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March 2012

Interview with 3D Artist, Josh

We interviewed one of our awesome 3D artists, Josh!

 

Her Interactive: How long have you worked at Her Interactive?

Josh: It will be 6 years this July.

Her Interactive: How did you get into the game industry?

Josh: I’ve had a game system in my home since I can remember, so it’s always been an interest of mine. I took every chance I had to work around games. The art aspect always interested me the most, and I loved drawing, so when I had the chance, I decided to move out West and go to art school. After graduating, a friend of mine told me about a possible 3 month contract at Her Interactive for localization. I jumped at the chance to finally work at a video game company, and one thing lead to another. So after the contract, I stuck around!

Her Interactive: What was your favorite environment to work on?

Josh: The courtyard in The Captive Curse is one of my favorites. I just really liked the setting - nice and moody. At least, I hope it turned out that way!

Her Interactive: Is there an environment you’d like to create in the future?

Josh: I have always admired the architecture in London, so maybe a London street during the Victorian period.

Her Interactive: Name one environment and/or object you created and tell us a little about it.

Josh: Well I don’t want to say too much about TMB, but I did make the scene that shows up on the title screen that’s been shown. I don’t want to give away anything, but… things happen in there!

 

TMB Title Screen

Her Interactive: If you were the main character of a video game, who would you be and what is your story or mission?

Josh: I would probably be a Knight, and have to go on a long quest to save the world! That’s what most video game artists do on their off time.

Her Interactive: If you could travel to any place, either real or fictional, where would it be? What would you do there?

Josh: I’d have to go to one of the worlds from a Final Fantasy game. Once there, I would have to learn some magic and try not to set myself on fire.

Her Interactive: What is your favorite movie?

Josh: Transformers: The Movie, the animated one from 1986. I watched it about 200 times as a kid, and will probably never watch another movie that many times. I also have transformers covering my desk here.

Thanks Josh for creating those awesome environments, we are looking forward to seeing all of your work in Tomb of the Lost Queen!

Tomb of the Lost Queen Cover Art

The official box art for Tomb of the Lost Queen is now released! The marketing department and artists have been working hard these past few months to prepare for you this masterpiece. As seen below, we wanted to go for a spooky and beautiful combination. While the bright colors of the queen's attire and makeup draws you to the detail and intricacy of her royal headdress and gazing eyes, the creepy transition to her right side portrays her mummified state. It's almost as if her death calls out to you, beckoning you to learn more about her and her secrets that she has kept hidden for so long, protected by dangerous elements.

TMB Cover Art

The scarab beetle that represented rebirth to the ancient Egyptians crawls along the edge of the coffin near the gold ankh, and the alert Egyptian cobra in the back slithers around the tomb, guarding the queen's final resting place with determination.

Below the title lays the modern-day dig site and encampment. In the middle of the dessert the tomb entrance has been revealed, once buried in sand, now appears ominous and intriguing at the same time. What could be hiding behind the threshold of thousands of years' history? Only the truly brave shall venture into the ground, into the past, and into the dangerous minds of clever royal Egyptians in Tomb of the Lost Queen.

Pre-orders begin April 3rd, 2012.

Official release date is May 8th, 2012.

New User Interface!

Nancy has started many of her cases at her desk, her center of operations, where you get to learn about how to play the game and where you first learn about the mystery. Now, with the release of Tomb of the Lost Queen, we are excited to announce a new UI! Check out the before and after shots between the UI in Alibi in Ashes, and the new UI comparison below.

Old Main Screen:

ASH Main Desk

Here is Nancy's Center of operations. How many times have you heard her say that? To begin your game, you had to click on the plane ticket or clue to start your case. Your inventory is accessed by clicking on the brown bag at the far left bottom of your screen, which is next to the journal. Your task list (if you play Junior Level) is in between the journal and your cell phone. Nancy's words (when she's talking to herself or when sound effects are shown) are displayed in the center on the black background. The black background completely surrounds the game play screen. On the bottom right you can find the Options button, the Load game, Save game, and Exit button. Have you ever accidently hit quit before saving?

New Main Screen:

TMB Main Screen

Here is the new main screen that you first arrive at! To show off a cool screenshot, we filled in the screen space, so that there is no black surrounding all sides except for the base where we introduce you to your options. It is more clear and simple to read and understand the game options since they are now in written form, rather than images you need to hover over.

Old Difficulty Screen:

ASH Game Difficulty

Once you clicked on your ticket, or clue in Alibi in Ashes, you are presented with the option of game play level. The police badges display Junior or Senior level.

New Difficulty Screen:

TMB Difficulty

In Tomb of the Lost Queen, once you click on "New Game" you are taken to the game difficulty options. You have a pair of magnifying glasses to choose from: Junior Level will now be "Amateur Sleuth", after all that is what Nancy calls herself often, and Senior Detective will now be "Master Sleuth." The differences are listed in the charts seen in the image above.

Old Options Menu:

Remember the options menu (clicking on the gear icon) in Alibi in Ashes?

ASH Options

New Options Screen:

TMB Options Menu

We have made a new menu bar where you can find all the buttons you need! By clicking on the magnifying glass "Menu" at the bottom left of your screen, you can save, load, exit, get help, adjust your options, and return to the main menu. No more accidently hitting the "Exit" button!

This new wood grain tool bar at the base of your screen displays, of course, the magnifying glass Menu button, then your cell phone on the left. In the center is your quick and easy-to-access inventory, where you can slide back and forth to see everything you have collected. Above your inventory is a black bar where you can read sound effects and Nancy's words when she talks to herself. To the right on the tool bar is your journal and task list, which rolls upwards for a better view, and then tucks back into the tool bar when you are finished. The task list has a special feature: when you check off a task, the finished tasks gravitates to the bottom, making room for the remaining tasks you have yet to complete at the top.

How do you like the new user interface? Stay tuned for the release of Tomb of the Lost Queen to experience this new update yourself! Happy Sleuthing!

Rachel -- Rest in Peace

Her Interactive has lost a huge Nancy Drew fan in Rachel Vaughn. Today, Rachel passed away at 17 due to Kidney Cancer. Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, we were able to meet Rachel and make some of her wishes come true. Tomb of the Lost Queen will be dedicated to Rachel and you will see pictures of her in the game. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time.

Interview with IT Admin, Larry

We interviewed our IT administrator, Larry! He makes sure all of our computers, servers, software and everything technical works properly and is kept up to date. We can't do what we do without him!

Her Interactive: How long have you worked at Her Interactive?

Larry: I started on a “snow day” in November 2010. Me and my manager were the only people to come in that day, lol. Previously, I worked in the finance and aerospace industires. The game industry is totally new to me.

Her Interactive: If you could invent a gadget or machine, what would it be called and what would it do?

Larry: The Ronco Personal Teleporter-O’matic…self explanatory :)

 

Her Interactive: If you could travel anywhere and do anything, where would you go and what would you do?  

Larry: If by “do anything” you’re implying guaranteed success, then go to Nepal and Climb Mt. Everest

Her Interactive: If you were the main character of a video game, who would you be and what is your story or mission?

Larry: It would definitely be an auto racing game…I’d be a driver on the F1 circuit.

Her Interactive: What is your favorite Ice Cream Flavor? Either in real life or from the ice cream parlor in Alibi in Ashes?

Larry: Minty Madness aka Mint Chip Ice Cream.

Her Interactive: What is your favorite movie?

Larry: Really tough question. I can’t get pick an order of my top 5.  Goodfellas, Airplane, The Godfather, The Matrix, Apocalypse Now.

Her Interactive: Do you have a favorite saying or quote?

Larry: “Stop thinking...let things happen...and be...the ball.”

Her Interactive: If you attended a murder mystery dinner party, which character would you most likely be?

·         The Culprit

·         The Victim

·         The Innocent Dinner Guest

·         The Inspector

Larry: The Innocent Dinner Guest

 

-Thank you Larry for taking the time to share with us!

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