The Tierra / AGDI group always said they were remaking the Sierra classics so they could learn more about game design and ultimately do their own games. Apparently that’s still the direction they’re headed – recently, under the name Himalaya Studios, they announced the development of their first original game, Al Emmo and the Lost Dutchman’s Mine. http://www.himalayastudios.com/wq.htm
I’m pretty excited to see what they come up with. 🙂
-emily