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

Al Lowe back for a new Leisure Suit Larry!

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT

In case you haven't heard, Replay Games has joined Al Lowe on a project to re-boot the classic Leisure Suit Larry franchise, and they could use your help with a contribution to the cause.

Leisure Suit Larry is getting its own kickstarter. Replay Games now owns the rights to Larry, and is behind the push to remake the original Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards. The idea is to give gamers a "return to the one true Larry." Here's the Leisure Suit Larry kickstarter link.

Loyalty (and cash) will be rewarded with a suite of interesting items, up to having your name permanently included in the game as a secret password. That one will cost you 50k.

Leisure Suit Larry In the Land of The Lounge Lizards Reloaded is planned for iOS and PC, and will sport the following features, should the kickstarter campaign bear fruit (and half a million bucks.):

The freedom to play on mobile devices
A modern point-and-click/touchscreen interface
Updated, ultra-high res graphics
Fully voiced characters
Even more of the humor that’s made Al Lowe a household name…like “Borders” and “Enron”!

Best of all, the reload is being overseen by Al Lowe, the creator of the original Larry games (the good ones.) Visit the Leisure Suit Larry kickstarter.

Start your own blog now! Free!

Great Article in The Digital Antiquarian

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Warning: Nostalgia Ahead!

If you were one of the first fans of Sierra On-Line, or perhaps one of the first employees like I was, you might find the new article in the Digital Antiquarian to be a great read.

Filled with inside info from the very days of the company, Digital Antiquarian is a great read for those interested in what the beginnings of the computer industry were like in the words and memories of those that were really there.

(Note: Series of articles has continued with Entries through February 12, 2012. Also worth reading is the story on Richard Garriot aka "Lord British" also once a game designer publishing through Sierra On-Line, Inc.)
- Johnny Magpie

[SierraGamers] A note from Ken and Roberta Williams

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Greetings!

You are receiving this note because at some time in the past you have registered on my www.sierragamers.com website.

First I’d like to thank all of you who have sent emails, or posted messages, thanking Roberta and I for the games. We’re bad about responding to our email, but we do read it all!

One common theme, in emails we receive, is that we are constantly being asked when we’ll make another game. Unfortunately, as sad as we are to admit this, the odds are heavy that the answer is “never.” Like an athlete turning 30, there comes a time when it is appropriate to exit as a hero, and let the next generation take their turn.

That said, I have a bit of an announcement, and an opportunity for you.

Our son, Chris, who worked with us a VERY long time ago at Sierra, is now a lead engineer at BrandX games on a massively online social adventure game called “Odd Manor.”

Chris, Roberta and
Ken Williams

Ken, Chris Williams

Roberta Williams, with
BrandX team members,
Jami, Ari and Rachel

Chris is seeking beta testers (actually alpha testers) for his game, and would appreciate it if you would sign up. Game testing will be during a closed “pre-alpha” launch on Facebook starting in April.

To sign up, go to this link: http://www.oddmanor.com

The game is early in development, so “be kind.”

Enjoy!

-Ken and Roberta Williams

PS For a bit more info about the game, you can check out these links: (although, Chris needs testers, so PLEASE just sign up and check the game out yourself)

The Silver Lining, Episode III - Coming Soon!

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Just in case there are those of you unaware of it, Episode III of The Silver Lining is due to be released soon. It's currently scheduled for January 27, so be on the lookout!

"The Silver Lining, Episode II - Two Households" Now Available!

Sat, 02 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Episode II of this amazing fan-made game is now available! You can download it directly from the game's website here. This episode takes place after the storm from Episode I and follows Graham as he begins his search for the ingredients needed to break the spell over his children, Rosella and Alexander. Go get it now!

Ken & Roberta Home Again

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

This April Ken, Roberta, and their dog Shelby, arrived in Osaka Japan to kick of their 2010 cruising in their boat 'Sans Souci'. Along with two other couples in their boats, the trio call themselves the GSSR. (Last year the trio cruised to Japan and called the trip the Great Siberian Sushi Run and the name just stuck!) The GSSR made their way through Japan, Taiwan, and ended in Hong Kong.

The three couples were joined by family and friends throughout their journey including Roberta's parents and Ken and Roberta's oldest son, Chris. The GSSR received a warm welcome when they stopped at the Nordhavn factory in Taiwan where all three boats were manufactured. They are the only Nordhavn owners to ever return to the factory.

Read all about Ken and Roberta's adventures at sea in Ken's Blog. And check out Ken's books about previous cruising adventures complete with tons of stunning color photos.

Ken and Roberta are currently at home in Seattle but are already discussing plans with the rest of the GSSR team for next year's cruising.

Are You Ready For The Horror of Phantasmagoria?

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The famous horror game by legendary game designer Roberta Williams is on sale this weekend at Good Old Games for just $9.99. One of the first games ever to use full motion video (FMV) technology, Phantasmagoria was Sierra's best-selling game of 1995 and originally came on 7 CDs. Can you survive to the end?

The success of Phantasmagoria spurred a sequel, A Puzzle of Flesh, written and designed by Lorelei Shannon. Darker, more twisted, more controversial, and more challenging that the first, do you have what it takes? Find out for just $5.99.

Or get both games together for $11.18 at Good Old Games. Both games come with digital documentation and high resolution wallpaper.

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.

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