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Information Page: The Apprentice
Game TitlePublisherProducerDateGenreRequirementsCD-i Emulator Compatibility
The ApprenticePhilips Interactive Media Benelux B.V.The Vision Factory1994PlatformerDigitial Video Cartridge Optionalnot tested

Game Cover
Catalogue Numbers:
310690167-2 (USA)
8100199 (European)
Box Art:
USA Front Cover
USA Back Cover
USA Picture CD
European Front Cover
European Back Cover
European Picture CD
Game Guides/Cheats:
Official Game Guide
Cheats and FAQs
Movie Clip:
Promotional Video
1994 Winter Sampler Promotion
Relevant Articles & Interviews:
The Apprentice 2
Chris Adamson Review
Game Facts: Truly the defining game for CD-i is found in this cute title from The Vision Factory also known as SPC Vision. The game is brilliantly colourful and has some amazingly detailed levels from the backgrounds to the characters "The Apprentice" shows a high production value throughout. Taking advantage of an upgraded CD-i player with Digital Video Capabilities, the expanded memory provided by the hardware offered extra sound effects to an already very solid game. For some reason the USA version of The Apprentice plays a different soundtrack compared to the European release for the introductory scene.

Unfortunately a sequel to The Apprentice was never developed, however the idea was considered as can be seen from these Artists Impressions courtesy of an ex-employee of SPC Vision who goes by the nickname cdidev and his CD-i Developer home page provides even more tantalising information from this talented yet underrated company. Through this website cdidev also reveals some interesting cheat codes for The Apprentice including Level Select and codes to activate special Game Over endings including one Fatality, two Animality and a selection of five Nudality animations (See "Fatality, Animality and that Nudality" below). A Space Invaders game can also be activated (See "Cute Invaders" boxout below) that is in fact an early prototype of the Invaders game featured in Golden Oldies 1 released three years after The Apprentice.

From the Disc

Most CD-i Games have "Abstract", "Bibliographic" and "Copyright" details on the softwares disc itself, any interesting information in these files can be found below.

Abstract: THE APPRENTICE, This is the story of a week in the life of the wizards apprentice, Marvin. You must successfully complete the tasks set for you by Gandorph S. Wandburner. This will take you to many different places and you will have to solve various puzzles and defeat numerous enemies to accomplish your tasks.

Bibliographic: The Apprentice

    Programming by Tim Moss
    Graphics by Luke Verhulst
    Game design by Luke Verhulst and Tim Moss
    Music by Joost Egmond

    A 1994 Vision Factory production in cooperation with Philips Interacive Media inc.

Copyright: Copyright Philips Interactive Media International Limited 1994

Cute Invaders: Well past the commerical demise of Philips CD-i, Cheat Codes for The Apprentice have only recently been released on April 24, 2005 by an anonymous developer from SPC Vision that we only know as cdidev. One of these cheat codes opens up a mini game which turns out to be a Space Invaders clone only this time with a typcial SPC Vision twist substituting the alien hordes with cute teddy bears and chicks of the feathered variety! This cute little Space Invaders clone was called "Marvinvaders" by the SPC Vision team and is possibly the cutest classic conversion ever undertaken!

Marvinvaders, Screen 1 Marvinvaders, Screen 2 Marvinvaders, Screen 3 Marvinvaders, Screen 4

Fatality, Animality and that Nudality: On the surface a cute platformer with one too many anime themes, The Apprentice reveals itself to be slightly more than we ever imagined with a host of Game Over manoeuvres from Fatality to Animality and even the controversial Nudality scenes! Activated through Cheat Codes only published in recent times, it's doubtful this would have ever made it passed Philips Media censors if they had prior knowledge, but it slipped through undetected and the game was stamped "suitable for all ages" by the voluntary age rating body ELSPA. Here's a little sneak preview of what's on offer...

Game Over, Fatality Screen 1 Game Over, Fatality Screen 2 Game Over, Fatality Screen 3 Game Over, Fatality Screen 4 Game Over, Fatality Screen 5 Game Over, Fatality Screen 6



Credits: Outside of the Bibliographic supplied on the disc itself, the in-game credits reveal more details of the people involved with The Vision Factorys most ambitious project on the CD-i.

A Vision Factory Production, Credits 1 Production, Credits 2 Character Design, Credits 3 Pretentious Programming, Credits 4 Magical Music, Credits 5 Silly Sound Effects, Credits 6 Technical Support, Credits 7 Malicious Map Editor, Credits 8 Manical Main Map Design, Credits 9 Additional Map Design, Credits 10 Introduction Sequence Design, Credits 11 Image Processing, Credits 12 Pentagraphical Contributions, Credits 13 Hidden Game Coding, Credits 14 Playtesting and Cover Design, Credits 15 Sound Processing, Credits 16 Japanese Translations, Credits 17 Big Bosses, Credits 18 Best Quiff, Credits 19 Tim says Hi To, Credits 20 Tim was Musically Sustained by, Credits 21 Luke says Hi To, Credits 22 Luke was Musically Entertained by, Credits 23 That's It! T H E E N D!! Credit Girl Copyright Screen

Release Information & The Rumour Mill

USA Release: This game was distributed in a plain regular CD jewel case with a closed slipcase.

European Release: This game was distributed in a regular CD jewel case with a golden CD-i impression on the top left front of the spine.

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