Kether (video game)
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| Kether | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Developer | Infogrames |
| Publisher | Philips |
| Platform | CD-i |
| Release | |
| Genres | Space flight simulation, adventure |
| Mode | Single-player |
Kether is a video game developed by Infogrames and published by Philips for the CD-i.
Kether is a game that mixes elements of both action and graphic adventure.[3]
Development and release
Kether was developed by French studio Infogrames through its subsidiary International World Productions (IWP). Infogrames sought to provide early support to publisher Philips and its CD-i during the fourth generation of video game consoles due to advances brought on by the system's optical disc technology.[4][5][6] Kether was one of seven projects from IWP, which was specifically established to contribute to a second wave of CD-i software for Philips.[7][8]
Guy Selva, the game's artistic director and one of its writers, desired to create a space opera that would offer the player the opportunity to take advantage of the CD-i's audio and graphical capabilities. Production mirrored that of a feature film with a script written first and foremost and live actors included via full-motion video cutscenes.[9] The 3D computer-generated imagery work was outsourced to Brussels-based Little Big One (LBO), which utilized Silicon Graphics workstations running TDI Explore and Paintbox software.[10] Production was overseen by Infogrames chairman, CEO, and general director Bruno Bonnell. He mentioned that CD-i games during this period would require an estimated three million franc budget with a minimum of seven people working for 15 months. At this cost, at least 50,000 units would have to be sold to make a profit.[4]
First announced in mid-1992 as The Mystery of Kether (Le Mystère de Kether), it was initially scheduled to launch that September.[5][11] However, it was delayed. By mid-1993, the game had been in development for over two years.[4] Philips finally released it in Europe that October.[1] A television special titled La Nuit des Jeux Vidéo (Video Game Night) aired on channel France 3 on November 26, 1993 and was a collaboration between Philips Media France, Tilt, and Consoles +. As part of the special, individuals competed against one another playing Kether in order to win a copy of the game and a Philips CD-i model 210.[12][13] Kether was released in North America in January 1994.[2] The game eventually came bundled with the Maganvox CD-i model 200 in the region.[14]
