FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Merit Studios Ships Long-Awaited
"HARVESTER," its Controversial,
Graphically Violent Computer Game
Not for the squeamish, dubbed "the perfect Halloween gift for the seriously deranged," the world's most disturbing game is finally released.
DALLAS October 1, 1996 - Nearly three years after the product first raised eyebrows and turned stomachs, "HARVESTER tm"
has finally been released by co-developer/distributors Merit Studios and DigiFX Interactive, Inc.
Authored by Gilbert P. Austin - who has also written leading games such as PRIVATEER and STRIKE
COMMANDER - the intense role-playing game has, appropriately enough, swept onto retail shelves
just in time for Halloween. Long awaited as the most brutal, horrific computer game ever created
- called "a graphically violent experiment in terror" - much of HARVESTER is the result of
special effects, such as groundbreaking technology that digitizes live-action movie scenes. More
than 100 actors were used to film the action, and many of them found the script "disgusting,"
according to one. In fact, ever since word of HARVESTER's development first surfaced, the media
have used words like "repugnant," "offensive," "repulsive" and even "degenerate" to describe it,
according to Merit Studios president and CEO Jack Irons. "We're going to turn some stomachs out
there," Mr. Irons said. "We received quite a bit of negative press when the product was first
announced in early 1994," he said, adding that it seemed as if the Entertainment Software Ratings
Board (ESRB) was formed virtually overnight, in response to early versions of HARVESTER.
"I fully expect to see protests against HARVESTER by any number of organizations," said Lee Jacobson,
president of DigiFX Interactive. "Groups such as NOW (National Organization for Women), Gay and Lesbian
Task Forces, and religious organizations are probably gearing up right now, because of the attention
that HARVESTER received while it was being developed," Mr. Jacobson stated, calling accusations of the
product's misogyny and cannibalism "overblown."
When HARVESTER first surfaced at the CES trade show in early 1994, reports aired on the CBS EVENING
NEWS, NBC NIGHTLY NEWS and elsewhere, decrying the product's gory content and echoing public outcry
for computer game manufacturers to establish rating standards.
Now being sold worldwide in six languages, HARVESTER has caused quite a stir in Europe. Virgin
Interactive Entertainment, the game's European publisher, had to submit HARVESTER to the British
Board Film Commission (BBBC), who would not allow the game into the country unless certain scenes
were removed. In Germany, HARVESTER is completely banned, and cannot be sold in any stores.
Public outrage has always stalked HARVESTER. Reviewers' quotes includes the following:
"DigiFX have developed an adult adventure game which is unlike anything you are likely to have ever
seen in the field of PC gaming. HARVESTER is difficult to compare with any other game and as such
should be applauded for its boldness."
- Rob Smith, PC Powerplay
"This is a creepy game featuring tried-and-true adventure mechanics with entertaining twists and
some truly disturbing full-motion video effects."
- Chris Hudak, Gamespot
" . . . there is a disturbing undercurrent to the game. Rather than walk the fine edge of the abyss
between dark comedy and obscenity, HARVESTER has jumped into said abyss with both feet and is cavorting
in its own depravity at times."
- Steve Honeywell, Happy Puppy Games Online