Harsh Realm

(Harsh Realm)

 The Story

"Technology and the threat of nuclear annihilation in the last half of the 20th Century have changed the world forever. They've changed war and it's consequences as they have forever changed the battlefield and the warriors who must still fight them. It's been estimated that a nuclear device the size of a small suitcase smuggled in and detonated in New York City would kill several million people instantly and many times that amount with radioactive fallout. This scenario compelled the D.O.D to create the project code named Harsh Realm. Using the 1990 census, Satellite cartography, and other classified data the creators of Harsh Realm have simulated a virtual reality where landscapes and people are identical to our world. Down to every man, woman, and child. By putting players in this simulated crisis scenario we could protect. . . . . "

While he is on the way to marry his betrothed Sophie, the Lieutenant Thomas Hobbes, veteran of the Bosnia war, is given a last mission. His military superiors need him to test a military virtual reality software, Harsh Realm. Harsh Realm project is the ultimate simulator created to protect our world from the threat of nuclear annihilation in the last half of the 20th Century. Using the 1990 census, Satellite cartography, and other classified data the creators of Harsh Realm have simulated a virtual reality where landscapes and people are identical to our world. But the game escaped from the control of soldiers and the Major Omar Santiago reigns in despot on this potential world swept by the nuclear apocalypse. Hobbes is the only who can defeat Santiago who travels from one world to the next with ease. Harsh Realm indefinitely traps military officers. In this awfull virtual world, helped by Mike Pinnochio, Hobbes quickly discovers that Harsh Realm is much more than a simple game... Controlled by Santiago, the virtual world of Harsh Realm could eventually take over the "real" world.

"Harsh Realm" crew - Harsh Realm
"Harsh Realm" crew

This American series created by Chris Carter (the creator of the X-Files) is inspired by the "Harsh Realm" comic book series created by James D. Hudnall and Andrew Paquette. It was first aired on the 8th October 1999 by Fox Network who cancelled HR after just three shows were aired because of the insufficient hearing and despite 13 episodes and an order for 9 more episodes. Chris Carter made admit to the producers the lack of suitable promotion around the series. Harsh Realm returned to the air in March 2000 on Fox's FX Cable station. So far the series is therefore composed of 9 episodes of 50 minutes.

Lieutenant Thomas Hobbes - Harsh Realm
Lieutenant Thomas Hobbes

Directors
Cliff BOLE, Jefery LEVY, Kim MANNERS, Daniel SACKHEIM, Larry SHAW, Bryan SPICER, Tony TO

Scriptwriters
Chris CARTER, Steven MAEDA, John SHIBAN, Frank SPOTNITZ, Greg WALKER

Omar Santiago - Harsh Realm
Omar Santiago
Mike Pinnochio - Harsh Realm
Mike Pinnochio