3DO's epic, mature adventure game revisits a classic Biblical story in the present day.
Today 3DO announced Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, a mature multi-platform adventure game set for release in fall 2003. The game throws you into the shoes of the archangel Abaddon, who must use three of God's chosen mortals to combat the Four Horsemen of Apocalypse: War, Death, Famine, and Pestilence. 3DO is utilizing the talents of comic artists Simon Bisley and Dave Devries, plus voice talent from Tim Curry, Lance Henriksen, and Traci Lords. Here's the full press release:
3DO Announces "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse(TM)"
Hollywood's Finest Join World-Famous Artists to Create a Dark Journey
through the End of the World
REDWOOD CITY, CA (August 1, 2002) - The 3DO Company (Nasdaq: THDO) today
announced that it is collaborating with world-famous fantasy and comic book
artist, Simon Bisley, to develop "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" for
Personal Computer, PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo
GameCube(TM), and the Xbox(TM) video game system from Microsoft. A dark
adventure based on the biblical tale of Armageddon, "Four Horsemen of the
Apocalypse" combines the expertise of celebrated artists Simon Bisley and
Dave DeVries with the distinctive voice talents of Tim Curry ("The Hunt for
Red October," "Charlie's Angels," "The Three Musketeers"), Lance Henriksen
("The Right Stuff," "Aliens," "Millennium") and cult film star Traci Lords
("Melrose Place," "Profiler," "First Wave"). The action games are planned
for release in fall 2003.
"With intense action and beautiful style, 'Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse'
combines the abilities of extremely gifted artists, writers, engineers and
actors to create a top-notch horror/action game," said Michael Mendheim,
vice president and creative director, The 3DO Company. "We're adding a
modern, sinister spin on a classic theme, and creating a powerful main
character that players will identify with. We're also going all-out with
mature content mixed with action and violence of Biblical proportions. This
is not your father's video game - it's more like 'The Matrix' meets
'Hellraiser.'"
About "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse"
Set in the present day, the archangel Abaddon faces possessed zealots,
demons, and the daunting powers of the personified plagues of Mankind:
Pestilence, War, Famine and Death. As Abaddon, the player must find the
three "Chosen" and combine their untapped powers in time to save the world
from destruction; but that won't be easy - God's Chosen are mortals, not to
mention they're a prostitute, a serial killer and a corrupt politician.
Hand-to-hand, sword, and projectile combat combine with fantastic abilities
to create a surreal cinematic experience.
The story unfolds via in-game cinematics and "graphic novel" sequences by
Simon Bisley - who is also the title's character designer. These graphic
novel images are displayed on-screen complete with animations, voices and
sound effects - bringing Mr. Bisley's work to life and immersing the player
in the dark underworld of Hell's emissaries.
Features of the game include:
* Incredible gore and destruction effects including dismemberment,
realistic and dynamic exit wounds through objects and people, morph
animations, melting, and blood splatters.
* Diverse weaponry, including swords for melee combat, automatic weapons,
projectiles for ranged combat and magic (slow time), combines into
spectacular cinematic violence.
* Mature content with adult themes, brief nudity and extreme violence.
* Stunning deaths (finishing moves) and Hollywood-style combat moves
choreographed and performed by the Smashcut Action Team ("The Matrix 1-3,"
"Fight Club," "The Crow").
* 18+ levels of photo-realistic play that sweep players through gothic
environments, the post-apocalypse of World War III, and the depths of Hell
itself.
About Simon Bisley
Simon Bisley, world-famous comic book artist, started his career when he
signed up with 2000 AD, a British comic book company, where he was assigned
"ABC Warriors" and "Sláine." Following his success in the U.K., Mr. Bisley
was soon discovered by American comic book publisher DC Comics, and began
his award-winning work on "Lobo," "Batman" and "Judge Dredd." Mr. Bisley
has collaborated on several comic book projects, often as a cover artist,
for highly successful titles such as 'Melting Pot,' "Death Dealer,"
"Aliens," "Bad Boy," "Bodycount," "F.A.K.K. 2," and "Jaguar God." Mr.
Bisley has also provided character design to Hollywood by working with Stan
Winston for "Galaxy Quest" and the "Time Machine" remake as well as
designing the "Heavy Metal 2000" movie and numerous "Heavy Metal" magazine
covers.
About Dave DeVries
A local of West Orange, NJ, Dave DeVries has been illustrating for numerous
companies for 13 years. Over that time, he has worked for various clients,
including DC Comics, Universal Studios, Fleer Trading Cards, Marvel Comics,
Tor books, The 3DO Company, Sega Video Games, Columbia Records and Capitol
Records, and painted all of the Marvel X-Men masterpiece trading cards.
Featured in exhibits, painting demonstrations, and lectures across America,
DeVries currently teaches at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New
York City.
