Girls Got Game: Marjorie M. Liu’s Tiger Eye to be Romance-Themed Game

First, there was Heartwild Solitaire. Then, there was the announcement of the soon-to-come Nora Roberts downloadable game, and Nora’s awesome quote about how girls like to blow stuff up, too. She’s got a point – the girl gamer is often missed in the peenoriffic marketing and production of games. And alert reader Regina sent me a link to this download game from Big Fish based on a Harlequin Presents novel.

Book CoverBut today marks the launch of a new gaming concept, and the release of a new romance-themed casual game. (NB: I admit, I totally had to look up what casual game meant, because I was wondering if the formal game required me to wear panty hose. Casual game, it turns out, is a game targeted toward those who aren’t serious gamers, and as a result is not super complex nor does it require a massive time commitment. In other words: this probably won’t intimidate me. I hope.)

PassionFruit Games is releasing Tiger Eye: Curse of the Riddle Box, based on Marjorie M. Liu’s Tiger Eye. According to Melissa Heidrich, Studio Director of PassionFruit Games, there’s a big market for casual games among women, who are drawn to them because of their offer of a brief escape – which echoes the reason many women pick up romance novels. For that reason, they created a game based on a romance novel.

The game will not feature explicit sex, but it does follow the storyline of the book, and offers Liu fans and curious readers and gamers “things that weren’t in the book and to search for hidden objects, play minigames, listen to a film quality soundtrack, and solve puzzles, all the while following the storyline as the main characters’ relationship deepens emotionally.”

From the press release:

Tiger Eye: Curse of the Riddle Box $6.99 standard package, which includes instant download of the gameís opening cinematic, ìDelaís Dream,î and a link to download the game when it releases in April.

Players will also have the option to choose the $9.99 premium package, which includes “Dela’s Dream” and a link to the game when it goes on-sale in April; but also features the MP3 of the Tiger Eye theme film-quality soundtrack; concept art of the male heart throb, Hari; exclusive wallpaper art; and a PDF of the official strategy guide.

For those who think that Tiger Eye: Curse of the Riddle Box will be the perfect gift for a loved one (or for themselves!), holiday e-cards are available at http://www.passionfruitgames.com.  The game will be available in both Mac and PC versions.

The game itself looks visually interesting if the screen cap I was sent is any indication. I also hear that a contest is in the works to choose beta testers from among romance readers – another smart move in reaching out beyond the normal romance reading boundaries to publicize a new opportunity.

So what do you think? Interested? Not so much? Do ou game casually, or wearing a tuxedo and pearls?

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  1. Tae says:

    I’m a casual gamer.  I have DS Lite.  However, I only like certain types of games – the puzzle kind or adventure kind that has some kind of ending to them.  I dislike the games without a goal or finish line, and I’m not into the whole role playing stuff like Zelda.  I’d be interested in the game or future games if they fall into my “type” of game.

  2. cristina says:

    Very cool!!
    Hehe, I guess I’ve been a “casual gamer” for a couple years now – I have a subscription at PlayFirst.com and I love this (recent??) trend of making so many women-friendly games. 

    Congratulations to Marjorie – I have read 3 of her books (not including Tiger Eye, but that will have to change), and they are amazing, so I can not wait for this game to come out!  Please keep us updated, Smart Bitches!!

  3. Elig says:

    So excited by this one.  Tiger Eye is the first Liu I read and I was hooked.  And didn’t know it but I’m apparently a Casual gamer.  And this came just in time to answer the annual question from my mother for a Christmas present idea that does not involve underwear or bookstore gift cards.

  4. Kelly says:

    I’m so wish you hadn’t linked the Harlequin Presents game from Big Fish.  All I was to get done last night didn’t happen as I played (and eventually purchased) that game.  Sigh.

  5. Hazel says:

    Ooh, this is one to bookmark. I’m always looking for fun new PC games and M. Liu has been recommended to me by innumerable people with quite reliable taste. I’m sadly picky when it comes to both games and books.

  6. veronica says:

    Mentioned on Jimmy Fallon tonight.  Funny.

  7. CitizenCobalt says:

    Hardcore gamer here. But it’s gotta have puzzles of some kind. Whether it’s trying to figure out how to get out of the burning hospital while running like mad from the creepy thing coming down from the vent and trying to rip your head off, or getting the monkeys to help you across the cavern.

    I still have to check this out. It’s something I’ve never encountered and now I must know!

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