Reachin Technologies and Frictional Games announces the release of the HaptX™ enabled version of Penumbra: Overture - Episode One
Stockholm, Sweden August 20, 2007 - Reachin Technologies and Frictional Games announces the release of the HaptX enabled version of Penumbra: Overture - Episode 1. Penumbra: Overture is a first person adventure game which focuses on story, immersion and puzzles. Instead of using violence to progress the player has to use his/her wits to guide the main character Philip on his quest to unravel the past. HaptX is a state-of-the art Haptics Engine, enabling the game player to actually feel and physically interact with the game environment and everything that he or she sees on screen.
"We immediately saw the huge potential of using HaptX in Penumbra Overture as soon as game was initially released. The actual game play, based on exploration, immersion and puzzles along with the extensive use of physics was a perfect fit for giving the player the means of physically interacting and experiencing the environment. I definitely feel that we have established a new milestone within computer games and how these are experienced", says Mats Lordin, CEO of Reachin Technologies. ""We thought that HaptX combined with the Novint Falcon would fit very well with game-play mechanics of Penumbra: Overture. Since the start of the project we always thought the mouse lacked one dimension, and now we can get that along with a sense of touch as well, which is really cool", says Thomas Grip, co-founder of Frictional Games.
The new release of Penumbra Overture - Episode One will be displayed at GC Leipzig (August 23 - 26) and at the Tokyo Game Show (September 20 - 23). The game will soon also be available for purchase to owners of the Novint Falcon ( www.novint.com).
About HaptX - ( www.haptx.com)
HaptX provides the ability to feel computer generated objects on screen through specialized hardware such as the Novint Falcon. HaptX enables the player of the game to feel the details of the objects actual attributes such as surface textures, material characteristics and weight in an unprecedented realistic way. It also allows the user to physically experience any game in genuine 3D since all objects can be touched and sensed freely in all three dimensions including the ability to touch and feel the top, bottom or the back side of any object. HaptX integrates seamlessly with existing game and physics engines and presents endless exciting new possibilities in terms of the user experience and the intrigues and plots that can be created in both existing games as well as games of the future.
About Penumbra: Overture - ( www.penumbra-overture.com)
Played from a first person viewpoint, Penumbra is very different from other adventure games. Not only is it powered by a 3D engine utilizing cutting edge technology, it also has an advanced physics system which allow for a never before seen environment interaction. The player can open drawers, pull levers, pick up objects and more using natural 3D device movements, creating a unique and highly interactive and immersive game world.
About Reachin Technologies
Reachin Technologies has developed state-of-the-art haptic enabled tools and applications since its inception in 1997. The company, based in Stockholm, Sweden, has extensive experience within MediTech and advanced R&D world wide. The company's newly released product HaptX embeds 10 years of development and know-how into a product and technology now available for the consumer entertainment market.
About Frictional Games
Frictional Games is a Swedish game developer with focus on creating innovative titles using their own IP and technology. Founded in 2006, Frictional Games has so far released Penumbra: Overture which was praised for its creative use of physics and strong horror atmosphere.
Exhibitions and Events
HaptX and Penumbra Overture will be exhibited and displayed to the public at GC Leipzig (Leipzig, Germany, August 23 - 26) and Tokyo Game Show (Tokyo, Japan, September 20 - 23).
For more information on HaptX please visit www.haptx.com. For further information on Penumbra Overture please visit www.penumbra-overture.com. For further enquiries on this press release, images, trailers and demos, please feel free to contact me personally.
Karin Papp
Office Assistant
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Reachin Technologies AB
Förmansvägen 11
117 43 Stockholm, Sweden
Office: +46-8-556 766 20
karin.papp@reachin.se