14 DAY TRIAL // Majesco, one of the best known creators and publishers of casual games, is announcing its new title, Marker Man Adventures, which is being developed by Glyphic Entertainment. It is based on the concept of drawing as a gaming device, making players use their drawing skills to solve certain puzzle and physics challenges which will result in the main character getting hold of his lost dog companion, aptly named Doodle Dog.
In the press release marking the unveiling of the game, Majesco promises that it will offer gamers the chance to "use logic and can collect power-ups to help solve intricate themed puzzles set in underwater, outer space and ice environments, among others". There will be a variety of hidden areas in the game world and some surprises for those players that will take the time to explore everything the title has to offer.
The drawing mechanic bears some interesting similarities to two games that have recently been in the spotlight. There's Independent Games Festival winner Crayon Physics, which uses drawing as a means to manipulate the game world, and there is the recently launched Okami which uses a similar mechanic in the course of the game.
Majesco might be taking the trends as interesting and integrating them in its own games. As a casual game publisher, the company needs to focus on providing captivating experiences so that the player should not be frustrated. Drawing is inherent to most humans and the control scheme of the Nintendo DS facilitates the natural motions of the hand through the use of the stylus; thus, drawing in Marker Man Adventures should be easy and fun for all those interested in the game.
Majesco wants its new product to be on shelves in stores before the holiday season and there's talk that the game might see a Nintendo Wii version.