A faithful UE5 remake of a cult 1994 FMV detective adventure, rebuilt so that everybody can finally walk through Chandler Avenue.

"It's very exciting that Yuval is taking these new tools and new technologies and basically is bringing the game back to life" - Chris Jones \ Tex Murphy

Tex Murphy, a private investigator, has hit rock bottom. Recently divorced from his wife Sylvia, out of work, low on cash and living in a run-down part of Old San Francisco, Tex realizes that he has to get his act together, so he sets out to hunt for work. ​The game takes place in post-World War III San Francisco in December 2042. After the devastating events of the nuclear war, many major cities have been rebuilt (as is the case with New San Francisco), though certain areas remain as they were before the war. The war also left another mark on the world: the formation of two classes of citizens. Some people have developed a natural resistance against radioactivity, the "Norms" – everybody else is a Mutant in some form.

Under a Killing Moon is being rebuilt from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5: the same Chandler Avenue, the same detective soul, the same cult-classic weirdness, now with new explorable environments, modern controls, upgraded FMVs, new interactions, and atmospheric effects that finally make Old San Francisco feel alive.

This Kickstarter exists to fund a faithful remake of Under a Killing Moon, the cult FMV adventure that introduced many players to Tex Murphy's strange, funny, rain-soaked corner of post-war San Francisco.

The aim is not to sand away the personality of the original. The aim is to rebuild the game so players can finally walk through the places the 1994 version could only imply: Rook's Pawnshop, Louie's Brew & Stew, Golden gate hotel, Coit tower, and the connected spaces around Chandler Avenue.

Original vs Remade

Why This Remake

Speeder
Under a Killing Moon blended full-motion video, comedy, sci-fi noir, detective work, and strange post-war San Francisco atmosphere in a way few adventure games ever attempted. It built a world people still remember decades later.

Sneakers and Fedoras
But returning to the original today is difficult for many players. The graphics and controls are dated, navigation is fragmented, video quality is limited by 1994 capture technology, and some places that felt real were only visible through FMV sequences.

The remake keeps the story, tone, characters, and spatial identity intact while rebuilding the experience as a modern 3D adventure that new players can actually pick up and play.

Today, we're excited to share something very special with the Tex Murphy community.

For years, fans have asked what it would be like to experience Under a Killing Moon with modern technology while preserving the heart, humor, and atmosphere that made the original such a beloved classic. Now, that vision is taking shape with Tex Murphy: Killing Moon Rising, a fan-made remaster (headed up by Yuval Dorfman) that has earned the support of many members of the original Tex Murphy family. Chris Jones, Aaron Conners, and other longtime contributors have been cheering this project on as it brings Old San Francisco back to life for a new generation.

Built in Unreal Engine 5, Killing Moon Rising aims to faithfully recreate the world of Under a Killing Moon with modern visuals, enhanced exploration, updated controls, remastered FMV sequences, and expanded environments while staying true to the spirit of the 1994 original. Today, the Kickstarter campaign is officially live.
If Tex Murphy's adventures have ever made you laugh, scratch your head, or lose yourself in the streets of Old San Francisco, we invite you to take a look and help make this dream a reality.

The moon is rising once again.

Always love hearing Chris Jones voice again and a remake of an original buuut....what Happened to the remake of Pandora Directive that had been in the works?.

This is a fan made game that they are giving their blessings to. Not created by Big Finish Games. No updates on Pandora Directive remake in a very long time!

what Happened to the remake of Pandora Directive that had been in the works?.

"My continued involvement in Tex Murphy

Some folks might be asking what this means for the future of Tex Murphy projects, including the Pandora Directive Remaster. Until now, I have been dedicated to doing my part in that project in my spare time. These tasks include remastering the full motion video from the original tapes, redesigning the game environments, remastering the sound and music, and modernizing the game design. For the most part, those tasks have been conquered, and the logical next step would be to get the band back together again to march the project towards the finish line. However, that will require more than a part-time, passion project level of dedication. The entire team will need to be back on board 100%. Anything else would disrespect both the project’s contributors and critical stakeholders. Not everybody is available or willing to commit to this right now. However, many of us who still want to complete this project will remain on standby until the entire team is ready to engage and support it together"