In December 2019 it was the first time we've heard about new owners of the rights of classic CD-i game franchises. It was actually because CD-i member Shikotei released a free remake of The Apprentice on Windows systems when he heard the rights of 'The Apprentice' on CD-i were sold to a new company, together with other CD-i game rights previously located at Atari. Atari decided earlier this year to clean up their portfolio and bring in some cash, so they sold the rights of certain CD-i games to other (smaller) companies (developers). This means in principle chances are getting higher that we will see a re-release of specific CD-i games on PC (steam?) or mobile platforms, including The Apprentice, Dimo's Quest and Steel Machine. Pretty awesome news, at least the rights of CD-i games are not 'lost' as we thought before, but Atari's statement was something like: "Apparently we own the rights, so with this transaction we let them go." It clears the road for developers to do something with the assets of our beloved CD-i games.
Two the companies that acquired the rights of certain CD-i games are Piko Interactive and Subvert Ltd. Now, in August 2020, it is going to materialize thanks to UK publisher Pixel Games. Pixel Games is publishing the game 'Mystic Midway: Rest in Pieces' on Steam, converted by Subvert. The releasedate will be August 20, 2020 and it marks the return of more CD-i games being redeveloped on either PC (Steam) or Android/Apple.
- Dr. Dearth in live video with a constant barrage of unwanted advice
- Multiple players scores saved in the in the high score hall of fame
- 15 elusive targets
- 10 challenging game levels
- Full fidelity CD soundtrack
Possible other CD-i games that will see a re-release through Pixel Games like Mystic Midway are:
- Alien Gate
- International Tennis Open
- Kether
- Mystic Midway: Phantom Express
- Voyeur 1
- Voyeur 2
The price is not yet known. When other CD-i titles will be published you will read it here on Interactive Dreams. Mystic Midway: Rest in Pieces was originally released on CD-i in 1991 and three years later, in 1994, Philips re-released this game on PC/DOS. CD-i developer Paul Andrews of Subvert explains: "this one is the DOS version - but we are looking at all potential options for other games as we move forward"
Publishing – Pixel Games UK. Original game by Philips P.O.V. Entertainment Group. © 2020 Subvert Ltd. Screenshots of the game in this article are actual Steam screens.
[Thanks, Kieren Hawken]