Inspired by a legend whose origins date back to the dawn of our civilization, Khetemet invites us to rediscover our history, from ancient Egypt to the Middle Ages. It is a unique epic that breaks the apparent boundaries of time and space. Civilizations may forget… but the symbols are always present and allow us to explore forgotten worlds.
13 enigmas regularly released will allow you to win the treasure.
The Trophy is a special creation, valued at €10,000. This unique piece for this adventure stands as a very important challenge. Rich in symbols, the sword surrounded by a laurel branch weaves links between different eras, different places.
The legend and the 13 enigmas will be published over a year, starting from Friday, October 13, 2006, at 1:13 pm 13 s. Addressed to a very wide audience, this free game will allow puzzle enthusiasts to delve into the past, for the curious to look at history with interest, and for those unafraid of dreaming to enter a multi-millennial legend.
In this adventure… there will be only one winner to whom the Khetemet Trophy will be awarded…
Nice Première interviewed Philippe Contal to learn more about Khetemet and Histophile, the young company responsible for this modern grail headquartered in Baillargues, a few kilometers from Montpellier in the Hérault. Discover Khetemet: https://www.khetemet.com
Nice Première: Can Khetemet be defined as a virtual Grail with internetized Indiana Jones or just a simple web game?
Philippe Contal: The quest is virtual (and bookish) but the Trophy is indeed real. The 13 enigmas will invite visitors to “revisit history,” to engage in it playfully. For the most curious, discoveries will mark the quest. Some often-forgotten threads can be dusted off…
The origin of the name and the course of Khetemet is indeed akin to the Grail. The medieval vision we’ve inherited draws its sources from ancient Egypt. The Khetemet was a sacred vase kept in the heart of Abydos, a very important spiritual center of the Old Kingdom. Alongside Osiris’s head, this vase symbolized the creation of the world. But what is the link between a vase and a sword surrounded by laurel, you might ask? Well, the answer will be revealed over the next twelve months.
NP: When did this idea occur to you and why?
PC: I love history but not the one they tried to teach me a few years ago. The game took shape over several months, and it was through the confrontation of emerging ideas that the concept truly formed. Modestly, we are going to try to share this interest in history through a playful approach. Associating seriousness with fun is not our usual practice as we always want to categorize things. Yet, just because the origin is legendary does not mean the message is without interest. It is even the main reason legends exist.
From a pragmatic point of view, the treasure hunt associated with a legend and a Trophy is a communication tool in perfect harmony with our desire for differentiation. Instead of doing an advertising campaign, it’s better to bring real added value to make ourselves known… at least I believe so.
NP: Who can participate? How many registered users do you have? Are they regulars or novices?
PC: Everyone can participate, and it’s free… The answers will have to be submitted in an individual and secure space. The accounts’ opening will be operational in a few days.
We currently have over 600 registered, even though the game only starts on October 13. Over the game’s one-year duration, I think we should reach 8,000 to 10,000 participants. Among the initial subscribers, we naturally find the regulars of Histophile and our publications, but it is clear that Khetemet is starting to find its relative autonomy in terms of audience.
NP: Briefly present Histophile and its activities.
PC: We are a company selling directly and by mail order products derived from history, fantasy, and symbolism. We have nearly a thousand products organized into universes and families.
Our universes cover a large timeline: ancient Egypt, Celts (opening soon), Middle Ages, Cathars, Templars, Occitania, dragons & legends, The Lord of the Rings, medieval armory, armory of the Rising Sun, symbolism… Among our product families, the two armories represent our largest activity hub, closely followed by jewelry and then home decoration items.
We strive to provide quality service by offering maximum information about the products we offer, in terms of both their historical origins and their manufacturing processes. As much as possible, we integrate new products only after researching their inspirations, manufacturing, and use. We emphasize the educational dimension because we believe we are at a time when commerce has lost its meaning by becoming mass-produced. Being in a niche allows us to offer services and advice that our clientele appreciates. A notice presenting an ushabti or advice on materials used for making medieval swords are differentiating factors in line with our vision and image.
Our evolution is also oriented towards the personalization of our products. An investment has recently been made in this direction. Stay tuned in the coming weeks…
Histophile’s website: https://www.histophile.com/
