The 11th Hour (video game)

Infobox VG| title = The 11th Hour


developer = Trilobyte
publisher = Virgin Interactive
series = The 7th Guest
designer =
engine = Groovie [http://code.google.com/p/t7gre/ "t7gre"] at "Google Code"]
released = Windows: November 30, 1995

DOS: December 13, 1995

MAC: August 9, 1997
genre = Puzzle
modes = Single player
ratings = BBFC: 18
ESRB: Mature
platforms = DOS, Microsoft Windows, Macintosh
media = CD-ROM
requirements =
input = Keyboard and mouse

"The 11th Hour" is a 1995 puzzle computer game with a horror setting. It is the sequel to the 1992 game "The 7th Guest". It was developed by Trilobyte and used a later version of the "Groovie" graphic engine than that used by "The 7th Guest". Like its predecessor game, "The 11th Hour" features the music of George "The Fat Man" Sanger and Team Fat.

Description

The game takes place 70 years after the events of the first game. It is now 1995 and the player, as Carl Denning Jr., is an investigative reporter for the television series "Case Unsolved." Robin Morales, his producer and lover, has mysteriously vanished while gathering background information surrounding a series of grisly murders and disappearances in the otherwise quiet little town of Harley on the Hudson. Denning's only solid lead is a portable computer called the Game Book which was delivered to him — postmarked Harley, NY. It may have been sent by Robin. Or perhaps it is the evil handiwork of Stauf himself, updating his craft to meet the demands of the '90s.

Overall, the game plays exactly like its predecessor with the same puzzle-based game play structure. However, the game took on a radically new direction in terms of story and adult themes. Scenes depicting Robin Morales's romantic involvement with Denning are present, as well as other violent, gruesome, and disturbing scenes. The game has a much darker and mature atmosphere compared to "The 7th Guest".

Release

"The 11th Hour" was very late to market and failed to meet sales expectations upon its release. Also, at the time, Microsoft Windows had become the standard gaming platform for PCs; however, the first release of the game was made specifically for MS-DOS, resulting in many customers being unable to play it properly. Early into its development, a port to the 3DO was planned, but this was ultimately cancelled.

Awards

"The 11th Hour" won the following awards:
* 1995 New Media Invision Awards- Gold-Games Strategy/Puzzle
* 1995 New Media Invision Awards- Bronze-Consumer Interactive Movies
* 1995 International Cindy Competition- Honorable Mention - Consumer Games
* 1995 CD-ROM Today "Rommie" Awards- Best Graphic Adventure

Trivia

* Stauf is an anagram for Faust.
* The makers of the game originally intended for it to contain more adult content in its cut scenes; the script for the game (published as part of a walk-through guide) included several R-rated sex scenes. Rumors immediately surfaced that an "uncut" version of "11th Hour" existed, leading to the game makers announcing that the R-rated sequences, though planned, were never filmed.

References

External links

*moby game|id=/11th-hour|name="The 11th Hour"
* [http://www.gamespot.com/features/btg-tri/index.html The rise and fall of Trilobyte] - Detailed article on the company, including the making of "The 11th Hour".
* [http://uk.geocities.com/veluan2002/t11h/open.html The Stauf Mansion] - Detailed information on "The 11th Hour", the planned third part of the series, and rare company test footage.