Quantum Gate (PC game)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Quantum Gate | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Hyperbole Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Media Vision Technology |
| Designer(s) | Greg Roach |
| Engine | Virtual Cinema |
| Platform(s) | Windows 3.x, Macintosh |
| Release date | 1993 |
| Genre(s) | FMV game, adventure |
| Media | CD-ROM |
| System requirements | 386/33, 4 MB RAM, 640 x 480 Super VGA with 256 colors (65,536 recommended), CD-ROM drive with minimum of 150 kB/s. transfer rate, 8-bit Windows compatible sound card, 10 MB hard disk space, Windows 3.1 or MS-DOS 5 or 6. |
Quantum Gate is an interactive movie created by Hyperbole Studios [1] in 1993 and published by the now defunct Media Vision Technology. (not to be confused with Media.Vision of Japan). Quantum Gate, sold over 100,000 units (a commercial benchmark achieved by few titles in 1993) and was regarded as a technical, and artistic breakthrough in PC entertainment design. The game also had a sequel titled Vortex and also a book.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
The player takes on the role of Private Drew Griffins, an army medical student recruited by the UN on a secret mission to an alien world where water is scarce. The year is 2057. An advanced environmental simulation program called Earth-5 has predicted that there are only five years before irreversible environmental damages will cause the Earth’s demise. Only the Eden Initiative can save Earth from this Armageddon. The key to this operation is a rare mineral, iridium oxide, found on the alien planet AJ3905 —a world accessible only through an interplanetary device called the Quantum Gate. This world is occupied by a hostile life form who appear anthropomorphic in form through your virtual reality display. Yet, as launch time closes in, you begin to question the validity of the orders from your commanding officer, Colonel Saunders, and the inventor of the Quantum Gate, Dr. Elizabeth Marks. Furthermore, your army buddy, Private Michaels, tells tales of great conspiracy to hide the true agenda of the Eden Initiative. When your tophat and life support fail during the final battle with the aliens, you realize that you have been tricked into annihilating, in reality, a peaceful race of winged humanoids called the Alylinde. In your last moments before death, you ponder dearly upon the mistake you have made.
[edit] Reception
Quantum Gate was celebrated for its superior graphics, powerful story and computer-generated imagery, but criticised for having limited gameplay. Computer Gaming World referred to it as "A future shock film on par with Alien."
A sequel, Quantum Gate 2: The Vortex, was also developed by Hyperbole Studios. Both titles suffered from the expectations of gamers, who, by and large failed to understand the goals and intentions of the creators - to create a new kind of participatory and immersive story - rather than a traditional computer game filled with puizzles and action sequences.
[edit] Production
Greg Roach[2] wrote and designed the title which follows the story of Drew Griffin, a military recruit in a base on a far off planet, preparing for a war with an alien species.
Originally the two releases, Quantum Gate and The Vortex, were written and designed as a single story/experience, but the publisher, Media Vision, exercised an acceleration clause in the development contract and demanded the title months ahead of the original release date - causing the developers to have to split the title into two. As a result, The Vortex was redesigned to allow its story to stand alone.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
 |
This adventure game-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
