Agatha Christie (video game series)

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Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie's signature.png
Genre(s) Adventure
Hidden object game
Developer(s) AWE Productions
DreamCatcher Interactive
Blazing Griffin
Floodlight Games
Oberon Games
Black Lantern Studios
Microids
Publisher(s) The Adventure Company
DreamCatcher Interactive
Hullabu
Tri Synergy
Microids
Platform(s) Windows
Wii
Nintendo DS
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Xbox Series
Nintendo Switch
iOS
Android
PlayStation 5
First release Agatha Christie: And Then There Were None
September 30, 2005
Latest release Agatha Christie - Murder on the Orient Express
October 19, 2023

The Agatha Christie series is a series of adventure games developed by AWE Games and published by The Adventure Company and DreamCatcher Interactive, based on the works of the English mystery writer Agatha Christie.

Contents

Profile

The first three games were developed by American developer AWE Productions and published between 2005 and 2007 by The Adventure Company, a division of DreamCatcher Interactive. In 2006 Dreamcatcher Interactive and its intellectual property was bought by Austrian publishing company JoWooD Entertainment. Since the acquisition, DreamCatcher has continued to launch titles both under The Adventure Company and DreamCatcher labels including the fourth game in the Agatha Christie series (which was co-developed by AWE Productions and Black Lantern Studios for the Nintendo DS handheld console and was published by Dreamcatcher).

Four hidden object games were developed by Floodlight Games and published by Oberon Games between 2006 and 2010.

In 2011, both DreamCatcher Interactive, and its parent company, JoWood Entertainment went into administration and their assets were absorbed into Nordic Games [1] (which was later re-branded as THQ Nordic). The company did not acquire the rights to Agatha Christie games in the process.

In August 2013 the French video game publisher and distributor Anuman Interactive announced that its adventure label Microïds had purchased the rights to use Agatha Christie novels. The game, titled Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders was developed by Lyon-based Artefacts Studio and published in February 2016.

In September 2021 Anuman Interactive released a prequel, titled Agatha Christie: Hercule Poirot - The First Cases, developed by Blazing Griffin.

The following games in the series have been released:

ReleaseTitlePC Console Handheld / Mobile Developer Publisher Work Based On Metacritic ScoreRef
2005 Agatha Christie: And Then There Were None Windows Wii AWE Productions The Adventure Company And Then There Were None (1939)68 [2]
2006 Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express Windows AWE Productions The Adventure Company Murder on the Orient Express (1934)60 [3]
2007 Agatha Christie: Evil Under the Sun Windows Wii AWE Productions The Adventure Company Evil Under the Sun (1941)66 [4] [5]
2007 Agatha Christie: Peril at End House Windows
macOS
Floodlight Games
Oberon Games
Red Marble Games (macOS)
I-play
Tri Synergy (re-release)
Microids (re-release)
Peril at End House (1932)N/A [6]
2008 Agatha Christie: Death on the Nile Windows
macOS
Floodlight Games
Oberon Games
Red Marble Games (macOS)
The Adventure Company
I-play
Tri Synergy (re-release)
Microids (re-release)
Death on the Nile (1937)49 [7]
2009 Agatha Christie: Dead Man's Folly Windows iOS Floodlight Games
Oberon Games
Hullabu (mobile version)
The Adventure Company
I-play
Tri Synergy (re-release)
Microids (re-release)
Hullabu (mobile re-release)
Dead Man's Folly (1956)N/A [8] [9]
2009 Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders Nintendo DS Black Lantern Studios The Adventure Company The A.B.C. Murders (1936)53 [10]
2010 Agatha Christie: 4.50 from Paddington Windows Android
iOS
Floodlight Games
Oberon Games
Hullabu (mobile version)
I-play
Tri Synergy (re-release)
Microids (re-release)
Hullabu (mobile re-release)
4.50 from Paddington (1957)N/A [11] [12]
2016 Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders Windows
Linux
macOS
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Nintendo Switch
Android
iOS
Artefacts Studio Microids The A.B.C. Murders (1936)69 [13]
2021 Agatha Christie: Hercule Poirot - The First Cases Windows PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Xbox Series
Nintendo Switch Blazing Griffin Microids Poirot's Early Cases (1974)75 [14]
2023 Agatha Christie: Hercule Poirot - The London Case Windows PlayStation 4
PlayStation 5
Xbox One
Xbox Series
Nintendo Switch Blazing Griffin Microids Poirot's Early Cases (1974)65 [15]
2023 Agatha Christie - Murder on the Orient Express Windows PlayStation 4
PlayStation 5
Xbox One
Xbox Series
Nintendo Switch Microids Microids Murder on the Orient Express (1934)75 [16]

Related Research Articles

<i>Murder on the Orient Express</i> 1934 novel by Agatha Christie

Murder on the Orient Express is a work of detective fiction by English writer Agatha Christie featuring the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. It was first published in the United Kingdom by the Collins Crime Club on 1 January 1934. In the United States, it was published on 28 February 1934, under the title of Murder in the Calais Coach, by Dodd, Mead and Company. The UK edition retailed at seven shillings and sixpence (7/6) and the US edition at $2.

<i>Agatha Christies Poirot</i> British television detective series (1989–2013)

Agatha Christie's Poirot, or simply Poirot, is a British mystery drama television programme that aired on ITV from 8 January 1989 to 13 November 2013. The ITV show is based on many of Agatha Christie’s famous crime fiction series, which revolves around the fictional private investigator, Hercule Poirot. David Suchet starred as the fictional detective. Initially produced by LWT, the series was later produced by ITV Studios. The series also aired on VisionTV in Canada and on PBS and A&E in the US.

<i>The Mysterious Affair at Styles</i> 1920 Poirot novel by Agatha Christie

The Mysterious Affair at Styles is the first detective novel by British writer Agatha Christie, introducing her fictional detective Hercule Poirot. It was written in the middle of the First World War, in 1916, and first published by John Lane in the United States in October 1920 and in the United Kingdom by The Bodley Head on 21 January 1921.

<i>The A.B.C. Murders</i> 1936 Poirot novel by Agatha Christie

The A.B.C. Murders is a work of detective fiction by British writer Agatha Christie, featuring her characters Hercule Poirot, Arthur Hastings and Chief Inspector Japp, as they contend with a series of killings by a mysterious murderer known only as "A.B.C.". The book was first published in the UK by the Collins Crime Club on 6 January 1936, sold for seven shillings and sixpence (7/6) while a US edition, published by Dodd, Mead and Company on 14 February of the same year, was priced $2.00.

Ariadne Oliver is a fictional character in the novels of Agatha Christie. She is a crime fiction novelist, the creator of the fictional Finnish detective Sven Hjerson, and a friend of Hercule Poirot.

<i>Peril at End House</i> 1932 Poirot novel by Agatha Christie

Peril at End House is a work of detective fiction by British writer Agatha Christie, first published in the US by the Dodd, Mead and Company in February 1932 and in the UK by the Collins Crime Club in March of the same year. The US edition retailed at $2.00 and the UK edition at seven shillings and sixpence (7/6).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cryo Interactive</span> Former French video game development and publishing company

Cryo Interactive Entertainment was a French video game development and publishing company founded in 1990, but existing unofficially since 1989 as a developer group under the name Cryo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DreamCatcher Interactive</span> Former Canadian video game publisher

DreamCatcher Interactive Inc. was a Canadian video game publisher founded in 1996 by Richard Wah Kan. It was best known for its adventure games. In 2006, the company became a subsidiary of JoWooD Entertainment. In 2011, the company went into administration along with its parent JoWooD and all assets were purchased by Nordic Games Holding. The DreamCatcher Interactive brand is currently being used as a publishing label for THQ Nordic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Microids</span> French video game developer and publisher

Microids is a French video game developer and publisher based in Paris. Founded in 1985 by Elliot Grassiano, it attained early success with games published through Loriciel in France and other partners in international markets. Through expanding its staff and development teams, Microïds generated funds to expand from just development to publishing and distribution and opening international offices. The company merged with MC2 in 2003 to create MC2-Microïds, whereafter it acquired publishers Wanadoo Edition and Cryo Interactive. Grassiano left MC2-Microïds in 2005; under new management, MC2-Microïds was briefly renamed MC2 before returning to the old Microïds name. It was then acquired by Anuman Interactive in 2010, which itself was renamed Microïds in 2019.

<i>The Regatta Mystery</i> Agatha Christie short story

The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories is a short story collection written by Agatha Christie and first published in the US by Dodd, Mead and Company in 1939. The first edition retailed at $2.00.

<i>Agatha Christie: And Then There Were None</i> 2005 video game

Agatha Christie: And Then There Were None is a 2005 point-and-click adventure game developed by AWE Productions and published by The Adventure Company for Microsoft Windows. It was the first in The Adventure Company's Agatha Christie series. The game is a detective murder-mystery; it begins with nine people, including Patrick Narracott, the playable character, who meet and journey to the fictional Shipwreck (Soldier) Island. There, two additional onscreen characters are introduced, and the story then follows the events that unfold.

<i>Three Blind Mice and Other Stories</i> Collection of short stories written by Agatha Christie

Three Blind Mice and Other Stories is a collection of short stories written by Agatha Christie, first published in the US by Dodd, Mead and Company in 1950. The first edition retailed at $2.50.

<i>Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express</i> 2006 video game

Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express is a 2006 adventure game developed by AWE Productions and published by The Adventure Company for Microsoft Windows. It is the second installment in The Adventure Company's Agatha Christie series. The setting is five years before the events in Agatha Christie: And Then There Were None, with a largely unrelated storyline. The plot follows an amateur sleuth, Antoinette Marceau, and her investigation of a murder with twelve possible suspects aboard the Orient Express, which has been blocked by an avalanche in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia during 1934. She is aided by famous detective Hercule Poirot.

<i>Agatha Christie: Evil Under the Sun</i> 2007 video game

Agatha Christie: Evil Under the Sun is a video game by AWE Productions released for the Windows and Nintendo Wii, and is the third installment of The Adventure Company's Agatha Christie series based on Agatha Christie's 1941 novel Evil Under the Sun. The Windows version was released in 2007, and the Wii version one year later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agatha Christie bibliography</span>

Agatha Christie (1890–1976) was an English crime novelist, short-story writer and playwright. Her reputation rests on 66 detective novels and 15 short-story collections that have sold over two billion copies, an amount surpassed only by the Bible and the works of William Shakespeare. She is also the most translated individual author in the world with her books having been translated into more than 100 languages. Her works contain several regular characters with whom the public became familiar, including Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, Tommy and Tuppence Beresford, Parker Pyne and Harley Quin. Christie wrote more Poirot stories than any of the others, even though she thought the character to be "rather insufferable". Following the publication of the 1975 novel Curtain, Poirot's obituary appeared on the front page of The New York Times.

<i>Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders</i> (2009 video game) 2009 video game

Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders is a mystery adventure game for the Nintendo DS, based on Agatha Christie's 1936 novel The ABC Murders. The game was co-developed by American companies AWE Games and Black Lantern Studios, and published by DreamCatcher Interactive.

Lists of adaptations of the works of Agatha Christie:

<i>Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders</i> (2016 video game) 2016 video game

Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders is a point-and-click adventure mystery video game developed by Artefacts Studio and published by Anuman under their Microïds brand for Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in February 2016. It was later released for Nintendo Switch in October 2020.

Hercule Poirot is a series of full cast BBC Radio drama adaptations of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot novels and short stories adapted by Michael Bakewell, broadcast on BBC Radio 4 between 1985 and 2007. With the exception of the first two adaptations, the series stars John Moffatt as Poirot.

Agatha Christie (1890–1976) was an English detective fiction writer and creator of fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.

References

  1. "Who is Nordic Games?". Polygon . 22 April 2013.
  2. "Agatha Christie: And Then There Were None". GameSpot . Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  3. "Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express". GameSpot . Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  4. Emma Boyes (22 March 2007). "Poirot investigates again on PC". GameSpot UK . Retrieved 19 June 2007.
  5. "Evil Under the Sun – The Next PC Game in the Agatha Christie Series" (PDF). The Adventure Company. 22 March 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2007.
  6. "Agatha Christie: Peril at End House". Mobygames.com . Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  7. "Agatha Christie: Death on the Nile". Mobygames.com . Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  8. "Agatha Christie: Dead Man's Folly". Mobygames.com . Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  9. "Agatha Christie: Dead Man's Folly". GameSpot . Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  10. Christopher Brown. "Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders" . Retrieved 19 February 2009.
  11. "Agatha Christie: 4.50 from Paddington". Mobygames.com . Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  12. "Agatha Christie: 4.50 from Paddington". GameSpot . Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  13. "Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders". Mobygames.com . Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  14. "Agatha Christie: Hercule Poirot - The First Cases". Mobygames.com . Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  15. "Agatha Christie: Hercule Poirot - The London Case". Mobygames.com . Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  16. "Agatha Christie - Murder on the Orient Express". Mobygames.com . Retrieved October 19, 2023.