Azada (video game)

Infobox VG
title = Azada


developer = Big Fish Studios
publisher = Big Fish Games
designer =
engine = PTK
released = June 2007
genre = Puzzle
modes = Single player
ratings = ESRB: Everyone (E)
platforms = Windows, Mac OS X
media =
requirements = Windows 98, Windows 2000/ME/XP/Vista, or Mac OS X 10.2 or better
input = Mouse

"Azada" is an adventure-puzzle casual game developed by Big Fish Studios Europe, and distributed by Big Fish Games. The studio previously developed "Mystic Inn" and "Atlantis Sky Patrol".

Story

Hapless adventurer Titus has been trapped for years in a magical book, for a reason that is only later revealed in the game. With the last of the magical powers he acquired while trapped, Titus transports you, the player, to his study, and asks for your help to get free. The only way he can ever be released from the book, is to solve the ancient puzzles of Azada. More of the story is revealed as the player solves new puzzles.

Gameplay

Azada's main mechanic consists of escape-the-room puzzles reminiscent of adventure games of the 1990s such as "Myst". The main mechanic is complemented by over 20 different mini-games. When playing escape-the-room puzzles, one must find objects hidden in the room, and then use them together or on other parts of the puzzle in order to create a logical chain of actions that ultimately leads to solving the puzzle. When playing minigames, each minigame comes with specific instructions. Azada features known mechanics such as mastermind and simon as well as new ones designed specifically for the game.

Theme and production values

Azada features a magic theme reminiscient of movies such as "Harry Potter", and story elements that resemble "Jumanji" and "Myst". The game features pre-rendered puzzles with many moving parts, as well as high quality orchestral audio.

Reception

According to independent tracking site game-sales-charts.com, following its release on June 29, 2007, Azada held the #1 sales spot on its home distribution channel, Big Fish Games, as well as the #1 or #2 spot on other major online distribution channels. Azada remained for 142 days in the top 10 charts of its home distribution portal, Big Fish Games. Azada also remained in the top 10 charts for 83 days at Pogo.com, 74 days at iWin.com, 44 days at Reflexive.com, and featured a similar sales pattern on other distribution channels.

Leading casual games industry outlets such as Gamezebo.com have featured several articles welcoming the innovative mechanic and the puzzles of Azada.

Azada was a finalist in the Downloadable Game of the Year category, for the Interactive Achievement Awards 2008.

Sequel

Big Fish Studios released a sequel to the game, "" in August, 2008. "Azada: Ancient Magic" expands upon the mechanic of Azada by spreading puzzles over multiple pages in enchanted books, adds characters to interact with, and blends the minigame into the main narrative of each book.

Credits

* Design and programming: Emmanuel Marty
* Design and graphics: Jerome Grandsire
* Music and SFX: SomaTone Audio Interactive
* Producer: Patrick Wylie
* Additional Design: John Cutter, Paul Thelen, Patrick Wylie, Eric Hull
* Story: Caroline Wylie, John Cutter
* Technology: PTK, Basilisk renderer, Antigrain, J2K-Codec
* Focus groups: Colin Kastner, Melissa Di Gioia
* Quality assurance: Karl LeDoux, Brander Roullett, Randy Ochs, Jeremy Caldwell, Michael Sunwoo, Chris Wright, Brishan Merrill-Brown
* Special thanks: Emmanuel Icart, Bill Meyer, Nathaniel Webb
* Copyright: Big Fish Games 2007

External links

* [http://www.azada-game.com/ Official Azada Game Site]
* [http://www.bigfishgames.com/download-games/1689/azada/index.html/ Azada on Big Fish Games]
* [http://www.game-sales-charts.com/cms/index.php?option=com_dbquery&Itemid=33&task=ExecuteQuery&qid=20&cqo_game=Azada Global sales of Azada] on independent tracking site games-sales-charts.com

Reviews and interviews

* [http://www.gamezebo.com/2007/06/azada_review.html Review of Azada] at Gamezebo.com
* [http://www.gamezebo.com/2007/08/behind_the_game_azada.html Interview of Emmanuel Marty and Pat Wylie about Azada] at Gamezebo.com
* [http://www.killerbetties.com/casual_game_of_the_week_azada_review_pc Review of Azada] at KillerBetties.com
* [http://www.interactive.org/awards.php?winners&year=2008&cat=200810#200810 Nominees] for the Interactive Achievement Awards 2008