KQ Omnipedia:Canon Policy

There are three main categories of information contained in the articles of the wikipedia. The policies below show how to enter such information. Where an article contains more than one type of information, all of the appropriate policies should be followed.

If you have any queries about these policies, feel free to ask about them on the talk page.

This policy is based on SQ Omnipedia:Canon Policy.

Background
Canon (or preferred term 'continuity') refers to the official body of work related to King's Quest originally published or officially licensed by Sierra (Sierra Activision).

These include the original eight Roberta Williams's KQ games, Wizard & The Princess/Adventure in Serenia, KQ1SCI remake, King's Questions, other spinoff of games (Pinball, Graham's Board Game Challenge, Hoyle, etc), and various assorted game documentation & manuals and other officially endorsed KQ-related material (including Strategy Guides and novels), or any other official material required for the complete King's Quest experience. As well as any future sequels that expand on and directly continue from the original series as well (which are unlikely to have Roberta William's direct influence). However the reliability of individual sources may very.

In general due to the nature of continuity between later games (particularly between KQ1 and KQ3) in the series and other source material, the original KQ1 is considered more reliable than the SMS port or SCI remake, as the original trilogy link to each other in art style and locations (the novelization of KQ1 ties more directly into this version of KQ1's events, see Quest for the Crown: From the Chronicles of Daventry, Part I). The SCI remake is treated more as a 'reimagining/reboot', or at least an alternate universe, with certain events occurring different than they do in the original, I.E. the order of the treasures and the location of the pebbles (however the Official Book of King's Quest 3rd Edition ties into the remake with its artwork and general order of puzzle solutions/item locations, so there is some room for interpretation/cross over/merging between the two timelines). Likewise, KQ5 pc is considered more reliable than KQ5 port on the NES, etc. There may also be differences between game versions and formats (floppy vs. CD-ROM, or VGA vs. EGA) which may be covered in articles.

King's Questions is an in-house designed King's Quest product, one created between KQ6 and KQ7 (while the questions break the 4th wall at times) is intended to be a piece of the King's Quest chronology and lore (so it is part of the main series, rather than a cross over product). King's Questions has an in-universe backstory (questions asked to the captain of Alexander's ship), but is not a exactly a crossover (see below), but the 'quiz' questions definitely break the fourth wall (and thus have more in common with Hoyle I or Interview with Rosella type material which refer to the 'game development' directly). King's Questions ties in Wizard and the Princess in one of its questions, and also adapts some of the Companion related material into games as well.

The official guides by Peter Spear or Donald Trivette (authorized and endorsed by Sierra, including editorial assistance by Sierra employees and sometimes Roberta Williams herself, or other King's Quest producers/developers) are considered reliable source of lore and facts.

However, the three spinoff novels which had very little Sierra involvement (and none by Roberta or no known King's Quest developers) are of less crediblity. But at least were considered official continuation by Sierra's promotional department and InterAction magazine (this wiki treats them as more or less equal to other sources). However where differences in story/continuity occurs between the novels and other sources; it will be discussed in the specific articles (i.e. Three-headed Dragon for example: When did the Dragon actually reach Daventry?). The novels also seemingly attempt to merge the Daventry of the KQ1 remake with later games in the series (as well as utilizing elements that appear to be inspired by the earliest AGI KQ games).

Further down the list is crossover, easter egg, cameos, and homage material found in other games (what Leisure Suit Larry refers to as the 'Sierra World') as seen in official Sierra games or source material. These include Hoyle games, Rosella's First Quest, The Bookwyrm Investigates: Sierra Characters Favorite Books, Al Lowe Interviews Rosella, and other Sierra games. While some of this material adds serious background lore to the KQ universe as in the case of Hoyle I, much of this is simply a reference for humor sake (jokes or parodies), and not intended to fit into any shared continuity. However, sometimes this material is a grey area where both new 'lore' is introduced but also from a humorous perspective. Much of this kind of side material maybe added to this wiki as is, where it relates in a particular topic or be given specific articles as well. Sometimes it may just be noted in a list of trivia or notes after the main information part of an article.

A separate source of information altogether is development or post development information from Roberta or other developers. It may include thoughts/opinions as mentioned in interviews, and on chat boards concerning their views, opinions, and factual information about the history of development of the games. Some of this material is flavored with 'hind-sight', 'marketing hype', 'or loss of memory over time', and in some cases contradictions with previous published games/game manuals and other material). Thus it may not be as reliable (and in some cases irrelevant even), to something specifically published (when concerning in-universe lore, history, etc) would be. Even then published works may not always be consistent with each other (see changing dates for certain events; twins birth, marriage, when KQ2 takes place, etc). However, material written by Roberta and physically published, which were intended to expand the universe lore directly (such as material in Hintbooks, Manuals, or Articles) are at an higher or equal status to any other similarly published materials (See game prologues, game synopses articles in KQ5 Hintbook, and The Magical World of King's Quest article from InterAction).

In-universe comments stated (adlibbed on the spot) but not published, such as her statement on archaeology and present Daventry (or Connor only drinks 'rootbeer') maybe supporting evidence (see On the Origin of Daventry), but not necessary reliable lore on its own. This also takes into account that some of the later games KQ6 for example had less influence from Roberta, and more influence from others developers of the game (Jane Jensen), and KQ7 (Lorelei Shannon). But it is noted that she was overall back to influencing KQ8, and wrote the game's story. Roberta is not involved in the upcoming King's Quest, as that involves a completely new team and separate company (The Odd Gentlemen).

The new King's Quest (IX) may be a special case (or in much a similar position as that of the KQ1 SCI remake), as it appears to offer retelling/reimagining of a specific event from King's Quest I, the Dragon's Lair sequence. It is yet unclear if this is perhaps just exaggerated version of the story being told by Graham to his granddaughter, or representative of a new universe altogether, see dimensions, or simply extreme use of 'artistic/creative license' by the developers. The new games website does seem to indicates that it is both a continuation of the original series, but also independent of the original series as well (perhaps indicating some kind of 'mixed-canon'). The designers have later said that the previous eight games are considered canon to the new game. Depending on the quantity of the alternative reimagining of events may require that some articles be divided to give more focus on the changes in the material.

In general all material is treated as having equal standing (including a mixed-canon or shared universe perspective), including the KQ1SCI remake. However articles are intentionally focused more on the original versions perspective (KQ1AGI, KQ5 PC versions, etc) as the framework of the King's Quest Companion chose to do, and for overall consistency.

Additional material from the remake (and ports), may be used in overall background and descriptions, but the differences will be pointed out as well in the behind the scenes sections. While general crossover details are generally regulated to notes or trivia sections (or the crossover details de-emphasized, with only a focus on the additional in-universe lore-related details).

Activision as the current owner of the series could in the future choose to reboot, change, or ignore aspects of the canon at any time. But that will be discussed in its own way if it is ever happens (but will likely involve dividing topics up into separate 'universes/dimensions').

The following policies only refer to articles in the main namespace. Pages in other namespaces (such as Help, User or Talk) are not covered.

Information Regarding King's Quest 1-8, Wizard and the Princess/Adventure in Serenia, King's Questions, associated documentation, and novels.
Information regarding official games, manuals, hint books, and novels are considered official (and canon) and can be entered normally. Any potential discrepancies can be pointed out in the "behind the scenes" section of the article. All articles must be referenced to the appropriate game or documentation as follows:

Articles relating to only one game, or with only very general information
Add the appropriate category to the end of the article. The categories are:

Articles where more than one game is referenced
Each piece of information must be referenced to its particular game. This can be achieved by referring to particular eras within the text (e.g. the KQ1 era) or by using footnotes. For more information on creating footnotes, see the quick reference guide.

King's Quest Episodes: Your Destiny Awaits (KQ9)
The new King's Quest be released through the 'resurrected' Sierra Games, and Activison and developed by The Odd Gentleman (although its technically not KQ9, but rather a series of connected mini-adventures). Articles related to the game will go to these sections as long as the game remains in development (development of KQ9 has had a troubled past);

Add the appropriate category to the end of the article. The categories are:

In case the latest version has development issues (and is again cancelled), this may change.

It appears that the original games are considered part of the canon of the new game, though the new game is seen as neither a reboot nor necessarily a sequel but a reimagining (while developers deny that this game is a 'reboot', many journalists still refer to it as a reboot in their previews).

The new King's Quest appears will be retelling/reimagining certain aspects of Ancient Well/Dragon's Lair encounter in the prologue introduction. From the reveal and according to further information, the introduction story in the first episode will be a partial retelling of the events of the Dragon's Lair sequence in King's Quest I (but the team has no intention to retell the events of any other game from the series, but only tell stories that take place in between the earlier games).

The reveal shows off for example his journey down the Ancient Well (which looks roughly like the well as it appeared in the KQ1 remake) into the Dragon's Lair, the bottom of the well looks like it is dry (avoiding the swimming sequence from the original games). There is a door and tunnels filled with Mattresses (which apparently foreshadowing something significant in the main story in the first episode, and possible to the villain of the entire series), and pullies and gears. There is also some kind of door at the bottom of the well (as well as bones and traps).

It is said that Graham will initially distract the dragon somehow, allowing him to take the Magic Mirror. It doesn'tappear that Graham defeat the game by throwing a bucket of water at it (or using his knife to kill it) as he did in the previous game (unless a similar event is portrayed in the game when he first 'distracts's the dragon).

Upon his escape, it appears it then turns more action oriented, and the dragon treated as a large chase/escape sequence/boss fight. This chase will lead to a decision from Graham that will test his bravery, wisdom or compassion, leading to separate outcomes (that have future consequences), either blinding the dragon with a arrow (causing it to be a future enemy), sending it away to look for food using a bell, or freeing it from its bondage by unlocking its shackles, making a friend in the process, and it returning the favor later on in its life. This sequence is very different than the version that occurred in King's Quest 1 or the KQ1 remake. It is unclear if this is an expansion to what appears in the previous games (that occurs in areas not accessible in the first game (off screen between lair and the exit cave) with the dragon ultimately escaping and removing the bolder to the exit as shown in the original game. Or is a completely retelling that is intended to replace how it was explained in the original games, with several completely different alternate outcomes.

Additionally Graham's clothing is very different than it appeared in King's Quest 1, though it is certainly inspired by some of Graham's wardrobe appearances throughout the series. The appearance of Castle Daventry differs from its appearance in earlier games. Certain aspects may completely change or ignore backstory from previous games, novels, and books, such as the backstory of Graham's childhood, in the new game he doesn't appear to have originally been a citizen of Daventry, but came to the kingdom after learning that there was a tournament to become a knight there. If so this would be another indication that the game occurs in a different universe than the original series (though differences may be 'slight' and general stories still occured).

As such as this may just be Graham' retelling his story to his Granddaughter, and contain exaggerated embellishments (and based on her Grandaughter's imagination and perception of the stories he tells), or perhaps an example of liberal use of 'artistic license' being used by the developers, at worst it might be set in an alternate universe from the original (in the same way that aspects of the KQ1 remake are alternate to the events of the original King's Quest).

An article on Polygon.com supporting embellishment (suggesting it changes each time he tells and retells it) idea states:
 * "No longer able to go on adventures, he instead creates fanciful retellings of his past glories for his granddaughter, Gwendolyn."

Graham admits concerning his embellished version of KQ1 Dragon's Lair events:


 * "It wasn't exactly how I remembered it, " old man Graham says. "But it wasn't all that different either."

According to the developers:


 * This isn't a reboot, and its not necessarily a sequel. It's a reimagining. Everything that exists in the past games is still canon." These stories exist between those stories. Over the course of the game players will experience Graham's previously unknown adventures. "We're definitely not retelling the old games...we're nodding to them and respecting them, but this isn't King's Quest 1 HD. The new scenarios deal with some of the blank spots in the King's Quest timeline. How did Graham become a knight in King Edward's Court? How did his young love with Valanice develop? These tales from the past are framed by Graham's present; he is now a very old man, and he is recounting his adventures to his granddaughter, Gwendolyn. She's an energetic youngster who eats up the stories of Graham's exploits, and she is eager to have her own exciting stories to tell...


 * The game is completely reimagined; it’s not King’s Quest IX or anything like that,” Korba explains. “Think about it like when someone reimagines The Wizard of Oz, or Peter Pan. That’s how I see King’s Quest, [as one of] those classic fairy tales that keep being retold and reimagined.”


 * "We're not throwing out the canon that they already established. We're fitting our stories between those, or taking bits of those and reimagining parts of it."Gamespot preview

Matt Korba clarifies in another article which might suggest that the reimagining might go further to change details from what we know:
 * "I look at this the way people might look at The Wizard of Oz or Peter Pan," Korba says. "A sort of classic fairy tale thing and this is our take on it." As such, this new adventure won't drastically alter the canon, but it will update and throw out a ton of references from past games.

This is unclear on if Matt Korba is stating that a ton of references from past games will be made incompatible with the new unniverse, or if the game will make tons of references to past games.

This wiki treats the events as they were portrayed in original King's Quest 1 AGI as the true account (as per the King's Quest Companion), and as the primary version of the events (but will make note of the alternative version in KQ9, as it does with alternate material from the KQ1 remake). IF the KQ9 somehow incorporates new material that simply expands upon events from KQ1 this will be noted as well (for example if the game does show Graham attempt to initially distract the dragon/put out flames with a bucket of water). But will include highlights of the general synopses of the overall story in descriptions, where they are placed in the timeline.

A new system may have to be developed in order to explain all the alternate story differences created by the three virtue system. But it may share the current system in the way that the KQ1 remake is incorporated (...i.e.. "alternatively a character may have done this" type description).

For example Graham goes to an overview that is concerned with the classic King's Quest games, and Graham (KQE) currently goes to information concerning specifically the Graham from the new games (and discussing the thre or more alternative storylines that new games include concerning Graham's virtue choices).

Information regarding fan fiction and fan games
Fan fiction and fan games are disputed, and are simply not officially canon. It is unlikely that any decision could be made where all fans agree. For this reason, information on fan fiction and games is restricted and allowed only within the guidelines of the following policies:

Fan fiction
Fan fiction should be categorized as. A story should be relatively complete (containing at least a single chapter) and published on a website.

Information from a fanfic may be included in related fan topic, but 'new topics' based only on a single fan fiction reference or should be avoided.

Fan game manuals or related websites are a special case and may be treated as 'part of the game' they are related to for the sake of creating new articles (see The Four Winds).

Cancelled fan games and fan games that are on hold, or vaporware
Cancelled fan games and fan games that are on hold are entitled to one article - no other information should be included in any other article. They must be categorised as. A project website being taken down (or no website to begin within) in conjunction with no active updates, may be considered a "cancellation' for the sake of categorizing things. Active updates in a forum, may count (and it is recommended that links to the updates are made in the article).

When there is no active updates, and it is unknown if the project is cancelled or not; A game may be categorized as. Having a live website related to the game, or acknowledgement that that the game is still being worked on, may be used as supporting evidence. It can't hurt for a member of a developer to add a note to the talk page for the game, with a date, so as show that there is still activity.

No game under these categories are to be listed on the Fan Material main page.

Otherwise rules are similar to fan games as work in progress. There must be a website of some sort, proof of concept work (ingame screenshots or video, not just concept 'fan art').

Fan games whose work is in progress
Fan games whose work is in progress must be categorised as.

Fan games that are expected to be completed are classed as those that have their own website, have recent updates (every 2-3 months) and have provided some form screenshot or concept art.

Fan games whose work in progress must follow the policies set out for fan games that are on hold (see above). That is entitled to one article, and no information should be included in any other article (unless a release is imminent). If updates are routine, it is also entitled to a link from the Fan Material (this will be set up by experienced omnipedia editors). If 2-3 months go by without an update the link may be removed.

Released Fan Games
Fan games that have been publically released are entitled to a Category of their own. This category must be a subcategory of. They are also entitled to a link from the Fan Material (this will be set up by experienced omnipedia editors).

Articles where more than one fan fiction or fan game is referenced
As the canonicity of fan games and fan fiction is disputed, a compromise has been reached. All information regarding sourced from fan games must be contained in its own section entitled "[topic] (unofficial)".

If the material may be split off to its own page through a direct link.

Articles relating to only one game
Articles referring to only one game do not need to use the above heading. Instead they should include the template FanArticle.

Example Usage:

Which Produces:

Meta and Non-Canon Information
This includes:
 * Information that comes from fanfiction
 * Information containing speculation
 * Information about references to the real world
 * Any other meta and non-canon information

If fan related material directly from fan fiction or fan games included in a canon topic should be put under the canon material in a section entitled "[topic] in the unofficial sources" (if it is specifically from a fan game, then sources could be replaced with "games").

Speculation from the fan community, information concerning the real world, etc, may be included in a "behind the scenes" section.

Note: If an entire article is meta or non-canon, it is sufficient to post a smaller message at the top of the article, which should say something like this:

Advertising and Off-topic discussions
King's Quest Omnipedia follows a policy similar to that of Wikipedia (though somewhat looser). But in general, keep in mind that King's Quest Omnipedia is not a soapbox, a battleground, or a vehicle for propaganda, advertising and showcasing. This applies to articles, categories, templates, talk page discussions, and user pages. Therefore, content hosted is not for:


 * 1.Advocacy, propaganda, or recruitment of any kind: commercial, political, religious, sports-related, or otherwise. Of course, an article can report objectively about such things, as long as an attempt is made to describe the topic from a neutral point of view. You might wish to start a blog or visit a forum if you want to convince people of the merits of your favorite views.


 * 2.Opinion pieces. Although some topics, particularly those concerning current affairs and politics, may stir passions and tempt people to "climb soapboxes" (for example, passionately advocate their pet point of view), wikia is not the medium for this. Articles must be balanced to put entries, especially for current events, in a reasonable perspective, and represent a neutral point of view. Furthermore, authors should strive to write articles that will not quickly become obsolete.


 * 3.Scandal mongering, something "heard through the grapevine" or gossip. Articles and content about living people are required to meet an especially high standard, as they may otherwise be libellous or infringe the subjects' right to privacy. Articles should not be written purely to attack the reputation of another person.
 * 4.Self-promotion. It can be tempting to write about yourself or projects in which you have a strong personal involvement. However, do remember that the standards for encyclopedic articles apply to such pages just like any other. This includes the requirement to maintain a neutral point of view, which is difficult when writing about yourself or about projects close to you. Creating overly abundant links and references to autobiographical sources is unacceptable.


 * 5.Advertising. All information about companies and products are written in an objective and unbiased style. All article topics must be verifiable with independent, third-party sources, so articles about very small "garage" or local companies are typically unacceptable. External links to commercial organizations are acceptable if they identify major organizations which are the topic of the article. Wikia neither endorses organizations nor runs affiliate programs.

Non-disruptive statements of opinion on internal policies and guidelines may be made on user pages, as they are relevant to the current and future operation of the project.