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‘Her Story’ Video Game Created in Port...

‘Her Story’ Video Game Created in Portsmouth by Sam Barlow

Innovation in video games is pushing out in many different directions at the moment, with heavy investment in new technology such as virtual reality, processor and graphics hardware heavy visuals & more but sometimes it is the innovation in game design and narrative concepts that create a buzz online and make for a successful game. Rather than looking in to a sci-fi future on radioactive landscapes or battlefields, how about becoming an investigator looking at the case of a missing person from over 20 years ago, just relying on the evidence recorded back then plus the VHS interview tapes?

Sam Barlow, writer and lead designer of Silent Hill: Shattered Memories and Aisle launched his first independent title, Her Story, last week. Her Story is Barlow’s first release after going independent in 2014. Playing like an interactive true crime documentary, the game lets you go hands-on with a police database full of live action video footage. It stars Viva Seifert, actress and one half of the band Joe Gideon and the Shark. If you are fan of TV detective dramas or the fly-on-the-wall documentaries, this gives you the chance to try out your skills as a detective.

Her Story was passed through the Steam Greenlight process in only two weeks and has since received the backing of the prestigious Indie Fund. With its innovative use of video and a non-linear narrative, Her Story is one of 2015’s most original video games. Already the film has gained very positive coverage in the national press, is an Editor’s Choice in Apple’s App Store is is getting some great reviews.

The gameplay of Her Story sits players in front of a mothballed desktop computer and logs them into a police database. They search through hundreds of video clips that cover seven interviews from 1994 in which a British woman is interviewed about her missing husband. Players explore the database by typing search terms then watch the clips where she speaks those words and piece together her story.

“I’m excited for players to finally get their hands on the game and lose themselves in the many layers of Her Story…This is a game that puts you in the mindset of a detective — players will experience the eureka moments, the frustrations and the curve balls of a cold case mystery firsthand…As they piece together this story I hope players will come to understand and empathize with the woman telling it. This is a video game where the most important skill is the ability to listen.” – Sam Barlow

You can buy the game on a number of different platforms, the PC and Mac version of Her Story can be purchased on Steam, directly from the game’s website and from the Humble Store.

The iPad and iPhone versions of Her Story are available to buy on the App Store.

Find out more about the game at:

herstorygame.com

'Her Story' Video Game Created in Portsmouth by Sam Barlow (1)

'Her Story' Video Game Created in Portsmouth by Sam Barlow (2)

'Her Story' Video Game Created in Portsmouth by Sam Barlow (3)

'Her Story' Video Game Created in Portsmouth by Sam Barlow (4)


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