Square Enix announced Quantum Conundrum, a quirky and engaging first-person platform puzzle game from Airtight Games and the co-creator of PORTAL, Kim Swift. Quantum Conundrum will be available for download in early 2012 on Steam for Windows PC, the PlayStationRNetwork for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox LIVE Arcade for the Xbox 360R video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.
In Quantum Conundrum, players take on the role of a young kid dropped off on his uncle's doorstep for the weekend; his uncle just so happens to be the brilliant, eccentric inventor, Professor Fitz Quadwrangle. Upon entering the Professor's vast manor home retrofitted with crazy technology to test his latest hypotheses, players quickly realize their uncle has gone missing. Fortunately, players soon gain access to Professor Quadwrangle's latest invention, the Inter-Dimensional Shift Device, which, at the press of a button, will shift the world around them to an entirely new dimension. In order to find him, players must use the newly found IDS Device to dynamically change the world to and from a variety of different dimensions to progress through the complicated Quadwrangle Manor. While on the journey, becoming adept at utilizing the various dimensions will help them trek from one bizarre and challenging room to the next. It might sound easy enough, but it is a tall order for a kid in a giant puzzle of a manor!
Penny Arcade Expo (PAX Prime) attendees will be the first to see Square Enix and Airtight Games globally reveal Quantum Conundrum through their exclusive panel. Meet the developers, including Creative Director Kim Swift (PORTAL, Left 4 Dead, Left 4 Dead 2) and discipline representatives from the Quantum Conundrum team, and hear their explanation of how they are bringing an incredibly fascinating and unconventional game to life. The panel will be held on Saturday, August 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the Pegasus Room.
"We wanted to create a fun, quirky puzzle game that anyone would want to play, regardless of age or gaming experience," said Kim Swift, Creative Director at Airtight Games. "I've been working with an amazing and collaborative team on this project and look forward to coming into the office every day to hear new ideas, see what everyone has created, and dive in on my own pieces of the game. We've created something that we're all extremely proud of and hope that people will enjoy playing it as much as we are making it."
FEATURES
. Engaging Puzzle Gameplay: Using the Inter-Dimensional Shift Device, players will shift to and from various dimensions to manipulate the world around them and clear levels with increasing degrees of difficulty.
. Experience New Dimensions: Each dimension the player gains access to becomes a valuable asset to manipulate objects in the manor in a specific way. For example, the Fluffy Dimension makes heavy objects ten times lighter, enabling players to move what was once an immovable safe from one place to the next.
. Immersive, Interactive Environment: In addition to the various dimensions allowing the player to learn new skills and techniques, the look and feel of each dimension is completely distinct. When shifting to the Fluffy Dimension, everything in the room becomes soft and plushy like a cuddly version of its previous state. Every dimension carries its own atmosphere, letting the player feel like they are truly in the world.
. Unique Art Style and Humor: The Professor's manor and all the items within it have a unique style, but that's not all. Players should be on the lookout for humorous touches and jokes scattered throughout the manor home. Who wouldn't want to know what the infamous Professor Quadwrangle looks like in the Fluffy Dimension?
"The team at Airtight Games is creating an engaging puzzle game complete with a charming story and witty, humorous touches throughout," said Mike Fischer, chief executive officer of Square Enix, Inc. "We're confident Quantum Conundrum will appeal to a broad audience and are thrilled to be part of the team that will bring this game to life."
Quantum Conundrum will be available for Windows PC, Xbox LIVE Arcade and PlayStation Network in 2012. Quantum Conundrum is not yet rated.