Mini-Mystery Series to Debut

[DeBarlo]

The world of private investigator Chase Michael DeBarlo is about to make its long-awaited game debut. After a number of false starts dating all the way back to 1997, the witty detective of Fallsbury, Massachusetts, will finally find his way to the PC this October as a collection of small, single-puzzle "mini-mysteries."

Mike Ricksecker, author of the Chase Michael DeBarlo novel Deadly Heirs, produces a monthly newsletter which includes a solvable DeBarlo mystery. The solutions for each month's case is provided in the following month's newsletter. The mini-mystery games will provide a fun and interactive way to verify the reader's solutions a month ahead of time.

Since the current story arc is already two episodes or "chapters" deep, the second chapter, "Chestnut Park," will be republished in the newsletter with the first chapter provided as a text piece from within the game menu to give new readers and players background of the case they're currently working. This may be a bit unconventional, but R&R didn't want to reboot the entire arc and force current readers to wait even longer for the third chapter. Also, the game is provided as a free additional component to the newsletter at this time.

President and Game Design Lead of R&R Developments, Mike Ricksecker explains the DeBarlo game vision. "We have big plans for Chase Michael DeBarlo in a virtual world setting. Robin and I are a bit hesitant to show our hand, but this is really just the beginning of something much larger that we think readers (and now players) of the series will really find immersive. In the short run, we're looking to expand from the stand-alone format of 'Chestnut Park' and making the gameplay more community-oriented online. It's likely we won't see that until the second 'book' as we continue to streamline and enhance what we're currently doing, but it's definitely in the works."

A special guest appearance from the rock band StoneWater (www.stonewaterrocks.com), with whom R&R Developments has worked with in the past, is also slated in a future chapter.

[Cat]

As a fan of Mike Ricksecker's work, and a follower of DeBarlo's antics through both Deadly Heirs and as a long term subscriber to the newsletter, I can definitely say I'm looking forward to the Mystery Mini-Games that are going to be put out with the newsletters now. I think it's going to be a great addition to the progressing storyline in the following months to come, as it will engage the reader deeper into the evolving mystery.