Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Anim-X
Electronic Arts has been fairly hushed about their upcoming Web-based title Majestic, so when they were finally ready to release details, my palms began to sweat in anticipation. Electronic Art's online episodic adventure thriller puts you in the middle of a vast government conspiracy and employs Internet communication tools to bring the story to life.
The new game is due to launch in February on the EA.com site, with a new “episode” each month. While it is being called a game, it is more like an adventure, being billed as the X-Files meets (the movie) The Game meets the Internet. Majestic doesn't involve virtually running down corridors and shooting opponents with mega-weapons, it is even more than a thinking man's game, it is a game that will reach out to you when you least expect it. Majestic is all about conspiracy, and sometimes it will feel so real, you will forget it is a game. In many ways it evokes elements of cult TV series like The Prisoner or Nowhere Man, as well as having stylish moments that remind me of Alfred Hitchcock's classic works.
Before registering with Majestic when it becomes available on the Web early in the year, think about what you might be getting yourself into. Though most likely you won't be fully prepared – I don't think anyone can be, even though it is just a game.