Classic Adventure Game Shadowgate Re-imagined for a New Audience

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia - October 26, 2012 — Shadowgate is making a comeback, thanks to Virginia-based Zojoi, LLC. The genre-defining, first-person adventure game,once a Game Boy and Nintendo Entertainment System fan favorite, is being re-imagined for a new generation of gamers. Today, Zojoi launched a campaign on Kickstarter.com to help complete the vision of the original Shadowgate creators.
“We reacquired all of the titles we initially developed back in the day, including Shadowgate,” said David Marsh, Zojoi founder. “We love this fantasy title and decided to create an epic new version of the game for both existing fans and new gamers across multiple platforms.”

“We’re not approaching the Kickstarter campaign lightly,” Marsh continued. “We’ve invested a lot in Shadowgate and are currently knee-deep in pre-production. But we’re a small company and to make it happen, we need to reach out to the gaming community via Kickstarter.”

Shadowgate was originally released in 1987 on the “upstart” Apple Macintosh and was an instant hit. The game was subsequently ported to more than ten different platforms,including the PC, Commodore Amiga, Nintendo Entertainment System and Game Boy Color. The title won a prestigious Nintendo award and was nominated for its graphics at the Smithsonian American Art Museum exhibit, “Art of Video Games.”

“Shadowgate isn’t a port,” said Co-Creator Karl Roelofs. “The entire game has undergone a huge transformation including compelling gameplay, captivating art and amazing audio. We’ve redesigned and created a lot of new rooms and puzzles which offers a whole new play experience, while still retaining the iconic environments and plot elements Shadowgate fans remember.”

Zojoi’s launch on Kickstarter.com is an opportunity for Shadowgate and adventure game
enthusiasts to pledge funds to the project. In return, Zojoi will give backers a variety of
rewards, including copies of the games on multiple devices, the soundtrack, and even a
unique card game created for the Shadowgate universe by Middle Earth collectable card game designer, Coleman Charlton. The project will only be funded if the target goal is met.

This new version of Shadowgate features:

 Rooms - 60+ beautifully illustrated rooms featuring both new and familiar locations

 Puzzles - New and updated puzzles that seamlessly expand on the original game

 First Person Adventuring - Inventory, spell book, mapping system and on-screen help

 Commands - Intuitive command-based UI allowing extensive interaction

 Cinematic Score - A full, digitally-orchestrated soundtrack by composer Rich Douglas

 8-bit Score - A second retro soundtrack featuring Hiroyuki Masuno's original NES
composition

 Soundscape s- A complete atmospheric and puzzle-based sound design

 Animations - Environmental and object-specific animation bring each location to life

 Initial Platforms - Supports Windows, Mac, iOS and Android tablets

...Shadowgate has become infested with the Warlock Lord's demonic minions, not to mention the castle's still functional booby-traps.

Unlike Deja Vu, death comes at you suddenly, unexpectedly, and most of all OFTEN. Such simple acts as pulling the wrong switch or opening the wrong door can cause you to be skewered by a booby-trap or disemboweled by a monster. It's also worth mentioning the fact that if your torch burns out (this happens quite regularly) and you forget to light a new one, you'll trip in the dark and break your neck.

I will find out for you Jenny.

Ana

Unless this type of gameplay has been changed, I wouldn't be interested in playing it. Unfortunately there's nothing in the Kickstarter description that indicates that they've dispensed with this annoying stuff, or even reduced it. So despite the attractive artwork, I wouldn't be interested without some assurance they've gotten rid of the frequent unexpected death and annoying torch-based timed aspect.

I loved this game, I remember playing it on the original super nintendo system. I must have played it 5-6 times. I also played the other two as well, Deja Vu, and The Uninvited. I remember being dissapointed at the time, that there were other games like this to play.

thracia

Glad to see the "WhathappenedIdied??!!!" gameplay remains intact. And I hope the reaper will still make an appearance...

I couldn't keep myself from pledging to this. I just wish they would make the physical soundtrack CD available at lower tiers.

That's great that it's moving up at GoG! Congrats.

Ana