On Nov. 26, Big Fish Games launched Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst, the highly anticipated fifth title in the blockbuster hidden object-adventure Mystery Case Files series. The series, which started in 2005 with Mystery Case Files: Huntsville, is the number one brand in the casual games industry and has sold more than 2.5 million units to date.
With a commitment to increase the production value of each new release, Big Fish Games has added new elements to Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst that surpass industry standards. The new elements include performances from live actors as well as an original music soundtrack that was performed by the Berlin Film Orchestra. The game also empowers players to explore scenes and levels using click-through navigation game play.
As we worked to secure coverage of Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst for Big Fish Games, we recognized that these innovative additions rivaled industry standards.
In addition, we realized offering journalists demos of the game would go a long way towards building their excitement.
When possible, Big Fish Games met with journalists in-person to walk through the game and highlight its features. In addition, the team leveraged WebEx teleconference services to provide online demos to journalists when in-person meetings were not feasible.
Communiqué also worked with Big Fish Games to provide journalists with early access to a demo version of the game via the companies’ FTP site. This allowed journalists the opportunity to try out the game on their own and follow up with any questions.
Media feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Journalists appreciated the opportunity to review the game in advance, see a demo and hear why Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst was significant for the industry. By experiencing the compelling nature of the game firsthand, journalists were able to ascertain consumer demand and convey the experience for their readers. The game earned several positive placements including a review that was picked up by Gannett News Service and appeared in more than 100 newspapers across the U.S. including USA Today.
See below for a few examples of the resulting coverage or click here to read the official announcement.
Key Coverage:
USA Today, “Unravel supernatural mystery in ‘Return to Ravenhearst,'” December 12, 2008
Seattle Weekly, “Big Fish Catches Record Revenues During Recession,” December 3, 2008
USA Today, “Holiday Gift Guide -For the Casual Player,'” December 2, 2008
Link not available
GamePro, “GamePro 2008 Holiday Gift Guide,” November 24, 2008
GameInformer, “Mystery Case Files Evolving Out of the Core Spotlight,” November 26, 2008
GamingShogun, “Big Fish Games Returns to Ravenhearst,” November 26, 2008