Preview Missing Developer: Lexis-Numerique Publisher: Europe/UbiSoft, North America/The Adventure Company Release Date: Europe/Now, North America/late June 2004 Platform: Preview by Randy Sluganski June 2, 2004

The best way to describe Missing is as an interactive version of CSI meets Silence of the Lambs. Already a hit in Europe where it is known as In Memoriam, Missing is a return to full-motion-video with a twist as you must interact with not only the characters in the game, but must also expand your search for clues across the entire Internet.

The premise of Missing is that two investigators are missing and the only clue to their whereabouts is a CD manufactured by a serial killer known as The Phoenix. As this CD is now in your possession, the lives of both investigators now rest on your ability to decipher clues some of which will be provided by the killer himself.

During the course of your investigation you will receive actual emails not only from characters in the game, but also the sadistic Phoenix as he teases and taunts your intellect. There is also a certain amount of Internet research involved as ‘real’ websites have been created specifically for this game. To sustain the illusion that this is all really happening, you will have to set-up a login ID and password that will allow you to access the network and receive emails.

Reviewing the European version of Missing, Ray Ivey noted that the game’s unique format should be used as the basis for a series of adventures and we’re happy to report that developer Lexis-Numerique was listening as Just Adventure was informed that an add-on for Missing is now in development and a sequel is also in the writing stage! You will need to own the original version of Missing to play the add-on (will this be the first adventure game to have an add-on?).

Some changes have been made for the North American version as one of the main female character’s accent has been re-recorded to change her accent from French to English, new websites will be available and the developers are working on a way to encourage online co-operation between gamers.

While Missing is a unique and groundbreaking game, even more interesting was my conversation with developer Djamil Kemal. Djamil is a fascinating and devoted individual who is committed to changing the European outlook on piracy (he is also very talented as evidenced by some soon-to-be-revealed projects I was shown).

We too often hear how piracy negatively impacts the industry, but are never presented with any concrete evidence. Well, that is about to change.

At one time there were more than 85,000 people registered to play In Memoriam in Europe, which would be great except that during that period it had only sold 35,000 units. Even more suspicious was that gamers were registered from countries – such as Poland - were the game had never even been sold.

To counteract such measures, Djamil took the extreme measure of personally contacting some of the pirates to question their values and was in many cases told that In Memoriam was simply not the type of game they would ever consider purchasing, yet still – he noted - they play it through almost to the end.

Djamil believes piracy is a cultural problem and insists that copy protection is not the solution as it only hurts the honest consumer. To this end Missing (In Memoriam) sold in Europe for only thirty euros as he believes that if the price of the games are lowered than consumers will be less apt to pirate software. He also plans to offer consumer incentives to stop piracy such as offering a discount to any student who presents a student ID when purchasing the game.

According to Djamil, the European mindset towards ‘borrowing’ transcends even software piracy as, “An American will put a coin in the newspaper box and take one newspaper; a Frenchman will put a coin in the newspaper box and take all of the papers.” Djamil is determined to combat piracy at its roots by attempting to change the perception of European culture – a noble goal indeed – and to this end, he has appeared on French national television, lectured at schools, hosted an international symposium and visits Internet forums.

While Missing has made a small profit for Lexis-Numerique, one major setback from the profits lost due to piracy is that innovation is stifled as plans to high more employees to produce more quality products must be put on hold.

If there is one specific thing that the adventure community needs more of, it is unique games like Missing that are willing to be different yet, sadly, what may truly be missing is the capital to develop such games if the piracy problem persists. Hats off to Djamil Kemal for being bold enough to speak out and attack the problem at its core.