Announced this week, the adventure game that broke the fourth wall like never before in 2003, In Memoriam, will return in 10 short days in the form of a novel. On this occasion, we took the opportunity to ask three questions to its author, Eric Viennot, who wrote this adaptation with four hands with the help of Florence Beauchard.
globelivemedia.com> Is the novel a faithful adaptation of the game or have you modified some passages?
The novel chronicles Jack Lorski and Karen Gijman’s investigation in the footsteps of the Phoenix, the mysterious serial killer who sent puzzles to players. It is therefore very faithful to the main plot of the game, which was told through the videos that the player discovered as he progressed in the adventure. But the novel made it possible to enrich this framework, to give more depth to the characters and depth to the historical and esoteric aspects. In a game, we prioritize the player’s experience, sometimes to the detriment of the story. The addition of new protagonists, who were not present in the game, was necessary in order to make the story more alive and more rhythmic. The ending was also changed because it depended a lot on gameplay and was difficult to fit into the novel.
globelivemedia.com> How did the four-handed writing go? How did you divide the work?
From the game scenario, I first created the narrative structure of the novel, its division into chapters. Then, for each chapter, I wrote a summary which was then rewritten and enriched by Florence Beauchard. She added details of atmosphere, sensations, feelings of the characters which make the story more alive and which make the flavor of a novel. Sometimes we would discuss this or that detail together. She also helped flesh out the character of Karen who was a bit transparent in the game.
globelivemedia.com> In Memoriam is known as one of the games that most skillfully broke the fourth wall. Are you not afraid that the novel will be somewhat deceptive for the players who have known the game since it has been redacted from any interactive dimension?
These are two types of media and experience that are difficult to compare. In a game, the player is integrated into the story, which effectively creates an incredible immersion effect. In a novel, he becomes a spectator of the story again, but more attentive to the feelings and motivations of the characters. What motivated me to create this novel was that this story could be preserved and shared, while the game no longer exists except in the memory of the players, since it is unfortunately no longer possible to play it. today. Thanks to the novel, fans of the game will be able, 18 years after its release, to plunge back with pleasure into the main plot. It will also allow a new public who has not had the opportunity to play, to discover the scenario of the game in literary form. They are complementary forms.