Quantum Conundrum
Encyclopedia
Quantum Conundrum is an upcoming first-person action video game currently in development by Airtight Games
and set to be published by Square Enix
. It is designed by Kim Swift, who formerly worked at Valve Software as the lead designer on the critically acclaimed Portal. The game is scheduled for release in early 2012 on Xbox Live Arcade
, Playstation Network and Windows
download distribution services.
The primary game mechanic is the Interdimensional Shift Device (shortened to I.D.S.) - at the press of a button, the player can switch into one of four different dimensions. To do this, they must first locate special batteries and place them into coloured receptacles, which subsequently creates a dimensional rift. The geometry of the normal environment is retained when switching dimensions, but changes are made to the aesthetics, and the physics and properties of objects are altered significantly. One of the dimensional options is the "fluffy dimension". When swapped to this, the environment takes on a bright white, softened look. This causes objects to become 10 times lighter in weight, allowing the player to interact with them in ways that would not be possible in the default dimension. Other dimensions revealed so far include one that slows down time to a twentieth of its ordinary speed, and one that reverses the direction of gravity.
, co-creator Kim Swift left Valve to pursue opportunities elsewhere. Developer Airtight Games later announced that they had hired on Swift as a project lead, which they stated was a part of their strategy to produce innovative games with a broader audience.
In August 2011, Square Enix made comments teasing the imminent announcement of a new project at Airtight Games, with Kim Swift as creative director. This project, titled Quantum Conundrum, was officially unveiled at PAX Prime 2011
. During the expo, Swift told the press that her ideas for the game originated from a visit to a local bakery. She said that, like with her previous games, she wanted to create something accessible to a wide market, but with enough challenge to satisfy more experienced players.
Airtight Games
Airtight Games is an independent video game developer founded in 2004 that is made up of several former members of FASA Studio, Will Vinton Studios and Microsoft, as well as several other studios. The key members include president and creative director Jim Deal, art director Matt Brunner, technical...
and set to be published by Square Enix
Square Enix
is a Japanese video game and publishing company best known for its console role-playing game franchises, which include the Final Fantasy series, the Dragon Quest series, and the action-RPG Kingdom Hearts series...
. It is designed by Kim Swift, who formerly worked at Valve Software as the lead designer on the critically acclaimed Portal. The game is scheduled for release in early 2012 on Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
, Playstation Network and Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
download distribution services.
Plot
The plot stars a quiet 12-year-old boy as its main protagonist. One day, he pays a visit to the mansion-cum-laboratory belonging to his uncle, an eccentric scientist and inventor named Professor Fitz Quadwrangle. Shortly after his arrival, an explosion occurs as a result of a failed experiment, causing the professor to disappear. The boy then discovers a special glove with the power to change dimensions, which he decides to use in order to find out what happened to his uncle.Gameplay
Quantum Conundrum is viewed from the first-person perspective and has a very heavy emphasis on contained puzzle elements, similar to games in the Portal series. The objective is to explore Professor Quadwrangle's manor, solving puzzles and challenges in order to progress from room to room.The primary game mechanic is the Interdimensional Shift Device (shortened to I.D.S.) - at the press of a button, the player can switch into one of four different dimensions. To do this, they must first locate special batteries and place them into coloured receptacles, which subsequently creates a dimensional rift. The geometry of the normal environment is retained when switching dimensions, but changes are made to the aesthetics, and the physics and properties of objects are altered significantly. One of the dimensional options is the "fluffy dimension". When swapped to this, the environment takes on a bright white, softened look. This causes objects to become 10 times lighter in weight, allowing the player to interact with them in ways that would not be possible in the default dimension. Other dimensions revealed so far include one that slows down time to a twentieth of its ordinary speed, and one that reverses the direction of gravity.
Development
Late in 2009, some time during the development of Portal 2Portal 2
Portal 2 is a first-person puzzle-platform video game developed and published by Valve Corporation. The sequel to the 2007 video game Portal, it was announced on March 5, 2010, following a week-long alternate reality game based on new patches to the original game...
, co-creator Kim Swift left Valve to pursue opportunities elsewhere. Developer Airtight Games later announced that they had hired on Swift as a project lead, which they stated was a part of their strategy to produce innovative games with a broader audience.
In August 2011, Square Enix made comments teasing the imminent announcement of a new project at Airtight Games, with Kim Swift as creative director. This project, titled Quantum Conundrum, was officially unveiled at PAX Prime 2011
Penny Arcade Expo
The Penny Arcade Expo is a semi-annual gamer festival held in Seattle and Boston. PAX was created by Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik, the authors of the Penny Arcade webcomic, because they wanted to attend a show that gave equal attention to console gamers, computer gamers, and tabletop...
. During the expo, Swift told the press that her ideas for the game originated from a visit to a local bakery. She said that, like with her previous games, she wanted to create something accessible to a wide market, but with enough challenge to satisfy more experienced players.