non-distracting, interactive digital soundtrack also changes to match the player's actions.




Contributed by Jeanne (58829) on Mar 20, 2004.

YOU ARE ABOUT TO EMBARK ON AN INCREDIBLE ADVENTURE

Several exploration attempts of Argilus have failed to reveal the secrets behind it’s mysterious abandoned condition.

Previous exploration teams had reported unusual findings, prior to them mysteriously going missing themselves. Their garbled messages speak of a world containing large habitable organic vessels aimlessly floating, and abandoned. These messages are the only legacy that remains of a missing race.

Now you must ravel to the strange and exotic lands of Argilus, on a quest to uncover the secrets behind a strange phenomena. Here you will discover the mysteries and secrets that, until now, have been lying dormant waiting to be revealed.

Embrace the challenge and allow your instincts and ingenuity to help you unlock the ultimate mystery.


Contributed by Jeanne (58829) on Mar 21, 2002.

It is the year 2083. A habitable planet has been discovered in a distant galaxy...Several exploration attempts by Earth scientists of the planet, named Argilus, have failed to reveal the secrets behind the planet's mysterious abandoned condition. Previous exploration teams had reported unusual findings upon landing… prior to them mysteriously going missing themselves… The garbled messages received, tell of a world containing large habitable,organic vessels, named ‘living ships,’ aimlessly floating and abandoned.

Sam and Hannah, the last two members of a rescue team, pilot their meteor-damaged ship into the planet’s orbit. As they jettison their escape pods, an anomalous rift causes them to land miles apart on the planet’s surface.

Isolated, they retain the hope that their communicators do not fail, and continue to make contact hoping for a response. But as they make their way across the strange and exotic landscape, they discover they need help to unlock the secrets… A thrilling first person, 3D adventure game, which will appeal to everyone from the novice to the experienced gamer. A compelling non-violent storyline with non-linear gameplay.

Features:

Incredible Myst’ style graphics.

A mix of puzzles - mechanical, logical, sound an inventory based.

The V-Cruise’ Engine allows for an immersive experience and ulltra-smooth, fast and effective navigation, and provides full 360 degree panoramic background animations.


Contributed by Jeanne (58829) on Oct 12, 2001.