Index[]
Behind the scenes[]
Forward[]
As as child I was always filled with story ideas and loved to pretend. Of course, I was always the heroine of my private daydreams; I was forever slaying dragons, outwitting pirates, traveling through time, and yes, looking for-and sometimes finding-Prince Charming. King's Quest is filled with the adventures I daydreamed of as a child. Through the technical wizardry of people like Jeff Stephensen and Bob Heitman, and my husband, I am able to share my world with all of you.
One of the reasons for King's Quest's popularity is that it does spring from the fantasies of a child. For adults, it allows them to experience again the stories and fables they loved as children. For children, it's the ultimate cartoon - a cartoon they can participate in. And for both, it is a chance to try to outwit the designer... me.
This book will give you a greater understanding of what King's Quest is and how it came about. You will come to know how much works is involved in bringing each game to life. Sometimes I get frustrated when I can't think of an idea, or when we can't make something work, or when we're working long hours to make a shipping date. But the wonderful letters I receive from kids, parents, and even grandparents makes it all more than worthwhile.
In real life, I did find my prince: my husband, Ken Williams. Ken has always supported me and encouraged me, and without him, King's Quest would surely not exist.
Roberta Heuer Williams Oakhurst, California May, 1988
Acknowledgements[]
There are quite a few people at Sierra On-Line who took the time to help me with this book. Chief among them are John Williams, Paul DePlege, and Jerry Albright who spent many hours collecting information and photographs; Ken Koch, Jerry Moore, Chane Fullmer, John Hamilton, and Sol Ackerman who explained the complexities of their crafts; and, of course, the sorceress herself, Roberta Williams. Without their help I would have surely been lost in the woods of Daventry and mired in the swamps of Tamir.
I also thank Wisco Computing of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, for Crossword Power, the software that generated the puzzles you'll love to hate; and Kraft Systems, Inc. for the joystick that makes climbing circular stairs a breeze.