The Sydney Mystery :: Production

Credits

The game was initially the product of one person, Brendan Reville.  Brendan is responsible for the game concept, story, puzzle design, script, photography, filming, music, sound and AGE engine programming.

Further credit goes to Dean Halford, who helped bring the game to completion through a great deal of additional scripting, art and sheer enthusiasm.

The game would have been impossible with a team of enthusiastic volunteers, friends and family, who contributed many skills to the product.  These include the actors, equipment owners and Brendan's family, who put up with this hobby.

AGE Adventure Game Engine... Programmed by Brendan Reville

AGE is the underlying engine that delivers the adventure game experience.  Old information on licensing the engine is available at www.twilightsoftware.com/age.  Brendan wrote the engine while enjoying his summer holidays during a computer science degree.

The Sydney Mystery... Designed, written, photographed, filmed and produced by Brendan Reville

Brendan had wanted to do a mystery adventure game set in Sydney for many years, and with the world's interest focusing on the city in the year 2000, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to begin.  Brendan set about creating a game from scratch, requiring a great deal of work and perseverance.  It took until 2003 for him to release it!

The Performers

Narrator... Liz Bourke

Liz contributes her Aussie accent to the narration of the main character - the niece of Uncle Fred.

Uncle Fred... Justin Downey

Justin Downey lives next door to Twilight Software headquarters, in the suburbs north of Sydney.  After playing a great part in the forthcoming title The Millennium Adventure, Justin brought his enthusiasm to the new part of the kidnapped uncle.

Reg... Ray Kearney, PhD

With a doctor in philosophy from Oxford, Ray is probably overqualified to play our uncle's loyal friend Reg.  At any rate, he delivered an excellent performance, just as he did in the forthcoming title the Millennium Adventure too.

Sharlene... Moira Hutchinson

Playing the part of our uncle's next-door neighbour is Brendan's aunt Moira.  While new to acting, she did a great job playing the neighbour, who appears to be warm and friendly.

Dame Gertrude... Eileen Shannon

Brendan's Nana plays the part of the wealthy and well-connected Dame Gertrude.  With experience in art and debating, as well as a bit-part in The Millennium Adventure, Mrs. Shannon delivers a well-controlled performance.

The Secretary... Catherine Cooper

Catherine is an old school-friend of Brendan's friend Susan Choy, and her bubbly personality made her the perfect choice for a pleasant and helpful secretary.  Catherine is studying to be an actuary, which means she's smart, too!

Michael Idon... Mike Igguldon

Mike's charisma and professional appearance made him the obvious choice to play Mr. Idon, the chairman of the Exa Corporation.  Amongst other things, Mike works as a motivational speaker.

The Waiters... Michael and Karina Chin

In real life, Michael and Karina Chin are indeed waiters at their family restaurant The Jalan Sehala, in inner-city Enmore.  Michael works as a teacher, while Karina for the government; their parents run this popular restaurant.

Beachman... Peter Howie

Peter is an old school-friend of Brendan's, and works as a senior graphic designer at an advertising company.  His bravery - wearing a koala suit on a popular Sydney beach on a weekend morning - is notable!

Snakey... Gwydion Elderwyn

Gwydion delivered a stellar performance as the small-time crook Snakey, bringing new levels of sliminess and evil to the computer screen.  Gwydion has a significant interest in film-making and animation.  Gwydion will also appear in The Millennium Adventure.

Jessica Doe... Nicolette Armansin

With significant experience in theatre, Nicolette brought professionalism and style to the part of Jessica Doe, a policewoman on assignment in bushland overlooking Sydney Harbour.  Nicolette studies commerce and also played a major part in The Millennium Adventure.  We filmed Nicolette on a very windy day - it was a major struggle to even stay standing!

Locations

Locations appear courtesy of the following:

  • Eileen Shannon
  • Sam Tarlington & Robin Burgess
  • Shanno & Barry Sanders
  • Moira & Frank Hutchinson
  • Floriana Chan
  • Kevin Reville
  • The Chin Family
  • The Projectroom

Equipment

Equipment was provided by very generous people:

Still camera... Shanno Sanders

Shanno lent an awesome SLR camera which had the advantage of a very wide-angle lens, allowing for great shots on all locations that really immerse the player in the environment.

Video Camera... Paul Fiore

Paul lent his excellent digital video camera, which was used in tandem with a professional shotgun microphone for the filming.

Assistance

A few people also lent a hand by assisting with the filming and production...

  • Susan Choy
  • Gwydion Elderwyn
  • Paul Fiore
  • Carl Hutchinson
  • Michael Reville

Thanks

And huge thanks go to the family who put up with it all...

Kevin, Geraldine, Justin, Michael.