Merit Studios Ships Long-Awaited "HARVESTER," its controversial, graphically violent computer game; not for the squeamish, dubbed "the perfect Halloween gift for the seriously deranged," the world's most disturbing game is finally released

Business Wire, Oct 2, 1996

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 2, 1996--Nearly three years after the product first raised eyebrows and turned stomachs, "HARVESTER" has finally been released by co-developer/distributors Merit Studios and DigiFX Interactive, Inc. Authored by Gilbert P. Austin -- who has also written leading games such as PRIVATEER and STRIKE COMMANDER -- the intense role- playing game has, appropriately enough, swept onto retail shelves just in time for Halloween.

Long awaited as the most brutal, horrific computer game ever created called "a graphically violent experiment in terror" -- much of HARVESTER is the result of special effects, such as groundbreaking technology that digitizes live-action movie scenes. More than 100 actors were used to film the action, and many of them found the script "disgusting," according to one.

In fact, ever since word of HARVESTER's development first surfaced, the media have used words like "repugnant," "offensive," "repulsive" and even "degenerate" to describe it, according to Merit Studios president and CEO Jack Irons.

"We're going to turn some stomachs out there," Mr. Irons said. "We received quite a bit of negative press when the product was first announced in early 1994," he said, adding that it seemed as if the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) was formed virtually overnight, in response to early versions of HARVESTER.

"I fully expect to see protests against HARVESTER by any number of organizations," said Lee Jacobson, president of DigiFX Interactive. "Groups such as NOW (National Organization for Women), Gay and Lesbian Task Forces, and religious organizations are probably gearing up right now, because of the attention that HARVESTER received while it was being developed," Mr. Jacobson stated, calling accusations of the product's misogyny and cannibalism "overblown."

When HARVESTER first surfaced at the CES trade show in early 1994, reports aired on the CBS EVENING NEWS, NBC NIGHTLY NEWS and elsewhere, decrying the product's gory content and echoing public outcry for computer game manufacturers to establish rating standards. Now being sold worldwide in six languages, HARVESTER has caused quite a stir in Europe. Virgin Interactive Entertainment, the game's European publisher, had to submit HARVESTER to the British Board Film Commission (BBBC), who would not allow the game into the country unless certain scenes were removed. In Germany, HARVESTER is completely banned, and cannot be sold in any stores.

Public outrage has always stalked HARVESTER. Reviewers' quotes includes the following:

"I can't remember the last time I played a 'traditional' adventure game with genuine puzzles and an engrossing plot. If you thought Phantasmagoria was stomach-churning in places (and let's face it, it was), you're in for a shock when you see HARVESTER."

--Chris Anderson, PC Zone Magazine

"DigiFX have developed an adult adventure game which is unlike anything you are likely to have ever seen in the field of PC gaming. HARVESTER is difficult to compare with any other game and as such should be applauded for its boldness."

--Rob Smith, PC Powerplay

"This is a creepy game featuring tried-and-true adventure mechanics with entertaining twists and some truly disturbing full-motion video effects."

--Chris Hudak, Gamespot

" ...there is a disturbing undercurrent to the game. Rather than walk the fine edge of the abyss between dark comedy and obscenity, HARVESTER has jumped into said abyss with both feet and is cavorting in its own depravity at times."

--Steve Honeywell, Happy Puppy Games Online

The basic gameplay involves the user being born in the town of "Harvest," 17 years earlier. Suffering from amnesia, the player wakes up one morning to a town of strangers and inexplicable sights. Harvest and its people are like a Norman Rockwell painting...unfortunately, in this "Rockwell," the player's fiancee is missing and they find a hideous, bloody skull and spinal cord draped across her bed.

The only clue left behind is an engraved invitation for the user to enter "The Order of the Harvest Moon," an exclusive organization that controls the town in ways the player doesn't (or can't) understand. Is the Order behind this gruesome execution? One thing is certain: the player is going to get to the bottom of this mystery - or die trying!

An intense psychological thriller that contains all the action and suspense of a feature-length film, HARVESTER contains more than 100 captivating 3D animated cinematic sequences, on three CD-ROMs. The game combines challenging adventure role playing puzzles and action-packed, arcade-style combat sequences, and includes hours of interactive dialogue sequences - each including multiple dialogue paths - with numerous eccentric characters who populate the town of Harvest.

HARVESTER was filmed on a custom, Ultimatte stage, built expressly for the game's production. "We went as far as we could go in creating a dark, disturbing title," said Mr. Jacobson. "We've even been contacted by several Hollywood film companies for the movie rights," he stated.