# Dark Arcana: The Carnival

> 2012 video game

**Wikidata**: [Q107424170](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107424170)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dark-arcana-the-carnival

## Summary
Dark Arcana: The Carnival is a 2012 single-player hidden object video game developed and published by the Polish studio Artifex Mundi. The game features a carnival-themed mystery and is available across multiple platforms, including PC, consoles, and mobile devices.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date:** October 8, 2012
- **Developer:** Artifex Mundi (based in Katowice, Poland; founded in 2006)
- **Genre:** Hidden object game
- **Platforms:** Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, and Android
- **Game Mode:** Single-player
- **Distribution:** Digital distribution via Steam, PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, and Google Play Store
- **Language Support:** Available in 10 languages, including English, Polish, and Japanese
- **Publisher:** Artifex Mundi

## FAQs
### Q: Who developed Dark Arcana: The Carnival?
A: The game was developed and published by Artifex Mundi, a video game development studio headquartered in Katowice, Poland, which has been active in the industry since 2006.

### Q: What platforms is Dark Arcana: The Carnival available on?
A: It is available on desktop systems running Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is also distributed on the PlayStation Store, the Microsoft Store, and the Google Play Store for mobile devices.

### Q: Does the game support multiple languages?
A: Yes, the game supports 10 languages for its user interface and subtitles, including English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Russian. English is the only language with recorded voice acting.

### Q: What type of gameplay does it offer?
A: It is a single-player hidden object game, focusing on puzzle-solving and item discovery within a carnival setting.

## Why It Matters
Dark Arcana: The Carnival serves as a representative title for Artifex Mundi, a developer that has carved out a significant niche in the hidden object genre. Released during a period of growth for casual adventure games, it highlights the studio's strategy of broad multi-platform accessibility. By ensuring the game runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux—and later expanding to consoles and mobile—Artifex Mundi demonstrated an early commitment to cross-platform digital distribution. 

The game’s extensive localization, covering ten different languages, reflects the global reach of the hidden object market. Its inclusion in subscription services like PlayStation Now and major storefronts like Steam and the Google Play Store underscores its role in the digital-first era of gaming. For the genre, it remains a cited example of the "Artifex Mundi style," characterized by high-production-value 2D art and specialized puzzle mechanics.

## Notable For
- **Broad Platform Support:** One of the few hidden object titles of its era to provide native support for Linux alongside Windows and macOS.
- **Extensive Localization:** Features user interface and subtitle support for 10 distinct languages to cater to a global audience.
- **Digital Distribution Reach:** Available across nearly every major digital storefront, including Steam, the PlayStation Store, and the Microsoft Store.
- **Artifex Mundi Pedigree:** Developed by a veteran Polish studio specializing in the hidden object and adventure genres since 2006.

## Body

### Development and Publication
Dark Arcana: The Carnival was developed by Artifex Mundi, a studio based in Katowice, Poland. The studio, which entered the industry in 2006, also served as the game's publisher. The title was officially released on October 8, 2012.

### Technical Specifications and Platforms
The game was designed for a wide range of operating systems and hardware:
*   **Desktop:** Microsoft Windows (released 1985), macOS (released 2001), and Linux (released 1991).
*   **Console:** Distributed via the PlayStation Store and previously available on the PlayStation Now subscription service.
*   **Mobile:** Available on Android devices through the Google Play Store (App ID: com.g5e.carnival.android).
*   **Application IDs:** The game is identified on Steam by the application ID 284730 and on OpenCritic by the ID 4698.

### Gameplay and Genre
*   **Genre:** Hidden Object Game.
*   **Mode:** Single-player.
*   **Format:** Exclusively available via digital distribution.
*   **Features:** Includes standard hidden object mechanics, puzzles, and a user interface localized for international markets.

### Localization and Languages
The game provides various levels of support for international players:
*   **Full Support (UI, Subtitles, and Voice):** English.
*   **UI and Subtitles Only:** French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Russian.

### External Identifiers
The game is cataloged across several industry databases:
*   **IGDB:** dark-arcana-the-carnival
*   **HowLongToBeat:** 18934
*   **MobyGames:** 86611
*   **PCGamingWiki:** Dark_Arcana:_The_Carnival

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "VideoGame",
  "name": "Dark Arcana: The Carnival",
  "description": "A 2012 hidden object video game developed by Artifex Mundi featuring a carnival-themed mystery.",
  "url": "http://www.artifexmundi.com/page/carnival/",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107424170"],
  "gamePlatform": ["Microsoft Windows", "macOS", "Linux", "PlayStation 4", "Android"],
  "author": {"@type": "Organization", "name": "Artifex Mundi"},
  "genre": "hidden object game",
  "datePublished": "2012-10-08",
  "gameItem": "single-player video game"
}

## References

1. Steam
2. PCGamingWiki
3. [All PS Now games A-Z](https://www.playstation.com/en-us/ps-now/ps-now-games/#all-ps-now-games)
4. RAWG
5. GameSpot
6. Lutris database
7. Giant Bomb
8. Q124398839
9. GamesMeter.nl
10. PlayStation Store
11. GOG Dreamlist