Force majeure 2: The Zone (January 5: New update available)

[simulacra]

You are the sole survivor of an unknown catastrophe, trapped in an air-raid shelter. Escaping your confinement, you face a delusional reality known only as the Zone â€" a place where your own mind is your enemy. The city is in ruins: explore a dreamy landscape through the eyes of a lone wanderer trying to piece together fragments of the past.



Force majeure II: The Zone is an audio-visual interactive story/adventure game by Leo Nordwall set in a ruined city where everything seems uncertain. The Zone is experienced from a first-person perspective and is navigated by pointing-and-clicking. Photos, drawings, 3D renderings and live video footage have been integrated into a unique visual experience. The soundtrack is over 70 minutes long and features new tracks in the tradition of electro-acoustic music, ambient and electronica.

While there are plenty of interactive works and games that entertain by providing puzzle solving, action and slapstick humour, the Zone is all about exploring the unknown territories of the mind. If you feel that issues such as philosophy, poetry, metaphysics and art is your cup of tea, the story might interest you. If not, the irreal meanderings of the Zone is best left alone.

Force majeure: The Zone is produced by Leo Nordwall in cooperation with Interacting Arts and Fabel Förlag.


Features

• Enjoy an emotional, philosophical and metaphysical experience
• Explore more than 60 locations
• Listen to over 70 minutes of soundtrack in CD-quality
• See several minutes of live video footage
• Independently produced

Game web site with demos, updates, screenshots, free music and video downloads: http://interactingarts.org/thezone/



Screenshots


First encounter


The Concrete Ziggurat


Our special place


Inside the old laboratory


Answering the phone


Rendezvous


Exploring the ruins


Printer problems


Rendezvous II


A dangerous Zone dweller

[MrColossal]

Woot, glad to see this finally done!

I saw the locked thread on the GiP forum and I was like "Oh no! Don't tell me his harddrive crashed or something!"

But lo and behold, as you know, it didn't!

Good luck!

[edmundito]

So, what exactly are the details of distribution? Looks like there is a swedish version, though I don't speak swedish. Will there be some kind of demo?

[Nikolas]

So, what exactly are the details of distribution? Looks like there is a swedish version, though I don't speak swedish. Will there be some kind of demo?

And a simmilar question: I don't see any download link. But I did notice on the site the order button. Can I assume that we can buy this game?

Edit: Forgot the most important thing:

WHAT AN AMZING GAME THIS SEEMS! Judging from the screenshots and the music this is one heck of a game!

[simulacra]

So, what exactly are the details of distribution? Looks like there is a swedish version, though I don't speak swedish. Will there be some kind of demo?

The "Swedish" version is actually an English version in a Swedish box. It is released as part of a mini-book series on storytelling. This book is representing interactive storytelling. I am also working on a downloadable version for those of you who do not want to order a CD from Sweden.

I am considering to make a mini-demo of the story. It's quite hard to do since the beginning of the storyline isn't too representative of the story as whole, but I guess I'll work something out.

[simulacra]

And a simmilar question: I don't see any download link. But I did notice on the site the order button. Can I assume that we can buy this game?

Edit: Forgot the most important thing:

WHAT AN AMZING GAME THIS SEEMS! Judging from the screenshots and the music this is one heck of a game!

Why, thanks! I put a lot of effort into this one and I hope people will like it, despite being something different.

The game is not free, unfortunately. It was not simply sustainable to spend so much time on producing this and not financing the costs somehow, being a poor graphical design/artist guy.

I am also curious too see if this model works for making games. I do not think that it will be profitable, but I'd be happy if some costs were covered. In that case, more cheap games could be produced.

[Barbarian]

The "Swedish" version is actually an English version in a Swedish box. It is released as part of a mini-book series on storytelling.

Congrats on finally completing your long-worked-on project.
I've been following your WIP thread for a while, and it caught my interest.

Perhaps a friendly comment/suggestion regarding the download page on your site, now, for me, as a mainly English speaking/reading person, when your download page only offers a version and description of "Swedish CD edition", and there is nothing to indicate that the game is presendted in an English format as well, then you're probably going to be losing tons of potential sales of any English readers to your site who, like me, do not know how to speak/read Swedish.   When I see "Swedish CD edition", then I'm inclined to think it's JUST in the Swedish language. So, you may consider putting some note there somewhere to clerify that "This version is also presented in the English language", or whatever, to let your visitors know that yes in fact your game does have English and not just Swedish.

Well, I dunno, it's just a thought.  If you clearify things more on your site, and maybe make a downloadable version (in English) available, I might go ahead and buy a copy myself. 

[simulacra]

Very good point. Thank you for commenting on this.

[Edmundo (at work)]

I am also curious too see if this model works for making games. I do not think that it will be profitable, but I'd be happy if some costs were covered. In that case, more cheap games could be produced.

You might be interested in reading some of this as well:
Part 1: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/issue/8/3
Part 2: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/issue/9/4

[Nikolas]

Can I ask, who's written the music?

Most interesting...

[Jhumjhum]

Hi! Congrats on making such a high class game. The screenies remind me of "I  have no mouth & I must scream".

In your order page, there is a line: "International downloadable web edition
Not yet available"

Is it going to be available soon? Is it the full downloadable english version for everyone?

Cheers!

[Candle]

Looks cool . good luck with the game selling.

[Ubel]

This looks really nice! I may even buy a copy myself later.

[simulacra]

I am also curious too see if this model works for making games. I do not think that it will be profitable, but I'd be happy if some costs were covered. In that case, more cheap games could be produced.

You might be interested in reading some of this as well:
Part 1: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/issue/8/3
Part 2: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/issue/9/4

Yes,  have read those. Very interesting thoughts. I am actually going to host a conference in Stockholm this friday on this subject, with over 100 people from the game industry (such as the CEO of DICE) as well as the cultural minister. Things seems to be moving!

Can I ask, who's written the music?

I wrote the music.

Hi! Congrats on making such a high class game. The screenies remind me of "I have no mouth & I must scream".

In your order page, there is a line: "International downloadable web edition
Not yet available"

Is it going to be available soon? Is it the full downloadable english version for everyone?

Why, thanks!

A downloadable version is going to available soon. There are some things to sort out first, but it should be available within a month. I'm sorry the web page isn't very clear on this point: the "Swedish version" is actually an English in a Swedish packaging.

[Goldmund]

Do you mean it's going to be available for free?
I have an utmost interest in this game.

[Ozzie]

No, it rather likely means that you are going to be able to download it.

When you've paid for it.

[simulacra]

Do you mean it's going to be available for free?
I have an utmost interest in this game.

Unfortunately not. But a free shorter demo version is in the making.

[simulacra]

Those of you who live in Finland has the opportunity to try The Zone at the Nordic art exhibition Live Herring in Jyväskylä, November 17-20. I think this is the first time an AGS game is presented at an art exhibition.

Welcome!

http://www.liveherring.org/

[Janik]

Looks nice! How much is the downloadable version going to cost?

[simulacra]

Approximately â,¬ 15-16.

[simulacra]

The downloadable web edition has been released and is available on the game web site and on the Zone Lulu Store. Soon, a CD version for the North American region will be available as well. Also updated the game web site with user responses and other goodies.

Right on!   

[Goldmund]

I think that you should release some kind of demo, or a more down-to-earth trailer (showing some of the gameplay).

I'm very interested in this game and I consider buying it on CD once you release it (if only for the beautiful design of the cover - the CDs will have cases, I hope? - and the atmospheric soundtrack), but of all the cool things surrounding your project (trailer, screens, etc.) I still don't have the faintest idea of what to expect from the game itself. How do I play it?

Or maybe I'll wait for some reviews...

[simulacra]

It's great to hear that you are interested in the project. You are absolutely right, a demo is necessary and in the making. I'm also working on the CD designs - there will be covers and such, of course.

[simulacra]

Two demo versions have been released! A regular demo and a demo with some features disabled to reduce download size.

Check it out:
http://interactingarts.org/thezone/downloads.html

These are quite short, but should give you an idea of the atmosphere of the Zone. The demo is quite linear (though the Zone is not) and has a different ending than the full game.

... and please tell me if there are any problems with the demo version. Thank you.

[Pet Terry]

Wow.

I'm definately doing my best to buy the cd-version. The demo was really interesting, I loved the atmosphere.

I'll have to see if I'm able to order stuff from outside of Finland. I reeeeaally want to buy this game. And if I can't, I'm hoping to buy a copy from you at Lapaset!

[simulacra]

There are actually two CD versions. One is printed in Sweden by Fabel Förlag and has Swedish packaging (though the Zone is in English) and the other is printed in the US by Lulu. I just have to finish design work for two books, then there'll be a US/International CD version as well.

And thank you for the response. Warms my heart to know that all the effort was not in vain.

[Ubel]

I just tried the demo... God damn awesome job you have done there! It was a good idea to release a demo. It sure got my interests up!

You bring a copy to Lapaset (if you're coming) for me to buy!

[simulacra]

Yes, I should have thought of that from the beginning. The only thing I have against the demo is that it's very linear compared to the game itself.

[simulacra]

Five copies of the Zone are given away. :o Please check web site for details on how to get your free copy of the Zone.

http://www.interactingarts.org/thezone/

[Barbarian]

I filled out the form for your give-away contest, but when I click on the "Send" button, nothing seems to happen.

Anyways, good luck with the game. From what I seen of it thus far, it looks fantastic.

[simulacra]

Thanks for pointing this out.

Wierd, when I try it out it does work. We have had some DNS troubles with this site and I know how to fix it, but the guy who has the passwords ran off to Istanbul a couple of months ago. Unless he cares to return soon and there still are problems with the form, please send your submissions to:

thezone@verkligheter.se

[lakerz]

I played through the full demo.  I'm liking it so far.  The music is especially mysterious.  Waiting to see how much the total cost is for the game + shipping to US.

[mnemonics]

Purchased the download version of the game and boy was I impressed.  Fantastic job Leo!  I submitted a review under the The Zone page on AGS with more more detail.  I would highly recommend this to those of you who are interested, you will not be disappointed.  A truly unique experience.  I hope to see more from Leo. 

By the way, Leo, what external software did you use in the game's production? 

[simulacra]

Thank you for the feedback! That was really encouraging.

I used a quite variety of productions softwares aside from AGS when making the Zone: Adobe Photoshop, Inno Setup Compiler, Sound Forge, Adobe Premiere, iMovie, Adobe Illustrator, Bryce, IconDeveloper, RAD Video Tools and Tsunami MPEG Encoder. I also used Macromedia Dreamweaver and Adobe ImageReady for making the web site.

And I am still working on the CD version, but has gotten the flu or something lately.

[Andail]

It's a very intruiging and original story, but it's a tad too little gameplay for me, and too much story.
Still, great photo, great music, great atmosphere. Good job!

PS:
The whistle song is nice (the theme song), is there a clean version without the background noise, pray?

[simulacra]

Thanks!

I guess the Zone more or less is the story, though I have new idea in mind where the gameplay and story would merge in a more smooth manner. Perhaps you'd like that better if I finish it.

There is no clear version of that song as it is sampled from an obscure track that was released in the 1920s. The whistling emerged out of an otherwise happy song and touched something inside me, so I decided to revive it. The version in the Zone has undergone serious noise reduction, and I think that is as good as it gets.

[sergiocornaga]

Huh. According to Adventure Gamers this game is still in production.

[Candle]

Huh. According to Adventure Gamers this game is still in production.

Your just stuck in the Adventure Gamers time zone.

[simulacra]

Yep.

I have contacted them and asked them to update, but so far no update.

[cjhrules]

Well I have tried you demo and I must say it has a very nice atmosphere!
i have ordered a copy from fabel förlag ( I also live in sweden ) as a chrismats present for my girlfriend so we can play together.... Bra jobbat!!!

[simulacra]

The new update adds a new area to explore as well as a few new artifacts to discover. It also fixes a number of bugs present in the first release of The Zone.

Get the update at The Zone web site

- - -

And for those who live in Sweden, you might be interested in knowing that The Zone was featured in Swedish television. The series "Design 365" features various objects that are considered being examples of good (and scandinavian) design. Day number 362, this object was the boxed book series in which the Zone was released. (And I also did the graphical design for the box. )

http://svt.se/svt/jsp/Crosslink.jsp?d=43444&a=500815

If you think the design looks good, you are welcome to vote for the Zone (which is part of BerättarBoxen) as the best design object of December 2005.