SierraGamers - The Official Website Of Ken and Roberta Williams, Creators of Sierra On-Line

The Silver Lining Episode 1 Now Available

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

After many years of blood sweat and tears, Phoenix Online Studios is proud to release The Silver Lining Episode One: What Is Decreed Must Be. The Silver Lining is a fan-made sequel to Roberta Williams' landmark best-selling adventure game series, King's Quest. The game is divided into five episodes, the first of which is now available to download for free, just click here.
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The Fans Have Spoken

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

And Activision has listened. They have rescinded the cease & decist order recently placed upon Phoenix Online Studios, the team behind The Silver Lining, and the game is now scheduled for release! Read all the details at the Studios' new website.

The first episode of this game will be freely available from the NEW Silver Lining website. Head on over right now and check out the new trailer! The game will be released on July 10.

The Silver Lining is a fan-made sequel to Roberta William's ground-breaking adventure series, King's Quest and has been in development by a team of volunteers for over 8 years.

DOSBOX v 0.74 Released!

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

A few weeks ago the immensely talented team behind DOSBox released version 0.74 with a slew of fixes and enhancements. DOSBox is a DOS-emulator that allows modern computers to run games written for MS-DOS and was the official emulator shipped with Vivendi's last package compilations of King's Quest, Police Quest, Space Quest and Leisure Suit Larry.

DOSBox is available free of charge for Mac, Linux, and of course, Windows, and allows you to replay all your Sierra classics, exactly as you remember them.

Download the latest version now!

-Scott

Relive Sierra's Smash Hit Series, Gabriel Knight

Fri, 21 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

This weekend only, Good Old Games is featuring Sierra's highly acclaimed, award-winning series, Gabriel Knight. Each game in the series is just 6 bucks or get all 3 for $12.57. Head on over to http://www.gog.com/en/promo/gabriel_knight and check it out!

-Scott

Ken & Roberta Are On Their Way To Japan

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Ken and Roberta Williams (the couple who founded and built Sierra... in case you live under a rock and didn't know!) are returning to their boat 'San Souci' in Japan for another great adventure.

Since retiring several years ago, Ken and Roberta have spent quite a bit of time travelling around the world by boat. Last summer they dubbed their trip the 'Great Siberian Sushi Run' (GSSR), sailing from Seattle to Japan with two other couples in their own boats. This year they will be joined by a third and are planning to travel from Osaka, Japan to Hong Kong.

You can follow along with Ken and Roberta by visiting Ken's Blog. Ken writes a very entertaining and informative journal of his trips so be sure to check for regular updates or subscribe for e-mail updates. Ken's blogs from his three previous trips have been beautifully printed and include tons of full color photographs. The books are available in electronic (Acrobat .pdf) or printed format at Ken's Bookstore.

We'll be posting updates of their trip here as they reach major milestones. Bon Voyage Ken and Roberta!

-Scott

More Gray Matter News!

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

CORT-X, the Unofficial Gray Matter Website has posted more news on Jane Jensen's upcoming PC game, Gray Matter. Check out new screenshots, a new interview, and more!

Although the Gray Matter developer has not yet announced an official release date, Amazon.co.uk has listed Gray Matter for pre-purchase with a release date of September 24, 2010. It is listed for the PC (DVD) and XBOX 360 platform.

New Jane Jensen Interview

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

PC Game Examiner has released a new intreview with Jane Jensen, creator of the Gabriel Knight series and designer of the upcoming game Gray Matter. In the interview, Jane discusses various elements of the game, the state of the computer gaming industry, what she's done since Gabriel Knight, and what lies ahead with both Gray Matter and Gabriel Knight...

Interview

Source: CORT-X The Unofficial Gray Matter Website

Gray Matter: The Soundtrack

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Jane Jensen has updated her blog, giving us a few more details on the progress on Gray Matter and about the music. As with each installment of Gabriel Knight, Jane's husband Robert Holmes will be involved like never before in the soundtrack for the game. Jane also tells us that Gray Matter has entered early stages of beta-testing and seems "worthy to be the GK successor". Read the full blog update here. Did I mention Jane's blog includes a link to download a free MP3 from the Gray Matter soundtrack?

Thanks to CORT-X, The Unofficial Gray Matter Website for the update!

I think I know what it feels like to be a Mets fan

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In the latest move demonstrating the deep understanding game companies today have of their audience, Icarus Studios has decided to press ahead with the Sam Suede game. Sam Suede was a highly anticipated game touted a few years ago as Al Lowe's triumphant return to gaming. In the same sleazy way that the last two "Leisure Suit Larry games" were presented the new studio has left Al Lowe standing on the sidelines and is going to try to milk whatever buzz existed into a release of a game. In college if you submit a paper you got off the internet that someone else wrote you are usually flunked for plagiarism. In the gaming world you usually end up with a low budget release that consumers view with the same disdain that you obviously view them and the originator of the ideas with.

Come on Icarus - do the right thing. Go back and look at the increasing sales figures for every single Al Lowe game he ever made. Each one sold more than the last - until some MBA grad decided they could cash in on the Leisure Suit Larry name without Al. Then it took two moronic epic adventures to reach a $20 price point and almost zero sales. Pick up the phone and call Al Lowe. You will certainly sell at least one more copy of the game than you would otherwise and might just put one of the best game developers in history back to work in a way that would benefit you, the gamers and Al himself. - Andy

Putting The 'Good' in 'Good Old Games'

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Despite the disappointing news from the Silver Lining Team (See blog entry below), Activision continues to support releases on Good Old Games. Available NOW is Phantasmagoria: A Puzzle of Flesh and coming Thursday is Return To Krondor. Each is just $5.99 and comes with hi def wallpaper. As with all GOG.com releases, they are fully compatible with Windows XP/Vista 32 and 64-bit editions.

Written by Lorelei Shannon, A Puzzle of Flesh is a psychological horror thrill ride. Play Curtis Craig, a normal 9-5 guy living a seemingly normal life... until his co-workers start turning up dead. As Curtis begins to uncover who may be responsible he pieces together clues from his past that make him question the very core of his identity. A Full Motion Video (FMV) game originally released in 1996. Get it now!

The role playing game (RPG) Return to Krondor is the sequel to Betrayal at Krondor. As James, it is your mission to recover the immensely powerful Tear of the Gods before it falls into the wrong hands. Originally released in 1998. Get it Thursday!

-Scott

Can The Silver Lining Be Saved?

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Just hours after announcing that Activision has put a halt to the release of Phoenix Studios' The Silver Lining, a massive movement went underway to save the project.
Please take a moment to sign the petition here. Join the Facebook page here, then go here to obtain a form letter that you can e-mail, snail mail, or fax to Activision (Better yet, do all three!). Although the goal is to encourage Activision to reconsider their decision on TSL, this movement may also demonstrate just how strong and alive the Sierra Fan community is and that maybe, just maybe, there is a solid market for adventure games after all :) Thank you to everyone for your support.

Activision Shuts Down KQ Fan Game The Silver Lining

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

After eight years of toil and sacrifice (and no paycheque) the team behind the King's Quest-inspired game, The Silver Lining, has been ordered by Activision to shut down. The team worked very hard to receive a non-commercial license for the game when Sierra was owned by Vivendi Universal. However, Sierra is now owned by Activision and they seem to have no interest in allowing this game to continue. The first part of the game was scheduled for release this spring.

Full Story

Greg plays Leisure Suit Larry

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Over at webcomic Real Life, Greg Dean finally gets around to playing Leisure Suit Larry with some help from his wife. - Andy

Are You Ready To Face The Beast Within?

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The second chapter in Jane Jensen's award-winning series, Gabriel Knight, is now available for download at Good Old Games (gog.com)! Praised as one of the most successful implementation of Full Motion Video (FMV) technology in a computer game, Gabriel Knight 2: The Beast Within is a whopping 2400 MB. And it can be all yours, fully Windows XP/Vista compatible (32 or 64 bit) for just $5.99! Download now!

Daventry Needs You!

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Why is Roberta Williams hailed as the Queen of Adventure Gaming and a Master Storyteller? Find out this Thursday when Good Old Games (www.gog.com) releases King's Quest 4+5+6 for a mere $9.99! Travel to Tamir as Rosella in KQIV, and find the magical fruit that can save the King of Daventry. The journey is not an easy one though, danger lurks at every turn and if you can't recover the fairy Genesta's talisman you may never make it home. KQIV was Sierra's first game to feature support for sound cards improved graphics thanks to the new SCI engine.

In King's Quest V, King Graham arrives home to find his castle and family have vanished into thin air. Can you help Graham find who is responsible and save his family in time? KQV was the first Sierra game to feature VGA graphics and voice over talent.

With the help of the Magic Mirror, Prince Alexander sets sail for the Land of the Green Isles to rescue his beloved Princess Cassima in King's Quest VI. You may have to play this one a few times as two very different endings are possible! Co-designed by Jane Jensen of the critically acclaimed Gabriel Knight series and featuring the smash single "Girl In The Tower" by Mark Seibert.

Download Now!

Ken Williams comments

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Today we rolled out a new feature at Sierra Gamers - a collection of Ken Williams' comments in the forums over the years. Since Sierra Gamers launched in the early 2000s Ken has regularly interacted with both fans and former employees who have posted questions in the forums. We are now working to gather the best of those comments, insights and history into a specific location on the site for easier reading. Work in this section will continue for a while but for now you can take a look as Ken answers questions on everything from the sale of Sierra, his favorite Sierra games, his life post-retirement and what he really did at Sierra for all of those years. - Andy

Hail Caesar!

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The award-winning Roman city builder, Caesar III is now available for download from Good Old Games (gog.com)! Complete with manual and hi-res wallpaper, this classic can be yours for just $5.99! Compatible with Windows XP and Vista 32-bit and 64-bit, this is the fourth Impressions Games release featured on gog.com. Click for more information and trailer.

Roberta Williams Anthology Manual

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

For fans of Sierra history The Roberta Williams Anthology was a great resource. Released in 1997 it contained all of Roberta's games to that point including Apple emulated versions of her Hi-Res adventures. For many Sierra fans it was the first real exposure to the early history of Sierra. In addition it was released in the days when a computer game was an event - not just another disposable cardboard box and a CD in a disposable white envelope. The real gem of the package was the manual which included insights into the game development process, Roberta's thoughts on each of her games and back story of Sierra. While some other books have focused on this material this is a great additional resource and it is now available on Sierra Gamers. Download your copy today and enjoy your walk back through two eras in computer gaming history - the early history of Sierra talked about in the manual and the time when game companies still put something other than code in a box. - Andy

SQ and Phantas Now Available on GOG!

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Good Old Games (gog.com) has released Phantasmagoria and Space Quest 4-6 on their website as the Month of Activision continues! Each game comes with hi-def wallpaper and is fully compatible with Windows XP and Vista 32 bit and 64 bit. Get them now for only $9.99 each!

Phantasmagoria
Space Quest 4-6

The Incredible (Resurrecting) Machine

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

While this news is a few months old it's still worth a highlight - Jeff Tunnell, former head of Sierra subsidiary Dynamix, has reacquired the rights to The Incredible Machine series of games and has made them available on GOG. Jeff is a great guy whose infectious enthusiasm for everything he does is best chronicled on his blog, Make It Big in Games. His new company, Garage Games, seems to be doing well and while many game developers of the past are no longer around he just keeps on keeping on. The Incredible Machine Mega Pack includes updated versions of both The Incredible Machine 1 & 2 along with the later, early 2000s releases in the series for only $9.99. That's a lot of gaming greatness for a small amount of money and, more importantly, it's a great way to celebrate a great designer regaining control of his work. Keep it up Mr. Tunnell. - Andy