King's Quest
Classic graphic adventure series chronicling the royal family of Daventry.
King's Quest is a graphic adventure game series created by the American software company Sierra Entertainment, released between 1984 and 2016. Designed primarily by Roberta Williams, co-founder and former co-owner of Sierra, the series is widely considered a classic from the golden era of adventure games and was primarily responsible for building Sierra's reputation.
Quick Facts
- Title
- King's Quest
- Genre
- Adventure
- Developer
- Sierra On-Line / The Odd Gentlemen
- Publisher
- Sierra Entertainment
- Creator
- Roberta Williams
- First Release Version
- Wizard and the Princess
- First Release Date
- 1980
- Latest Release Version
- King's Quest: Epilogue
- Latest Release Date
- December 20, 2016
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The King's Quest series chronicles the saga of the royal family of the Kingdom of Daventry through their trials and adventures, spanning two generations. Main characters include King Graham (originally a knight who won the throne), his wife Queen Valanice, and their twin children Prince Alexander and Princess Rosella. The exception is King's Quest: Mask of Eternity, whose protagonist is Connor of Daventry, a tanner and knight unrelated to the royal family. The series' world encompasses many kingdoms and supernatural realms, with villains such as evil witches and wizards.
Reader's Guide
The King's Quest series holds significance as a foundational work of the graphic adventure genre, establishing Sierra Entertainment's reputation during the golden era of adventure games. Its technological innovations, including animation and pseudo-3D environments, influenced subsequent adventure games. The series' narrative structure—spanning two generations of a royal family—was unusual for its time and allowed for evolving protagonists. The games' reliance on fairy-tale inspiration and logical puzzles set a template for later adventure titles. The series also appeared in multiple collections, including the King's Quest 15th Anniversary Collector's Edition and the Roberta Williams Anthology. Its legacy includes cameos and references in other Sierra series such as Space Quest, Police Quest, and Leisure Suit Larry.
Did You Know?
- The series was primarily responsible for building the reputation of Sierra Entertainment.
- Roberta Williams designed most King's Quest games but was not involved in King's Quest: Mask of Eternity (1998) or the 2015 episodic series.
- King's Quest VII: The Princeless Bride does involve King Graham, as he appears in the game's opening and is referenced.
- The series was originally conceived as a new, original adventure game with 3D-style graphics, not derived from Wizard and the Princess.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created King's Quest?
Roberta Williams, co-founder of Sierra Entertainment, is the primary designer behind the series. She conceived the franchise as a vehicle for her vision of interactive storytelling during the early days of personal computing.
What is King's Quest about?
The series follows the royal family of Daventry across multiple generations, with each entry typically centering on a different member of the lineage. Players guide these characters through quests, puzzles, and challenges to protect or restore their kingdom.
When was King's Quest first released?
The original title launched in 1984, placing it among the earliest examples of the graphic adventure genre. New entries continued to appear until 2016, spanning more than three decades of development.
Why is King's Quest considered important in gaming history?
It is widely regarded as a defining work of the golden age of adventure games and played a major role in establishing Sierra Entertainment's reputation in the industry. The series helped bring the text-command and point-and-click adventure format to a mainstream audience.
Who currently owns the King's Quest franchise?
The property now sits within Activision Blizzard's catalog following the company's acquisition of the publisher that held the old Sierra Entertainment library. It remains a recognized, if largely dormant, name in the Activision Blizzard family of franchises.
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