Gray Matter, the up and coming adventure game written by adventure gaming queen Jane Jensen, will now be accompanied by an extravagant soundtrack. Along with the music composed by Robert Holmes there will be a soundtrack that will make Gray Matter a unique experience from a tonal standpoint.In order to create a fitting sound and music concept, author Jane Jensen, composer Robert Holmes and publisher dtp entertainment agreed on teaming up with Periscope Studio, a Germany-based sound company, who already worked on several high quality adventure game productions. The whole concept is based on Robert Holmes’ music compositions. Periscope recorded his compositions and additionally designed the game’s sound effects and background atmospheres. Every single asset has been designed to reflect the depth, emotions and mystery of Gray Matter.
Both Jane Jensen and Robert Holmes maintained control of the music and sound production. They kept in close contact with Periscope and set up a couple of guidelines. For example, the Gray Matter soundtrack is inspired by sci-fi movies of the 70’s, “This revealed a strong resemblance to the film score of Angelo Badalamenti, which is much more than just a coincidence: It perfectly fits the atmosphere and the story of the game. This music style separates Gray Matter from other adventure games. We didn’t focus on orchestral sounds, but consciously used atmospherically heavy synthesizers”, explains Finn Seliger, Periscope’s art director.
Periscope created 17 music tracks out of Robert Holmes’ compositions and songs of the independent band The Scarlet Furies that appear in the game. The band has been founded by Robert Holmes and are one of Jane Jensen’s favourites. The tracks created by Periscope are related to various game play situations.
Gray Matter will be the first new full-size adventure game by the famous adventure author Jane Jensen since the release of Gabriel Knight 3. Staying true to the Jensen-style, the story interweaves gruesome incidents and supernatural events.
Neurobiologist Dr. David Styles is one of the main characters in the game. Ever since losing his wife in a terrible car accident many years ago, he has become a recluse, leaving his English mansion Dread Hill House only on rare occasions.
Vagabond and street artist Samantha Everett shows up on his doorstep unexpectedly, at a time when Styles just happens to be looking for a new assistant. Originally from America, she has been travelling Europe for the last few years, and is in desperate need of a job and place of refuge. Her first assignment involves finding six volunteers for an experiment planned by Dr. Styles at Oxford University.
The experiment begins harmlessly enough, but soon strange things start happening. Styles is visited by his beloved, but deceased wife. Now it is up to Sam to solve the mysteries of Dread Hill House.
Lace Mamba Global will release Gray Matter on 360 and PC in the UK in October 2010.
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