The Black Mirror

The story we would like to tell you is one of those history would rather forget and its words would then become an empty past. The past is, however, our reverse mirror. Therefore listen to the following words so that they do not dissolve in oblivion.

After many years, our hero, the nobleman Samuel Gordon, returns to his dominion in England where he had spent most of his life. His memories of long passed events prevented him from returning here for long twelve years and that is why he had long ago given up all his property in the manor belonging to his ancestors.He was firmly hoping that he would never again have to come back to the place that would bring back dark images of the past to his memory and that would exacerbate his soul with a burning knife of guilt. He would probably spend the rest of his life as far as possible from the Black Mirror manor if it had not been for his fate that once and for all diverted his future from the path of oblivion...

With feelings of uncertainty, gaining in intensity as he was approaching the border of his dominion, he returns back today in order to revere the memory of William Gordon who had meant so much for him. That is perhaps also why he, as the only one, refuses to believe that William's death was just an unfortunate incident. He begins to be intrigued by the last days of William's life. From reading William's diary and from other indices, however, he is soon to find out that there were other facts behind William's death. On the background of a seemingly peaceful life at the ancient Black Mirror manor, a circle of mysterious deaths and unexpected events begins to spin around. So far, however, he is not aware that it is himself who stands in the center of all these events...

First works on the Black Mirror horror adventure began in January 2000. Since then we have spent thousands of hours working together on this demanding project so that we could tell you as best as possible our dark story of Samuel Gordon and thus enable you with a powerful experience in playing the game.

The game scenario is divided into six long chapters in which you will gradually explore over hundred locations. Besides others you will visit a medieval underground temple, a mental hospital, a cemetery and other mysterious locations, in which you will live through the chilly story of Samuel Gordon. We realize that the scenario and story are the central components of each good game, namely in the adventure genre. This holds especially true with a horror story and that is why we have paid a special attention to the scenario from the very beginning of our work. Owing to a complex plot of the entire game we are not going to reveal more from the story since we do not want to deprive you of your experience from the game.

Besides a quality story we have also paid a considerable attention to all the other components and aspects of the game since the entire elaboration is crucial for the overall atmosphere of the game. The graphic design of each picture starts from drafts on paper, from which it is transferred into the digital form and elaborated into minute details. The quality of sound is ensured by hundreds of meticulously chosen and arranged sounds proving a studio quality. The atmosphere of the game is also enhanced by orchestral scenic music, vividly responding to momentary twists of the plot.

Dialogues represent an equally important component of the game. For your better idea, the texts now take up 110 pages and the number of pages is constantly growing. All the dialogues will be naturally manifold, frequently providing a possibility to influence the behavior of your own main character.

Source:

Future Games Web Page

Description:

British nobleman, Samuel Gordon, has just returned to his homeland after a self-imposed twelve year absence. Reluctantly returning to his magnificent home, Black Mirror Manor, he is desperate to prove that the untimely death of his ancestor, William Gordon, was not just an ‘unfortunate incident.’ Samuel reads William’s private diary and quickly discovers that there have been a number of mysterious deaths, and as he gets closer to these crimes, he realizes that he is very much at the centre of the mystery. Samuel must do all he can to solve the mystery and keep himself alive.

Features:- A rich and interesting storyline to capture the imagination- Third-person graphical adventure- Six comprehensive chapters- Features 23 individual characters- More than 100 different locations, including: a medieval underground temple, a mental hospital and a cemetery)- Atmospheric effects such as rain, fog and storms- Hundreds of realistic animations- Many logical, inventory, environmental and tactile puzzles

Source:

Adventure Company web site

Asleep For A Hundred Years...It has Now Awakened.

Black Mirror Castle stands over ancient lands with secrets buried and best forgotten. The crumbling ruins breathe with a life of their own, haunted by the past and waiting to meet the present.

Following the sudden death of his grandfather, Samuel Gordon returns to his estate after an absence of twelve years. As he tries to understand the reasons behind his grandfather's death, he uncovers an ancient family secret.

As Samuel learns the truth of the mysterious origins of the land and history of Black Mirror castle, he comes face to face with madness and murder and the true reflection of his soul.

Source:

Back Cover - US version

BLACK BY POPULAR DEMANDGMX Media signs UK rights to hotly-rated terrifying horror adventure‘Black Mirror’

LONDON, UK (March 17, 2004): Aggressive games publisher GMX Media has today announced that it has secured UK rights to the dark adventure game Black Mirror.

Developed by Czech coders Future Games, Black Mirror is a dark adventure game which details the aftermath of the tragic death of William Gordon. Playing as grandson Samuel, players must unveil the truth behind the events of that fateful, stormy night. The Gordon family have accepted William’s death as suicide; however, Samuel is not so sure. And by investigating the ‘suicide’ further, some terrifying family secrets are revealed. Through the course of the game, players will discover the tragedy that has decimated the Gordons since the Middle Ages – and eventually fight to escape a fate which will not stop until it has claimed every member of the family.

Black Mirror has been released in the Czech Republic where its dark and moody atmosphere earned it rave reviews. A North American release followed late last year – and GMX has worked hard to secure a UK publishing deal, which see the game fully-localised version appear on shelves towards the end of May 2004, price [£tba].

"Black Mirror is an excellent adventure title, and one we have been tracking for ages,” said Eugene Perry COO, GMX Media. “The game has been very successful in every territory and we aim to repeat that success in the UK."

“Black Mirror won a prestigious reader survey at the biggest and most famous Czech Republic website BonusWeb.cz,” adds Zdenek Houb, Future Games s.r.o. PR Manager. “We’ve been delighted by the support of our native gamers and can’t wait to see the reaction of UK players – all possible thanks to the support we’re enjoying from GMX Media.”

THE STORY:

British nobleman, Samuel Gordon, has just returned to his homeland after a self-imposed 12 year absence. Reluctantly returning to his magnificent home, Black Mirror Manor, he is desperate to prove that the untimely death of his ancestor, William Gordon, was not just an "unfortunate incident." Samuel reads William's private diary and quickly discovers that there have been a number of mysterious deaths, and as he gets closer to these crimes, he realises that he is very much at the center of the mystery. Samuel must do all he can to solve the mystery and keep himself alive.

FEATURES:

• A rich and interesting storyline to capture the imagination
• Third-person graphical adventure
• Six comprehensive chapters
• Features 23 individual characters
• More than 100 different locations, including: a medieval underground temple, a mental hospital, and a cemetery
• Atmospheric effects such as rain, fog, and storms
• Hundreds of realistic animations
• Many logical, inventory, environmental, and tactile puzzles

More info at: http://www.gmxmedia.net/blackmirror

About GMX Media

GMX Media is on track to become one of the world's leading publishers and distributors of video games for all consoles (Microsoft®, Nintendo®, Sega® and Sony®), personal computers (PCs), and Macintosh hardware, as well as all available interactive platforms. Headquartered in the UK with operations or partners in every major territory in the world.

Source:

Press Release

**The Adventure Company Ships The Black Mirror

A string of mysterious deaths, a chain of unexpected events, a horrifying tale…**

Toronto, Ontario, October 15, 2003 – The Adventure Company *today announced that it has shipped The Black Mirror on PC-CD to stores in North America.

The Black Mirror’s story is based on Englishman Samuel Gordon ,who had left his boyhood home many years before, vowing never to return. The accidental death of his grandfather, William, forces him to make the painful journey back. After reading William’s journal, Samuel learns that the death is no accident, but linked to a string of gruesome and mysterious deaths dating back 100 years. Upon investigating, Samuel discovers that he’s much closer to the mystery than he thinks; in fact, he’s at the very center of it.

“The Black Mirror reminds me of a thrilling horror movie," commented Renata Richardson , Product Manager, The Adventure Company, “You know you might have nightmares for the next week, yet you keep watching, with one hand over your eyes, until the very end.”

This third-person adventure unfolds across six comprehensive chapters and features more than 100 different locations (these include a medieval underground temple, a mental hospital and a cemetery).

The game boasts realistic atmospheric effects including wind, rain, fog and full blown storms, and features more than 20 different characters .The Black Mirror also features a dark orchestral soundtrack that follows the mood and action of the game; similarly, the sound effects enhance the gameplay experience. The game is expected to offer more than 30 hours of gameplay.

The Black Mirror will retail for $29.99US (SRP) and has an ESRB rating of “M” for Mature. Visit the Black Mirror website at www.adventurecompanygames.com/tac/black_mirror/

About The Adventure Company

The Adventure Company is North America 's number one publisher of adventure games , publishing award-winning adventure games primarily for the PC. Visit www.AdventureCompanyGames.com for further details.

Source:

Press Release

Un jeu d'aventure et d'enquête à faire frémir !

THE BLACK MIRROR est un jeu d'aventure en 3D et à la 3ème personne. Le joueur incarne Samuel Gordon, un jeune aristocrate qui enquête sur un meurtre mystérieux. Enquête, collecte d'indices, interrogatoires et résolution de puzzles seront nécessaires pour venir à bout de la terrible malédiction qui plane sur le manoir de Black Mirror ! Le joueur devra plonger dans cette ambiance digne des plus grands films fantastiques pour espérer voir la vérité révélée.

Retrouvez plus d'informations sur le site officiel du jeu : www.microapp.com/black-mirror

Source:

microapp.com (French)

Was hundert Jahre schlief ist nun erwacht.

Das Schloss Black Mirror liegt inmitten einer uralten Landschaft, die viele Geheimnisse birgt. Geheimnisse, die am besten für immer unentdeckt bleiben sollten.

Samuel Gordon kehrt nach zwölf Jahren erstmals zum Wohnsitz seiner Ahnen zurück, um am Begräbnis seines Großvaters teilzunehmen. Samuel glaubt als einziger nicht daran, dass sein Großvater Selbstmord begangen hat und beginnt mit Nachforschungen. Schon bald ist er einem schrecklichen Geheimnis auf der Spur.

Je näher Samuel der Wahrheit kommt, desto stärker wird er in einen Strudel von Wahnsinn und Mord gezogen. Um zu bestehen muss er sich der schwersten Prüfung stellen: den Dämonen seiner eigenen Seele.

• Ungeheuer detaillierte Grafik bringt die düsteren Schauplätze der Geschichte perfekt auf den Schirm. Unterstützt durch eine Vielzahl von Effekten wie Regen, Nebel oder Sturm entsteht eine realistische, zeitweise beklemmende, Atmosphäre.
• Die komplexe Story wird durch eine Reihe interessanter Charaktere unterstützt die alle liebevoll animiert wurden. Dank der aufwändigen Lokalisation entfaltet sich die Dramatik der Geschichte in voller Breite.
• Auf Sie wartet eine anspruchsvolle und umfangreiche Aufgabe: Eine Vielzahl von logischen Puzzles die nahtlos in die Handlung eingebettet wurden, gilt es zu lösen um das dunkle Geheimnis von Black Mirror zu lüften.

Source:

Back of Box - Windows (GER)

Black Mirror is a dark adventure game that details the aftermath of the tragic death of William Gordon. Playing as his grandson Samuel players must unveil the truth behind the events of that fateful, stormy night. The Gordon family has accepted William's death as suicide; however, Samuel is not so sure. And through further investigation some terrifying family secrets are revealed. Through the course of the game players will discover the tragedy that has decimated the Gordons since the Middle Ages - and eventually fight to escape a fate that will not stop until it has claimed every member of the family.## Key Features

• A rich and interesting storyline to capture the imagination
• Third-person graphical adventure
• Six comprehensive chapters
• Features 23 individual characters
• More than 100 different locations, including: a medieval underground temple, a mental hospital, and a cemetery
• Atmospheric effects such as rain, fog, and storms
• Hundreds of realistic animations
• Many logical, inventory, environmental, and tactile puzzles

Source:

Steam Store Description