Syberia III
Encyclopedia
Syberia III is a planned computer adventure game
sequel in the Syberia
series. The story of the first two games was conceived by Benoît Sokal
, and developed by French games company Microïds
. While it was expected to be released in 2011 for PC, and possibly PlayStation 3
, the release date is unknown with unofficial sources claim a 2014 release. It follows the protagonist Kate Walker as she starts out on the mammoth
s' trail, where strange white birds indicate the presence of extinct mammals.
The first Syberia game was acclaimed by critics for its graphic design and intelligent script, and the first sequel
, Syberia II
, was released in 2004, picking up where the first game left off. Sokal's earlier game Amerzone
is located in the same fictional universe
, and Syberia contains some references to it. After the release of the second Syberia game Sokal founded his own video game company, White Birds Productions. Another of Sokal's adventure games Paradise has no connections to Syberia but does use the same artistic style and a similar interface.
2009 Microïds announced that Syberia III would be released on PC and PlayStation 3
in June 2010 as a real-time 3D game. A further press release on 2 April noted that Syberia would be one of the series of games to be released in the "Ultimate Adventures" tri-packs.
The first press release also mentions that Kate Walker will meet an investigator named Victoria McPherson. FBI agent McPherson is the female lead character of another of Microïds' series of games, Still Life
and Still Life 2
.
The company has stated that the game will miss its original June 2010 release date due to the fact that negotiations with Benoît Sokal
are underway and the takeover by Anuman
, and is likely that it will be released after 2010. In an interview given in February 2011, Benoît Sokal
revealed that work on the game had not even started due to a lack of funding. He says that he would want to use real-time 3D graphics comparable to those of Assassin's Creed
. However, that would require a very large budget. He states that developing the game on the same engine as Syberia I and II is not an option because that would lead to a commercial failure.
. Benoît Sokal mentioned in the press a number of times that he would only participate in a Syberia sequel if there was sufficient financial means to design and develop it properly. In 2009 Microïds decided to invest in the Syberia franchise. Microïds have also asked that fans of Syberia send them emails of support for the game. The President
of Microïds, Emmanuel Olivier, also thanked fans on the company homepage for their support.
Adventure game
An adventure game is a video game in which the player assumes the role of protagonist in an interactive story driven by exploration and puzzle-solving instead of physical challenge. The genre's focus on story allows it to draw heavily from other narrative-based media such as literature and film,...
sequel in the Syberia
Syberia
Syberia is a 2002 computer adventure game conceived by Benoît Sokal, developed by Microïds and published through The Adventure Company. It follows the protagonist Kate Walker as she attempts to wrap up a sale on the behalf of her law firm...
series. The story of the first two games was conceived by Benoît Sokal
Benoît Sokal
Benoît Sokal is a Belgian comic artist and video game developer, best known for his comics series Inspector Canardo.-Biography:...
, and developed by French games company Microïds
Microïds
Microïds is a French software brand belonging to Anuman Interactive that publishes and develops video games. In recent years the company's collection of brands and game licenses has grown since being a part of MC2 France...
. While it was expected to be released in 2011 for PC, and possibly PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
, the release date is unknown with unofficial sources claim a 2014 release. It follows the protagonist Kate Walker as she starts out on the mammoth
Mammoth
A mammoth is any species of the extinct genus Mammuthus. These proboscideans are members of Elephantidae, the family of elephants and mammoths, and close relatives of modern elephants. They were often equipped with long curved tusks and, in northern species, a covering of long hair...
s' trail, where strange white birds indicate the presence of extinct mammals.
The first Syberia game was acclaimed by critics for its graphic design and intelligent script, and the first sequel
Sequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
, Syberia II
Syberia II
Syberia II is a 2004 adventure game conceived by Benoît Sokal and developed by MC2-Microïds, and a continuation to Syberia. It is a third-person puzzle-solving game. Stylistically identical to the first Syberia, Syberia II improves upon the first game by introducing more realistic character animation...
, was released in 2004, picking up where the first game left off. Sokal's earlier game Amerzone
Amerzone
Amerzone is a first-person adventure game produced by French company Microïds, and designed by Benoît Sokal...
is located in the same fictional universe
Fictional universe
A fictional universe is a self-consistent fictional setting with elements that differ from the real world. It may also be called an imagined, constructed or fictional realm ....
, and Syberia contains some references to it. After the release of the second Syberia game Sokal founded his own video game company, White Birds Productions. Another of Sokal's adventure games Paradise has no connections to Syberia but does use the same artistic style and a similar interface.
Development
On 1 AprilApril Fools' Day
April Fools' Day is celebrated in different countries around the world on April 1 every year. Sometimes referred to as All Fools' Day, April 1 is not a national holiday, but is widely recognized and celebrated as a day when many people play all kinds of jokes and foolishness...
2009 Microïds announced that Syberia III would be released on PC and PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
in June 2010 as a real-time 3D game. A further press release on 2 April noted that Syberia would be one of the series of games to be released in the "Ultimate Adventures" tri-packs.
The first press release also mentions that Kate Walker will meet an investigator named Victoria McPherson. FBI agent McPherson is the female lead character of another of Microïds' series of games, Still Life
Still Life (video game)
Still Life is a 2005 computer adventure game by Microïds. While not sharing its name, Still Life is a sequel to Post Mortem. A sequel, Still Life 2, was released in 2009. The game has since sold 240,000 copies worldwide....
and Still Life 2
Still Life 2
Still Life 2 is a 2009 computer adventure game by Microïds. It is a sequel to the 2005 game Still Life, and follows on from the characters and themes of 2003's Post Mortem.- Plot :...
.
The company has stated that the game will miss its original June 2010 release date due to the fact that negotiations with Benoît Sokal
Benoît Sokal
Benoît Sokal is a Belgian comic artist and video game developer, best known for his comics series Inspector Canardo.-Biography:...
are underway and the takeover by Anuman
Anuman
Anuman Interactive SA is a French video game publisher and distributor. They publish games for formats including PC, Mac, interactive-DVD, Nintendo DS and Wii, Sony PSP and Apple iPhone.-History:Anuman Interactive was founded in 2000 by Stéphane Longeard....
, and is likely that it will be released after 2010. In an interview given in February 2011, Benoît Sokal
Benoît Sokal
Benoît Sokal is a Belgian comic artist and video game developer, best known for his comics series Inspector Canardo.-Biography:...
revealed that work on the game had not even started due to a lack of funding. He says that he would want to use real-time 3D graphics comparable to those of Assassin's Creed
Assassin's Creed
Assassin's Creed is an award-winning historical third person, stealth action-adventure video game developed by Ubisoft for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows. The bulk of the game takes place during the Third Crusade, with the plot revolving around a sect known as the Secret Order of...
. However, that would require a very large budget. He states that developing the game on the same engine as Syberia I and II is not an option because that would lead to a commercial failure.
Gameplay
One of the main innovative points of the game is allegedly its use of collaborate online gaming between players on both PC and PS3, using simultaneous data exchange and sharing on the two platforms. The first press release hints that players will only be able to accompany Walker to the end of the adventure, if they have collaborated with players from the other platform, utilizing each player's abilities. Microïds also stated that this style of collaborative gaming would feature in other future releases from the company. This is uncertain, however, as this dates from an April 1 press release.PlayStation 3 version
On 17 April another press release was issued, explaining that the PC version will be released, but the PS3 version may not, due to problems with SonySony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
. Benoît Sokal mentioned in the press a number of times that he would only participate in a Syberia sequel if there was sufficient financial means to design and develop it properly. In 2009 Microïds decided to invest in the Syberia franchise. Microïds have also asked that fans of Syberia send them emails of support for the game. The President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of Microïds, Emmanuel Olivier, also thanked fans on the company homepage for their support.