The Treasure of the Sierra On-Line (KQ)

Inspired by Al Lowe and Jane Jensen's recent Kickstarters, I have decided to write a blog about Sierra On-Line memories. Scott Murphy and Mark Crowe have also returned!


King's Quest I SCI Demo

Not too very long after discovering Space Quest Collection: Roger Wilco Unclogged at Best Buy, I also discovered King's Quest Collection. It featured King's Quest I: Quest for the Crown, King's Quest II: Romancing the Throne, King's Quest III: To Heir is Human, King's Quest IV: The Perils of Rosella, King's Quest V: Absence Makes the Heart Go Yonder, and King's Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow. If King's Quest was filled with the same sense of charm, wittiness, and wonderment as Space Quest, I knew that I would enjoy the series. Indeed, to that end, it was. King's Quest is a lovingly crafted tale of adventure, filled with exciting characters, enchanting lands, and a brilliant soundtrack. It begins in a magnificent land known as Daventry. King Edward the Benevolent is gravely ill, and with no heir to the throne, he must find a suitable replacement. He calls on Sir Graham, the bravest of his knights, to find three missing treasures. If he is successful in this quest, he will rule Daventry upon the death of King Edward. Sir Graham returns with the three treasures just in the nick of time. With the king's dying words, Sir Graham becomes King Graham of Daventry.

As foretold by the magic mirror, one of the treasures that King Graham collected in his quest for the crown, he would go on to have many more adventures. In hopes of finding a queen to fill the vacant seat on his throne, King Graham would embark on a journey to the mysterious land of Kolyma. I am a little surprised that Sierra did not call this Queen's Quest! Valanice, a princess being held captive by an evil witch named Hagatha, would come to be rescued by King Graham, and they would be married (Valanice, not Hagatha). Their children, Prince Alexander and Princess Rosella, would years later have adventures of their own, and their legacies would live on for generations to come.


Making of King's Quest

Sometime after I discovered King's Quest Collection, I happened upon King's Quest Companion, 4th Edition at Crown Books. No pun intended! King's Quest Companion covered the six games that I knew about, as well as a seventh game, King's Quest VII: The Princeless Bride. It contained far more detailed plot information than the games themselves could ever hope to provide. It also featured a map of every land in the Kingdom of Daventry, a checklist of things to do, and solutions to those dreaded mazes. It really helped me through some of the harder sections of the King's Quest series. I just wish that they had printed "DON'T FORGET TO PICK UP THE LEG OF LAMB!" in bold typography somewhere. Anyone that has played King's Quest V will immediately know what I am referring to.

With Al Lowe, Jane Jensen, Mark Crowe, and Scott Murphy all concurrently returning to adventure game development, one has to wonder if Roberta Williams still has game design aspirations, and if she too could be planning a comeback. Only time (and money) will tell!


Roberta Williams Documentary


My King's Quest Collection


My Big Box Adventure Game Collection

Does thou truly wish to cease our adventuring? Thank you for reading The Treasure of the Sierra On-Line! I still have a few other things that I would like to dig up, but for now, this will conclude the blog. Also, if you are looking for a set of high resolution King's Quest icons to use with your collection, feel free to use this set that I made back in 2007: kqico.zip

The Treasure of the Sierra On-Line Photo Set (Facebook Link)