This week was both a week of mourning and of remembrance for fans of the late David Bowie, who passed away on January 10 at the age of 69. He was regarded by many as an innovator, and his creative vision spanned a cosmos of popular media, from music, to film, to visual art. Many people are unaware, however, that Bowie also delved into the world of video gaming with Quantic Dream’s Omikron: The Nomad Soul, which released in 1999 for Microsoft Windows and in 2000 for the Sega Dreamcast. Bowie created and performed the game’s soundtrack, in addition to contributing to the game’s story and providing the faces and voices for several of its characters.
In memoriam of Bowie’s passing, Square Enix announced on Twitter yesterday that they are giving Omikron out for free on PC platforms. The offer runs until January 22, or Friday next week.
Those interested in playing the unusual title for free can do so by visiting this page and using the code “omikron” when purchasing the game.
Please note that you will need to create a Square Enix store account before you are able to enter the checkout process.
Omikron: The Nomad Soul is an Adventure game set in a futuristic metropolis named Omikron. Gameplay incorporates mechanics from a swathe of different gaming genres, from first-person shooters to puzzle games. At the start of the game, the player is asked by an Omikronian police officer to leave their own dimension (our world) so that they may enter Omikron. During their stay, the player will investigate a string of serial murders taking place in the city. They will also discover the secrets to Omikron’s dark past, as well as interact with the city’s oppressive supercomputer, Ix.
Bowie himself plays a hacker and cyber-pirate named Boz, who has ascended to the state of a “virtual being” called “The Rider.”
Though Omikron initially released on PCs and the Dreamcast, it was to also receive ports on Sony’s PlayStation and Playstation 2. These versions, however, were canceled due to poor sales of the Dreamcast version. Eidos Interactive published the original game, but was absorbed into Square Enix in 2009. This explains how Square Enix is able to publish Omikron today.
Omikron may appear dated when viewed under a contemporary lens, but it’s still worth checking out to see Bowie’s creative vision applied to video games. And at no charge, Omikron can be your special – and unconventional – way of celebrating his contributions to the artistic world.