| My Little Investigations | |
|---|---|
 Game logo | |
| Creator(s) | GabuEx |
| Programming | ZeusAssassin dawnmew |
| Art | HallowGazer TehJadeh Abion47 WarpOut Pony Tim PonyArtist Rautakoura (Case 1) Pirill Megaman Hunter Poppun |
| Music | Trot Pilgrim (composer) X-Trav (audio engineering) ShadTK (audio engineering) Hyderpony (audio engineering, Case 2) Thenewworldman (audio engineering, Case 2) |
| Date published | May 5, 2012 (Case 1 demo 1) December 14, 2012 (Case 1 demo 2) April 9, 2014 (Case 1, full version) |
| Type of game | Adventure Mystery |
| Platform/engine | PC |
| Featuring | Twilight Sparkle |
| Based on | Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth |
| Game link(s)
| |
My Little Investigations is a video game developed by Equestrian Dreamers based on My Little Pony Friendship is Magic. It is an adventure/mystery game that features gameplay inspired by Capcom's Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth. In the game, players assume the role of Twilight Sparkle as she investigates crimes in Equestria.
On April 15, 2019, further development on the game was cancelled due to project staff turnover and positions unable to be completely filled, with Case 2 left unfinished and the assets for said case being made publicly available.[1]
Development[]
The game was originally programmed in C# using Microsoft XNA, but development later shifted to Java[2] to allow for game functionality on Mac and Linux machines. As of the second demo, development has shifted to C++.[3]
Initially, three gameplay elements unique to My Little Investigations were to be implemented in the final version: confrontations, partners, and testimonial evidence. However, the testimonial evidence concept was cut due to its impracticality and the possibility of complicating the evidence-locating process.[4]
The game's cases are to be released episodically. Following the first case's release, the development team has plans to release a case editor to allow for fan-created content.[5]
Gameplay[]
Much like the game upon which it is based, My Little Investigations is a "point-and-click" adventure, with the player controlling Twilight's movements and who or what she interacts with. For each case, the objective is to determine who the true perpetrator of the crime is; the player will sometimes be made aware of who the true perpetrator is, in which case their objective is to prove it.
Two primary phases make up the core gameplay: investigation[6] and interrogation.[7]
Investigation[]
During investigation phases, the player collects evidence from the crime scene and surrounding areas, as well as profiles of characters related to the case. Talking to other characters during "character encounters"[8] about the case and collected evidence can also yield additional evidence or update acquired evidence and profiles with new facts.
Like Ace Attorney Investigations, investigating in My Little Investigations occasionally has the player "combine" two pieces of evidence, or a piece of evidence and a character profile, to arrive at a logical conclusion and form a new piece of evidence or update current evidence based on that conclusion.
Interrogation[]
During interrogation, the player questions other characters about the results of the investigation or giving testimony. These sessions can lead to new information about the case. The player can press the witness for more information or present evidence that contradicts the statement being made.
A more battle-oriented extension of interrogations called "confrontations"[9] has the player go head-to-head against a major witness or suspect. The player and their opponent are each given a number that represents their respective "health". As with standard interrogations, the player presses their opponent for more information or presents evidence that contradicts their testimony. For each correct piece of evidence the player presents, the opponent's health drops by one. If the player presents the wrong evidence, their health drops by one. When the opponent's health drops to zero, the confrontation is a success, and the opponent subsequently confesses to committing the crime or discloses any information previously withheld. If the player's health drops to zero, the player must restart the confrontation from the beginning.
Interrogations can be conducted at any given time, even if the player does not have the right evidence to advance. Confrontations, however, only open when the player has collected all the evidence required to see them through.
Partners[]
A game mechanic intended to set My Little Investigations apart from the game it is based on is its use of "partners".[10] During the game, the player will occasionally take another character on as a temporary partner to assist with the case. Each partner has a "passive ability" and "active ability" with which to assist the player during investigations and interrogations, from coercing a less-than-talkative witness to speak to helping locate hard-to-find evidence.
Plot[]
- Main article: My Little Investigations/Case 1
Quotes[]
- "Just a minute!"
- — Twilight Sparkle's version of "Hold it!"
- "Wait a second!"
- — Twilight Sparkle's version of "Objection!"
- "How's this?!"
- — Twilight Sparkle's version of "Take that!"
Cast[]
Case 1[]
- BreeFaith - Apple Bloom, Pinkie Pie
- DivinexRose - Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo
- Flootershai - Mayor Mare
- HoodedYellowPony - Fido, Spot
- LoveKiku - Rarity, Sweetie Belle
- PrincessRil - Twilight Sparkle
- ThatCanadianDude - Rover
Case 2[]
- Adversaria - Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie
- AnnaChloeM - Princess Celestia
- Cerridwen - Lyrica Lilac
- DaWillstanator - Caesar, Gustave le Grand
- GloryOfTheRainWings - Spike, Royal Ribbon
- heathrin18 - Applejack, Sapphire Shores, Trixie
- Icyfire888 - Aunt Orange, Masquerade
- Kiles-The-Geek - Rainbow Dash
- Pretzelman718 - Uncle Orange
- PrincessRil - Jenny Juniper
- ThatCanadianDude - Philo Reed
- TheHeroOfMobius - Dim Delite
Gallery[]
Videos[]
 Release trailer |
 Case 2 casting call |
External links[]
- Equestrian Dreamers official website
- Equestrian Dreamers' YouTube channel
- Equestrian Dreamers interview with The Round Stable
- Casting Call Club webpage
References[]
- ↑ GabuEx (2019-04-15). Project Cancellation. Equestrian Dreamers. Retrieved on 2019 May 7.
- ↑ GabuEx (2011-12-26). Care for a cup of Java?. Equestrian Dreamers. Retrieved on 2014 February 18.
- ↑ zeusassassin (2012-12-14). MLI demo 2 released!. Equestrian Dreamers. Retrieved on 2014 February 18.
- ↑ GabuEx (2011-10-30). And then there were two. Equestrian Dreamers. Retrieved on 2014 February 18.
- ↑ Everfree Network (2013-07-17). Everfree Northwest 2013 - My Little Investigations. YouTube. Retrieved on 2014 February 19.
- ↑ GabuEx (2011-09-09). My Little Investigations - Engine Demo - Locations. YouTube. Retrieved on 2014 February 16.
- ↑ GabuEx (2011-07-23). My Little Investigations - Inaugural Engine Demo - Interrogations. YouTube. Retrieved on 2014 February 16.
- ↑ GabuEx (2011-08-03). My Little Investigations - Engine Demo - Character Encounters. YouTube. Retrieved on 2014 February 16.
- ↑ GabuEx (2011-11-18). My Little Investigations - Engine Demo - Confrontations. YouTube. Retrieved on 2014 February 16.
- ↑ GabuEx (2011-10-11). My Little Investigations - Engine Demo - Partners. YouTube. Retrieved on 2014 February 16.