Another track yet the call to detectives

In a difficult phase for the French video games, Lexis Numérique Editor attempts to an original approach. Created in 1990, this independent studio (45 people) launched late September "In Memoriam - the last ritual", second opus in a series developed in 2003 and sold 300,000 best in the world. On bottom of esotericism and Templars, this set of roles and police riddles is a UFO in the universe of the games, as he shrewdly mixes fiction and reality and can deploy different types of strategy to overcome the hardships imposed by a serial killer.

The "hardcore gamer" will have only one approach: try to discover the puzzle in record time. The less hard player on the other hand a lot of opportunities. It may try to find clues in approximately 200 volunteers participating in this adventure Web sites. Another track is to analyze hundreds of e-mail messages sent automatically by the editor. The player also has the possibility to be assisted by the game characters that send him SMS (charged option 1.5 euro for a whole part).

"With SMS, the game enters your life." "You have the impression of participating in a real survey which you are a little hero," said Eric Viennot, Creative Director and co-founder of Lexis. Another track yet: the call to "detectives". Interpreted by actors, they give some clues to the telephone (non-freephone calls). According to Eric Viennot, this option "surprise the players, because they did not imagine that it can go so far in the immersion."

Finally, a site was created to allow the players arrived at the same level of Exchange pipes or reflections. "We have also implemented a custom help system, adds Eric Viennot. If you have not successfully such Enigma in thirty minutes, a Wizard of inquiry at the same time send a further clue.

Mobile version

With this game, this former Professor of fine arts seeks to stand out "from the wait sector policy on adaptations of films in games or suites. The bet seems to be won. On the first opus, the editor has identified approximately 40 of women among the players, or even couples. According to the studio, the second title is already in the Top 20 sales of prepared by GfK PC games.

Digital Lexis realized a turnover of 2.2 million last year and plans to produce 3 million euros this year. The young company is poised to launch in early 2007 a mobile version of the game. "As for the Edition PC, the player can also receive SMS messages and find clues on websites." But the big news will be geolocation, limited to Paris. According to the place where it is, the person who will be agreed in advance will enter into relationship with characters of the game which will indicate to missions. "This game of track will be a new way to play on mobile," said Eric Viennot.

Lexis currently discussed with Bouygues Telecom, but there will be no exclusivity with an operator. Longer term, a television with a declination of interactive fiction may be considered.