Voyeur (video game)
| Company type | Video game |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Products | Interactive movie video game |
Voyeur is an interactive movie video game that debuted in 1993 on the Philips CD-i platform and was subsequently adapted for MS-DOS and Macintosh. The title's primary attraction lay in its "adult" themes, incorporating full-motion video segments that included simulated sexual content.
Following its success, a sequel titled Voyeur II was launched for MS-DOS and Macintosh systems, with a completed beta version also uncovered for the Philips CD-i.
Plot
In this game, players take on the role of a private detective employed by a member of the affluent Hawke family to obtain compromising evidence against Reed Hawke (played by Robert Culp), the CEO of Hawke Industries who is campaigning for the office of President of the United States. Utilizing a video camera set up opposite the Hawke residence, players must collect incriminating footage. The narrative and client identity shift with each playthrough, responding dynamically to player decisions.
Development
The development of the game was supported by a budget totaling $750,000.
Reception
In 1993, Voyeur for CD-i was spotlighted in Time Magazine (September 27 issue) under the feature "Attack of the Video Games." The title earned seven Interactive Academy Awards in 1994, recognizing achievements such as best director, best design, and best male and female acting performances.
A review by Next Generation of the Macintosh edition pointed out the limited interactivity common to full-motion video games but praised Voyeur for its superior acting within this genre, awarding it two out of five stars. The CD-i version received a slightly higher rating of three out of five stars from the same publication, which noted that despite not appealing to fans of action games, its complexity and replayability make it a worthwhile addition to any CD-i collection.
Power Unlimited rated the CD-i edition at 74%, commenting that while the concept seems promising, it ultimately functions as a "somewhat tragic B-grade soap opera."
External links
- Voyeur at DefunctGames