The Cypher Premieres Halloween On the World Opponent Network

Posted on October 30, 1998

Launching Saturday, Oct. 31, 1998, on the World Opponent Network, The Cypher is a new family entertainment mystery. With no download and only a Real Player plug-in required, The Cypher provides a new type of web based entertainment.

"The Cypher is Internet entertainment programming; we think it has mass appeal comparable to television," said Scott Fasser, Product Manager for www.won.net. "All the components for The Cypher were designed with slower access speeds in mind, so that over 28.8 connections the audience's experience is completely immersive."

The Cypher weaves together three timelines -- the medieval, Victorian and late 20th century. It opens in the summer of 1900 as archeologist James Francis Ravenshim is excavating beneath the ruins of Ravenshim Castle. He discovers a series of hidden chambers containing a puzzling collection of ancient charts, diaries, weapons and mechanical devices that defy comprehension. Ravenshim believes that the answers to who collected them and why lies in a chamber hidden behind a sealed bronze door. Obsessed with the task of deciphering the secret code that can unlock it, he reaches its horrifying climax on the stroke of midnight, Dec. 31, 1999...the Millennium.

The World Opponent Network (WON) is a free online gaming environment launched earlier this year by Cendant Corporation of Stamford, Conn. WON offers a variety of online games and content of industry-leading software developers and publishing companies such as Sierra, GT InterActive, EPG Multimedia, Kellogg Creek, Imagine Games Network, Prima Publishing and other 3rd party providers. The World Opponent Network's corporate headquarters is located in Bellevue, Wash.