He's not all ladies-with-funny-smiles, apparently.
February 15, 2006
[This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Game Developer and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press]
Author: Nobilis
A major co-production between Nobilis, Elektrogames, TOTM Studio, Kheops Studio, Mzone Studio, in collaboration with the Chteau du Clos Lucé, The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript is due for release on PC in April 2006
LEONARDO DA VINCI
The Italian artist and inventor was born in Tuscany in 1452. At the age of 15, he joined the Verrochio workshop where he trained in a range of disciplines (painting, sculpture, mathematics, decorative work). In 1481, Leonardo left Florence for Milan, where he stayed until 1499. From 1506, he divided his time between Milan and Florence. In 1516, he accepted the invitation of François I, king of France, to move to the Manoir du Cloux, near Ambroise, now known as Chteau du Clos Lucé, where he was named "chief artist, engineer, and architect to the King". In His Majesty's own words: "You will be free here to dream, think and work." Leonardo da Vinci died in 1519 and bequeathed all his technical notes to Francesco Melzi, his pupil and faithful companion, so that they might be published and made useful to as many people as possible.
STORY
Valdo, an ambitious young apprentice working for Da Vinci's disciple Francesco Melzi, is extremely disappointed when the scholar suddenly dismisses him. However, shortly afterwards, he receives a letter from a mysterious patron, asking him to locate one of the great master's missing codices. To access Da Vinci's last residence, the Manoir du Cloux near Ambroise, Valdo tells its new occupant, a courtesan by the name of Babou de la Bourdaisière, that he is Francesco Melzi's apprentice and that he wishes to examine the inventions that still remain on the estate.
Under this cover, he starts to scour the estate: Babou's bedroom, Leonardo's workshop, the grounds, and dovecot, leaving no stone unturned. In the course of his investigations, he encounters a wide array of intriguing characters: Babou herself, Saturnin, a suspicious looking guardian, and the King of France himself. To accomplish his mission, he has to solve a series of enigmas devised by the great master himself if Da Vinci's inventions are to function again. On the trail of the genius, Valdo is no more aware of the secrets he is about to unveil as of the danger lurking in the dark.
FEATURES
- Total immersion guaranteed, through atmosphere, soundtrack and perfect modelisation of historic locations, such as the Manoir du Cloux, Leonardo da Vinci's workshop and the Chteau d'Amboise.
- A gripping, non-linear and complex plot, based on historical facts and extensive research.
- Meticulously detailed graphics with a total respect for history. Perfect reproductions of works, decors and clothing, recreated in collaboration with experts, including the management of the Chteau du Clos Lucé.
- Complex characters with distinct personalities and hidden dimensions: Valdo, Saturnin, François I, Babou de la Bourdaisière, Hector... and Leonardo da Vinci himself.
- The game's 14 chapters lead deep into the heart of the Great Master's Secret.
- Dozens of puzzles, based on Da Vinci's own work, requiring logical deduction and scientific knowledge.
- An interactive inventory system for collectables ensure a game that is easy to pick up.
- A Good and Evil gauge system: the player develops throughout the game adopting a positive or negative stance. According to the choices they make, players discover one of four possible endings.
- The portfolio, a game within a game, used by players to store manuscripts found along the way for printing, giving access to puzzles and clues.
- The player also has a journal to keep track of objectives, sketch the characters encountered and note down impressions about them.
- The developers' renowned savoir-faire. Their list of previous productions includes Return to Mysterious Island, Journey to the Moon, Secret of the Lost Cavern.
- The Secrets of Da Vinci: the Forbidden Manuscript is a quest back through time in search of jealously protected manuscripts.
In exclusive partnership with the Chteau du Clos Lucé - Parc Leonardo Da Vinci
The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript was developed in exclusive partnership with the Chteau du Clos Lucé (formerly the Manoir du Cloux), Leonardo da Vinci's last residence. The Clos Lucé is today listed among France's most famous monuments. The involvement of the estate's owners guarantees the utmost historical respect of the game, and has enabled perfect modelisation of the estate and Da Vinci's work.
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Co-producers: Nobilis, Elektrogames, TOTM Studio, Kheops Studio, Mzone Studio
- Publisher : Nobilis
- Release date : 21st April 2006
- Format : PC
- Genre : Point & Click Adventure
- RRP : 39.99
- Age rating : +7 (TBC)
- 1 player
- Minimum system requirements: Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP - Pentium III 888 Mhz - 64 MB of Ram - 1.2 GB of free space one hard drive - CD-ROM 16x - 64MB video card (compatible DirectX 9)
DISTRIBUTOR PRESS CONTACT : ************************
CLOS LUCE PRESS CONTACT :
Catherine Simon Marion - Communication Manager - +33 2 47 57 55 78 - +33 6 60 65 15 31 - [email protected]
Arnaud Glize - +33 2 47 57 55 78 - [email protected]
About Nobilis
Founded in 2001 in France (Lyon), Nobilis Group is a videogames publishing and distribution company. Nobilis distributes videogames on PC, XboxTM, PlayStation2, PSPTM, GameCubeTM Nintendo DSTM and Game BoyAdvance.
Its subsidiary companies are based in France (Nobilis France in Lyon), in Spain/Portugal (Nobilis Iberica in Madrid) and in Belgium/Netherlands/Luxemburg (Nobilis Benelux).
Among its partners, Nobilis distributes : Agetec, Aspyr, Capcom, Cenega, Davilex, DreamCatcher, Enlight Software, Focus, Frogwares, GMX Media, HD Interactive, IA Vision, Ignition, JoWood, Lago, Monte Cristo, Paradox, Project Three Interactive, Ubi Soft, Zoo Digital... and Radica, one of the world's largest manufacturers of Video Game Accessories (Gamester brand).
For more information: www.nobilis-france.com
About Elektrogames
Founded in 2003, ElektroGames is the first independent videogame producer in FranceElektroGames initiates new projects with the most well known development studio, gathers several investors into a co production funding, follows up the development life cycle, identifies the best commercial partners and support the title through special operations. Elektrogames also uses to invest on external productions with co publishing partners.
Official web site : www.elektrogames.com
About Kheops Studio:
Kheops Studio is an independent video games developer, created in 2003. Kheops Studio is specialized in adventure games on PC and has developed more particularly: The Egyptian Prophecy, Return to Mysterious Island, Echo: Secrets of the Lost Cavern, Voyage: Inspired by Jules Verne.
Official Web Site: www.kheops-studio.com
About Mzone Studio:
Founded in 2001 at Pornic, France, Mzone Studio is a company specialized in CGI production for the video game industry. The team of Mzone Studio worked on various titles, more particularly on: The Egyptian Prophecy, Return to Mysterious Island, Echo: Secrets of the Lost Cavern, Voyage: Inspired by Jules Verne.
Official Web site: www.mzonestudio.com/
About TOTM Studio:
Founded in May 2005, TOTM Studio is a company specialized in the conception and the production of adventure games. Learning on the experience of our team in this domain, we propose and explore themes (Echo, Leonardo da Vinci) with strong gameplay and historic potential.
Official Web Site: www.Totm-Studio.fr
About The Castle of The Clos Luce:
This is in the Chateau du Clos Lucé, on the invitation of King Francis I that Leonardo da Vinci lived the last years of his life, working in its thousand of passions. Today, the Chateau du Clos Lucé, dedicated to the restoration of the universes of Leonardo de Vinci in all its truths, invites the visitor to enter its everyday life and to discover forty of its fabulous inventions. In the Park, 16 gigantic machines, 32 translucent paintings and 8 sound points allow to understand Leonardo as a painter, engineer, architect, botanist, and brilliant inventor.
Official Web Site: www.vinci-closluce.com
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