Cyberdreams

**Cyberdreams** (officially **Cyberdreams Interactive Entertainment**) was a Los Angeles-based game development company that lasted from 1990 until 1997. It was known for such titles as *CyberRace*, *I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream*, *Noir: A Shadowy Thriller*, as well as *Dark Seed* and its sequel, *Dark Seed II*. It often boasted that it "targets multimedia enthusiasts who appreciate sophisticated storylines, complex puzzle structures, state-of-the-art animation and cutting edge interactive technology."

## History

The company was founded in 1990 by Patrick Ketchum, who had previously founded Datasoft, and Rolf Klug, who served as CEO. Mike Dawson, who was fresh out of college at the time, described the situation at the company in its very early days:

> The 'company' was, at the time, just the president, Patrick Ketchum, and a programmer, John Krause, who were working out of Pat’s house. After Pat interviewed me and read some of my writing, he hired me as a game designer/producer/writer – remember, there were only three of us at that point!
>
>

Dawson also described the often busy, overworked experienced of the small company:

> Because we were so small, we had to do a lot... I got to write, design and help make games. In many ways, the job was a blast. But it was also tough. We were a start-up, and as such, we were constantly spending money while generating no income.
>
>

The company very first game was initially going to be Evolver, a side-scrolling action game. However, it was never finished.

The company collaborated with H.R. Giger to make *Dark Seed*, which would be the company's very first published game, in 1992. Over $600,000 were invested into the game, much of which may have been spent getting H.R. Giger's approval to use his artwork. The game turned out to be a sleeper hit. The company announced that it planned to release two games a year, and to focus on the horror and science fiction genres.

*CyberRace* would be the next published title, released in 1993. Here, they would work with Syd Mead, who had done vehicle designs for films such as *2010*, *Aliens*, *Blade Runner*, and *Tron*. Ketchum had become fascinated with his designs, and had wanted to do a project with him.

Despite the fact that Cyberdreams had grown by this time, their production model was not the same as other startup companies. They rarely hired or utilized in-house artists, instead looking for out-house artists and talent, then utilizing development companies to implement game designs. This would continue for much of the company's tenure.

Cyberdreams began to work with Gary Gygax, creator of *Advanced Dungeons & Dragons*, to create *Hunters of Ralk*, which was to be the first in a series of games. It was scheduled to be released in Fall of 1995, but endured two years of development before it was canceled.

Two major successes for the company were released in 1995: *Dark Seed II* and *I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream*. The latter involved the work of famous science fiction author Harlan Ellison, and would go on to win *Computer Gaming World's* Premier Award for Best Adventure Game of the Year.

That same year, Cyberdreams planned to release a game version of *Species* in cooperation with MGM Interactive. Despite a third chance to work again with Giger (whose artwork had contributed to the film), as well as consultation with Dennis Feldman, who wrote and co-produced the film, the game never materialized in its planned release of 1996. Another game, *The Incredible Shrinking Character*, was also scheduled for 1996, but never materialized. *Reverence* likewise was announced, but due to financial hardships the game never left the alpha stage.

Ketchum left in 1996, selling half of his interest in the company to Klug, after which Paul Licari became general manager. This was due to an "internal shake up" by investors who wanted to take the company in the direction of third party publishing.

By early 1997, staff members were beginning to leave the company, and the website went down. By June of 1997, the phones were no longer being answered. One final game, *Wes Craven's Principles of Fear*, had already released a playable demo that year, and was scheduled to be released, yet never materialized due to the company's being dissolved. The company's dissolution ultimately happened because Klug decided to focus on his other business venture.

## Published Titles

### Released Titles

* *Dark Seed* (1992)
* *CyberRace* (1993)
* *Red Hell* (1993)
* *Dark Seed II* (1995)
* *I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream* (1995)
* *Noir: A Shadowy Thriller* (1996)

### Unreleased Titles

* *Hunters of Ralk* (later released in 1999 as *Legendary Adventure*)
* *Wes Craven's Principles of Fear*
* *Evolver*
* *Species*
* *The Incredible Shrinking Character* (a playable beta demo was later released)
* *Reverence* (later leaked as a playable prototype)
* *Ares Rising* (later released by another publisher)
* *Blue Heat: The Case of the Covergirl Murders* (later published by Orion Interactive)

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20130610173300/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/MGM+Interactive+forms+multimedia+product+alliance+with+Cyberdreams...-a017027212
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 https://archive.org/details/cuamiga-magazine-036/page/n41/mode/2up?view=theater
3. ↑ https://opencorporates.com/companies/us\_ca/C1573282
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 https://www.gamedeveloper.com/pc/playing-catch-up-i-darkseed-i-s-mike-dawson
5. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20220505174909/https://www.game-nostalgia.com/companies/cyberdreams/cyberdreams\_company\_history\_1.html
6. ↑ *Dark Seed II* manual, pg. 24
7. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20211101215723/https://www.game-nostalgia.com/companies/cyberdreams/cyberdreams\_company\_history\_2a.html
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 https://www.mobygames.com/company/cyberdreams-inc
9. ↑ https://www.csoon.com/issue3/wces95.htm
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 https://www.mobygames.com/company/cyberdreams-inc
11. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/19961101213432/http://www.cyberdreams.com/
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 https://www.unseen64.net/2010/10/31/the-shrinking-characters-psx-sat-pc-cancelled/
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 https://u64leaks.tumblr.com/post/135403734258/reverence-pc-prototype-leak
14. ↑ https://www.ketchumphotography.com/test
15. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/412744805454838/photos/cyberdreams-a-californian-based-company-published-five-games-during-its-existenc/414680235261295/