Joystiq

Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller launches episode 3, The Oracle

Jessica Conditt — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:00:00 EST

Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller, the Kickstarted adventure game from Phoenix Online Studios and Gabriel Knight writer Jane Jensen, is now on its third episode and things are really heating up. Watch the trailer and that line is funny, we promise. Well, funnier.

Episode three is subtitled The Oracle, and it continues the tale of Erica, a psychic FBI agent, as she tracks down a serial killer.

"Cognition's third episode picks up right where the last left off, with a body hurtling down the Enthon Towers' 33 stories to smash onto a parked police cruiser," the press release describes. Players are able to control Erica and the serial killer as the (gruesome) story unfolds.

Cognition will have four parts in total, with the final called The Cain Killer. Grab The Oracle and any previous episodes via Phoenix Online - with sales live through tomorrow, May 17 at 3 p.m. ET - and if you like the series, vote for Cognition on Steam Greenlight.

Gallery: Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller (Episode 3: The Oracle)

Continue reading Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller launches episode 3, The Oracle

Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller launches episode 3, The Oracle originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 May 2013 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Explore the mysteries of Cognition in this new trailer

Xav de Matos — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 03:00:00 EST

Now that Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller from indie dev Phoenix Online Studios has a publisher, it's time to get the promotion train going! Here's a new trailer for the adventure game's first episode, 'The Hangman.'

Explore the mysteries of Cognition in this new trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reverb Publishing adds its touch to Jane Jensen's Cognition

JC Fletcher — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 12:30:00 EST

Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller, designed by Gabriel Knight's Jane Jensen in cooperation with Silver Lining developer Phoenix Online Studios, sought its initial funding via Kickstarter last year. Now, it's acquired a more traditional partner: an actual publisher, in the form of Dungeon Defenders' Reverb Publishing. Reverb doesn't offer a specific date or platform information for the adventure game in its announcement, merely declaring its intent to bring it to "digital download platforms."

Cognition is about a police detective who uses "post-cognition," an ability to touch objects and learn about their pasts, in her search for a serial killer.

Continue reading Reverb Publishing adds its touch to Jane Jensen's Cognition

Reverb Publishing adds its touch to Jane Jensen's Cognition originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pinkerton Road reveals second title, uses traditional publisher model

Jessica Conditt — Sun, 06 May 2012 12:27:00 EST

Pinkerton Road Studios, founded by former Gabriel Knight designer Jane Jensen, has raised more than $300,000 in its Kickstarter campaign, insuring work on its first title, Moebius, can move forward. Pinkerton Road is also working on a second adventure title this year, but is using the traditional publishing model, Jensen revealed in the above update.

The new game is called "Mystery Game X" for now and Jensen has revealed just three details: It's a third-person adventure; it's a dark mystery; she thinks you will be excited about it. That last one is less of a detail and more of "wishful thinking" or "early marketing," but hey, we figure she's probably right anyway.

Pinkerton Road reveals second title, uses traditional publisher model originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 06 May 2012 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Moebius' could be first adventure game from Jane Jensen's new studio

Ludwig Kietzmann — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST

Described as a "metaphysical sci-fi thriller in the vein of Fringe," Moebius is set to be the first adventure game from Pinkerton Road Studios, pending a successful outcome on its ongoing Kickstarter campaign. Early project backers pushed Moebius through the gate first, and have contributed nearly $174,000 out of the requested $300,000.

The publicity surrounding the project is hinged on Jensen's prior work as designer and author for Sierra's celebrated Gabriel Knight series, in which a long-haired occult expert and demon hunter solved dark mysteries in-between sarcastic quips.

In Moebius, we get an antiquities dealer named Malachi Rector, who's gifted with an ability to sense "the soul" of an object. (So, think of him as having a knack for explaining any nicks on your knick-knacks.) Rector seeks to identify the significance of a woman's suspicious death in Venice, and how that connects to a shifty millionaire named Amber Dexter.

Moebius, as currently envisioned, should arrive sporting a "graphic novel look" in March 2013. Project backers have until then to fund the project and provide feedback throughout its development, possibly starting with an even-handed request to have the name "Amber Dexter" stricken from the game.

Gallery: Moebius (Concept Art)

'Moebius' could be first adventure game from Jane Jensen's new studio originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gabriel Knight writer Jane Jensen opens new studio Pinkerton Road

Ben Gilbert — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 19:30:00 EST

It's a good time to be a classic adventure game fan, in case you hadn't noticed. Between Double Fine's recent success story and this week's announcement of a brand new adventure studio from Gabriel Knight writer Jane Jensen, the next few years are gonna be rife with pun-laden puzzles.

Jensen's new studio, Pinkerton Road, is being co-opened with composer Robert Holmes (also of Gabriel Knight fame) and will focus on "third-person adventure games for PC and tablet with rich stories, gorgeous art, and seamlessly fun play." Rather than following the traditional developer model of seeking funding via publishers, Pinkerton Road will be using a model based on community supported agriculture. Yes, really.

Jensen's calling it "Community Supported Gaming," and says fans will essentially pay for year-long seasons of access to the studio's games (a la CSAs). A smattering of ideas are already in the works for the studio's first year, and Kickstarter is facilitating the funding. If you'd like to support the project, there are still 42 days to go on the funding goal.

Gabriel Knight writer Jane Jensen opens new studio Pinkerton Road originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 07 Apr 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jane Jensen and Silver Lining devs reveal new adventure game, Cognition

JC Fletcher — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:40:00 EST

Here's some awesome news for adventure fans: Gabriel Knight creator Jane Jensen is working on another project, with King's Quest: The Silver Lining dev Phoenix Online Studios, along with Titan Quest developer Khaeon Gamestudio and comic artist Roman Molenaar! Even better news: Phoenix's new game won't use any IP that Activision owns!

Cognition is an episodic detective adventure about an FBI agent who gains the power to see past events related to any object she touches. Agent Erica Reed uses these abilities - and, hopefully, some traditional investigative methods as well - to hunt down a serial killer, and attempt to solve the murder of her brother. It's coming to PC, with mobile and console versions "also under consideration."

Phoenix plans to release four episodes of Cognition, but needs your help to fund development. It's set up a Kickstarter seeking $25,000 for initial development costs. As always, there are bonuses associated with various Kickstarter tears, not the least of which is this game actually happening.

Continue reading Jane Jensen and Silver Lining devs reveal new adventure game, Cognition

Jane Jensen and Silver Lining devs reveal new adventure game, Cognition originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gray Matter confirmed for February launch on PC in North America

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:20:00 EST

Gray Matter, the first adventure game by Jane Jensen since Gabriel Knight 3, is set for a PC launch in North America for $29.99 in February, which should finally end years of the game pulling a delay out of its hat. We can't currently point and click you toward a stateside launch for the Xbox 360 version.

The full game (with a heftier Euro price) and demo for the PC version have been available across the Atlantic for a few months now. Thankfully, despite the game's German launch, that version comes with English voiceovers.

Continue reading Gray Matter confirmed for February launch on PC in North America

Gray Matter confirmed for February launch on PC in North America originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gray Matter demo now available in European Xbox Live regions

Ludwig Kietzmann — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 05:00:00 EST

And now, for its next trick, Gray Matter will release an Xbox Live demo to several European regions. The long-awaited adventure game -- which you may have classified as "that new thing from Gabriel Knight author and designer, Jane Jensen" -- follows a young magician as she uncovers a puzzling paranormal situation near an English university. According to Major Nelson, the demo is available in the following regions: United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, Germany, Spain and France.

If you're quite tolerant of mice and keyboards, you can also grab a demo of the PC version from Big Download. The German release of Gray Matter (including English voiceovers) is already available, if a bit on the pricey side, and the English version is currently set to arrive in shops in February 2011. By then, there should be quite a few walkthroughs available to help those who struggle with point-and-click conundrums -- after all, how does a magician cope without an assistant?

Gray Matter demo now available in European Xbox Live regions originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jane Jensen's Gray Matter PC demo available now

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 02:00:00 EST

Look, we weren't going to say anything, but it's obvious that your brain isn't operating at maximum capacity today. You've probably got some residual tryptophan slurry sloshing around in there -- what you need is to really flex your cerebral muscles. There's really no better way for you to do so than to check out a recently released PC demo for Gabriel Knight creator Jane Jensen's long-in-development mystery/adventure title, Gray Matter. See, it's got the name of your brain goop right there in the title, so you know it's a thinking person's game.

The game was actually released in Germany earlier this month, and will arrive in the rest of Europe next February -- however, no US release plans for the full title have been announced. To unravel the full mystery therein, you're going to have to pony up for the German version of the game (which includes a full English voice track) or import the game, which is, in and of itself, kind of a mystery. Oh, Jane Jensen. You got us again.

Jane Jensen's Gray Matter PC demo available now originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gray Matter slips to February 2011

James Ransom-Wiley — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

UK-based adventure game publisher Lace Mamba Global has announced another unfortunate "slippage" of Gray Matter. As developer WizarBox and co-publisher dtp entertainment work to get the hard-to-handle contents of Jane Jensen's game in order, Lace Mamba has "no alternative but to delay the release until the chosen date," according to an announcement. (Prior to today's delay, the game was scheduled for release this month.)

The latest chosen date for both the PC and Xbox 360 versions? February 25, 2011 in the UK (which, by the standard retail calendar, would put Gray Matter in North America on February 22.) "[W]e now know for certain that the date we have is the date Gray Matter will be available," declared Lace Mamba's Jason Codd, perhaps jinxing the project again.

"[D]ue to the tight time frames, and the need for more polishing of the game we had no alternative but to make a quick decision and delay the product until February," Codd explained. "This will give the development team more time in ensuring that the game measures up to the standards that have been set" -- now, are those the original 2004 standards, or ...?

Continue reading Gray Matter slips to February 2011

Gray Matter slips to February 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gray Matter has its mind set on October release

Justin McElroy — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 10:10:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

We got an extensive demo with Jane Jensen's oft-delayed adventure game Gray Matter at E3 (more on that soon) but she did give us one item we couldn't wait to share: Publisher DTP Entertainment is currently targeting an October release for the PC/360 title.

Considering we've previously heard March of 2010, 2009 and 2008, well ... let's just say we're writing the date on our calendar in pencil. Maybe not even that. Maybe sidewalk chalk.

Gallery: Gray Matter

Gray Matter has its mind set on October release originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jane Jensen's Gray Matter confirmed for Xbox 360

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:01:00 EST

Gray Matter, Jane Jensen's long overdue adventure game, is also making its way to the Xbox 360 when the game finally launches later this year (... allegedly). Originally announced for PC years ago, there had been talk of a console version -- but for the Wii. Publisher dtp entertainment states the controls have been adjusted for Microsoft's console, but "other than that, Gray Matter's PC and Xbox 360 versions are absolutely identical."

Jensen was the mind behind the acclaimed Gabriel Knight adventure series during the 90s. Hopefully, this'll be the year we finally get to wrap our brains around Gray Matter.

Jane Jensen's Gray Matter confirmed for Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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March is the latest release date for Gray Matter

JC Fletcher — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EST

The last release date given for Jane Jensen's comeback adventure game, Gray Matter, was "2009," following delays in 2007 and 2008. However, the hot new trend for games coming out in 2009 is not coming out in 2009, and publisher dtp entertainment has adjusted its schedule accordingly.

According to a new press release, the publisher now plans to release Gray Matter in March. Eventually, we suppose, one of these release dates is going to be the real one, but we have no way of knowing which until the game comes out. At least progress is being made: dtp announced that voice work for the English version is complete.

[Via Eurogamer]

March is the latest release date for Gray Matter originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jane Jensen's Gray Matter may puzzle Wii owners

JC Fletcher — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

Jane Jensen's Gabriel Knight games were rare commodities: mid-'90s FMV-based games that weren't amazingly terrible (okay, so just the second one was FMV-based). While Vivendi has the rights to that series, Jensen has been working on a new adventure game, Gray Matter, for a few years. Gray Matter is the story of a neurobiologist and his assistant, who must investigate both his reappearing dead wife and his history of creepy experiments. And also solve puzzles, obviously.

In a retrospective Gabriel Knight interview with Edge, Jensen said that Wii fans may have reason to watch the constant delays of the point-and-click adventure game: "There are plans for a Wii port of Gray Matter, and I hope it happens." The website currently says it's "coming soon 2009", so, barring further delays, we can expect to hear more about this purported Wii version ... sometime this year.

[Via Cubed3]

Jane Jensen's Gray Matter may puzzle Wii owners originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jane Jensen teases Gray Matter with Christmas tale

Jason Dobson — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:15:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, PC, Adventure

Jane Jensen has gift wrapped a bone and tossed it to fans waiting patiently for her next adventure game, Gray Matter. The Gabriel Knight author has released a short Christmas story that serves as a prequel to her oft-delayed project, offering an early look at what the characters have been up to while waiting for their upcoming adventures in pointing and clicking.

As of now, Gray Matter, which was handed over to French developer Wizarbox last September, is still on track for release in 2009. While you continue to wait, check out the story on Jensen's blog, which is available for download in PDF format.

Jane Jensen teases Gray Matter with Christmas tale originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jane Jensen's Gray Matter delayed once more

Jason Dobson — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Adventure

Adventure game fans looking for signs of life in their dwindling genre of choice have a bitter pill to swallow today as Gray Matter, the next adventure game from iconic Gabriel Knight scribe Jane Jensen, has once again been pushed back. She explains on her newly launched Gray Matter blog that the game is bring retooled after changing developers last year, a shift that, according to Jensen, set the project back some 9 months.

Jensen writes that the new developer, Wizarbox, is "raising the quality bar" on the project, the devs having worked in various capacities on a number of titles already, from Nightmare Creatures and Arx Fatalis, to handling programming duties on Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2. Numbing the sting left by the delay somewhat, Jensen also put up some nifty Gray Matter concept art up on the blog as well, adding that going forward she plans to use the site to keep those of us with an itch for pointing and clicking up to speed on the game's progress.

Jane Jensen's Gray Matter delayed once more originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Patterson waxes expansive about 'Woman's Murder Club' game

Kyle Orland — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, PC, Adventure

Gamers around the world have been waiting with bated breath for more information on James Patterson's Woman's Murder Club game since it was announced back in December. OK, they haven't really, but maybe they would if they didn't exclusively pay attention only to games that featured guns, breasts or, er, Nintendo characters.

Patterson, one of the world's best-selling authors, is targeting a decidedly different demographic with his first game. "Look, it strikes me that the video game area is an incredibly lucrative niche market," he told the Hollywood Reporter, "one populated by a small number of boys -- and grownup boys -- who like to shoot things and spend a lot of money. But that excludes most of the universe."

Patterson compared his efforts to reach new gamers to those of Nintendo's Wii, calling the game a "chance to widen the boundaries of what people can do on the small screen ... We're going to give people who don't want to shoot things ... who prefer to use their brains ... a chance to solve a really good mystery." With Gabriel Knight's Jane Jensen at the development helm, we're cautiously optimistic that he can actually pull it off.

Patterson waxes expansive about 'Woman's Murder Club' game originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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