King Lysander points to the Crystal of Light in the “Crystal Covenant,” Eric Farr’s first video game. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — A Parkersburg man has developed his first video game, a project that has taken nearly four years.

“Crystal Covenant” is the creation of Eric Farr, 37, who has played video games since childhood. The video game was released this month.

“I always wanted to make something to play around with as well,” said Farr, whose company is called Farr Away Games.

He graduated from Parkersburg High School in 2006, joined the Navy, then obtained an associate’s degree in computer information and a bachelor’s in computer security, both from West Virginia University at Parkersburg.

Farr’s favorite game as a child was Super Mario Bros.

The towns and villages where the adventurers search for gems in the Crystal of Light in “Crystal Covenant,” a new video game by Eric Farr of Parkersburg. (Photo Provided)

The idea for “Crystal Covenant” came from his experiences with game playing at an early age, Farr said. He started the project in 2021 after several early versions were discarded.

The role-playing game is a story about King Lysander, who assembles the adventurers in a quest to search for the Crystal Light, a legendary treasure of immense power believed to exist in ancient ruins or forgotten places.

The game is similar to the genre of “Final Fantasy,” he said.

“Most of the challenge was writing the story,” Farr said.

Lysander assembles the adventurers in the secret quest, Farr said. The eight adventurers search four towns and villages in 13 levels of play for other gems creating the Crystal of Light, Farr said.

The towns and villages where the adventurers search for gems in the Crystal of Light in “Crystal Covenant,” a new video game by Eric Farr of Parkersburg. (Photo Provided)

During their quest, the adventurers come across monsters and others trying to stop them in their goal, Farr said. They do battle, each having a different talent, he said.

The adventurers are Claire the Cleric, Isaac the Thief, Flynn the Hunter, Lisette the Dancer, Oren the Warrior, Mirabell the Sorceress, Spencer the Apothecary and Holly the Explorer.

“The idea came from early RPG (role playing games) I played when I was a child,” he said.

The action-adventure game can be played from start to finish in about 12 hours, he said.

“Crystal Covenant” is Farr’s first game. He has a second in mind, this one of the metroidvania genre similar to “Hollow Knight.”

The towns and villages where the adventurers search for gems in the Crystal of Light in “Crystal Covenant,” a new video game by Eric Farr of Parkersburg. (Photo Provided)

“Crystal Covenant” is available for download for $15, Farr said.

The company rates it for players 12 and older while Farr rates it PG for fighting and some drinking.

“The content is mild,” Farr said. “There’s no blood. There’s no cussing.”

A battle scene in “Crystal Covenant” by Eric Farr of Parkersburg. (Photo Provided)

The logo for” Crystal Covenant,” a video game by Eric Farr of Parkersburg. (Photo Provided)