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The Universe According to Virgil Reality

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The Universe According to Virgil Reality
Developer(s)7th Level
Publisher(s)7th Level
Release1996

The Universe According to Virgil Reality is a 1996 video game from 7th Level. The game is for children 8 and up.[1]

Gameplay

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The Universe According to Virgil Reality is an educational CD-ROM which blends science education with humor and animation, featuring Dr. Virgil Reality, a quirky animated professor. Players explore scientific concepts through interactive animations, experiments, and activities. The game covers topics like physics, biology, and chemistry, using engaging storytelling and humor. Dr. Virgil Reality and his sidekick Cube guide players through a series of floating pods, each containing different scientific lessons. The game includes interactive microscopes, video footage of historical scientific events, and printable experiments for hands-on learning. The animation style was inspired by classic cartoons, making the experience fun and accessible for both kids and adults. It was designed to make science entertaining, using Hollywood-style animation and voice acting to bring complex topics to life.[2]

Development

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The game was first mentioned in May 1994 when 7th Level announced today that Charles Fleischer (voice of Roger Rabbit) had signed an agreement to help create, write and narrate the game.[3] The title was originally scheduled to be released in late 1994.[3] This was pushed to November 1995[4] and finally to 1996.[5]

7th Level invested roughly a million dollars in the project.[2]

Reception

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New York Daily News gave the game a score of 2.5 out of 4, stating "Developed by a group of respected scientists and doctors worthy of the Manhattan Project, junior chemistry enthusiasts endeared by puzzles will find hours of enjoyment and a beginner's lesson in chemistry in Dr. Sulfur's world".[8]

The game needed to sell about 50,000 copies to break even.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "7th Level Breaks New Scientific Ground for Children with The Universe According to Virgil Reality". 7th Level. August 28, 1996. Archived from the original on January 29, 1998. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Malley, Chris (September 1995). "The making of multimedia". Popular Science. Archived from the original on February 7, 2025. Retrieved February 7, 2025 – via Gale Research.
  3. ^ a b "7th Level Signs Comic Charles Fleischer Voice of Roger Rabbit, to Three-Year Agreement". 7th Level. May 24, 1998. Archived from the original on February 20, 1998. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  4. ^ "Virgil Reality". CD-ROM Today. September 1995. p. 13. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  5. ^ Karo, Paul (June 17, 1996). "The Compleat Geek : He Writes, He Acts, He Paints; He's Got a Calcomp Electronic Drawing Slate". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 8, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  6. ^ "The Universe According to Virgil Reality". All Game Guide. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  7. ^ "Madcap Doctor knows all". Herald Sun. December 10, 1996. Archived from the original on February 19, 2025. Retrieved February 19, 2025 – via Gale Research.
  8. ^ a b Li, Kenneth (February 2, 1997). "Experients in science of fun". New York Daily News. p. 48. Archived from the original on August 8, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
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