Ken and Roberta Williams’ Sierra On-Line collection
Collection — Box: 1-4
Identifier: 111.4936
Ken and Roberta Williams’ Sierra On-Line collection contains materials from 1979-1999, with the bulk of the materials dated between 1988 and 1995. This collection holds a sampling of Sierra On-Line’s corporate records and textual information that supplements the video game and software collection of Sierra On-Line games in the International Center for the History of Electronic Games at The Strong. Materials in this collection include corporate annual reports, press releases, game catalogs, newsletters, gaming magazines, correspondence, photographs, bound materials (such as game strategy and player’s guides), and more. Additionally, the materials on loan to The Strong consist of original Sierra On-Line game production books, script ideas, notes, drawings, flow charts, and other game design-related papers.
This collection has been arranged into four series, with two split further into subseries. The materials are housed in four boxes.
This collection has been arranged into four series, with two split further into subseries. The materials are housed in four boxes.
Dates
- 1979 - 1999
- Majority of material found within 1988 - 1995
Creator
- Williams, Roberta (Owner, Person)
Conditions Governing Use
This collection is open to research use by staff of The Strong and by users of its library. Though the donors have not transferred intellectual property rights (including, but not limited to any copyright, trademark, and associated rights therein) to The Strong, they have given permission for The Strong to make copies in all media for museum, educational, and research purposes.
Extent
3 Linear Feet (4 boxes)
Abstract
Ken and Roberta Williams’ Sierra On-Line collection is a compilation of corporate records, publicity, financial reports, game catalogs, newsletters, magazines, published books, and other materials from Sierra On-Line. Additionally, the materials on loan to The Strong supplement this collection with original script ideas, notes, planning information, sketches, and other game design-related papers.
Historical Note
Ken and Roberta Williams, pioneers of the computer gaming industry, founded On-Line Systems in 1979. Ken’s programming and Roberta’s storytelling abilities enabled the couple to productively collaborate on game designs. The Apple II computer, which had more superior graphics display capabilities than its predecessors, made it possible to develop multimedia games. On-Line System’s first game, Mystery House (1980), is considered one of the first computer games to combine both text and graphics. Roberta continued to write and design fantasy and adventure games, while Ken assumed the role of CEO and company president. Titles that followed the achievement of Mystery House included The Wizard and the Princess (1980), Mission Asteroid (1981), and Time Zone (1982). The company expanded with a move to Oakhurst, California, and was renamed Sierra On-Line in 1982. That same year, Muppets creator Jim Henson approached Roberta to design a computer adventure game based on his upcoming film The Dark Crystal. The game version, released in 1983, garnered even more publicity for Sierra On-Line.
In 1984, Sierra On-Line produced King’s Quest: Quest for the Crown- the first game to feature interactive graphics and animation. Roberta’s game ideas translated into large sales numbers and substantial profits for Sierra On-Line, and she continued producing games with increasingly complex puzzles. Over the next few years, Roberta created three more sequels to the King’s Quest series (1985, 1986, and 1988), a computer game version of Disney’s The Black Cauldron (1986), and a children’s game called Mixed-Up Mother Goose (1987). Additional game designers (such as Al Lowe, Scott Murphy, Mark Crowe, and Corey and Lori Cole) contributed to Sierra On-Line’s roaring success in the 1980s, with the Space Quest series, Leisure Suit Larry series, and Quest for Glory series. Roberta persisted in the tradition of including the word “quest” in Sierra On-Line’s game titles with 1987’s The Colonel’s Bequest, a murder mystery featuring a female protagonist named Laura Bow.
Sierra On-Line went public in 1989 and traded on the NASDAQ. As profits soared and the offices expanded, Sierra On-Line acquired other game studios (like Dynamix, Inc. and Coktel Vision) which worked separately on product advancement but shared manufacturing and distribution resources. Technologies continued to develop and Sierra On-Line followed, launching an online multi-player gaming service called The Sierra Network. Sierra On-Line also operated telephone tip lines for their products. The 1990s resulted in more titles to the King’s Quest series (1990, 1992, and 1994), the Gabriel Knight series, another Laura Bow mystery called The Dagger of Amon Ra (1992), a horror-themed adventure titled Shivers (1995), and its largest undertaking in Phantasmagoria (1995).
In 1996, CUC International, a subscription-based consumer services company, offered to buy Sierra On-Line for approximately $1.5 billion. The deal went through in July 1996, with Ken stepping down as CEO and president of Sierra. As part of CUC, Sierra On-Line almost immediately underwent restructuring and rebranding. Ken and Roberta Williams left the company in 1997. (Shortly thereafter, CUC top executives were indicted for falsifying years of financial statements, and this massive accounting fraud caused the sell-off of its computer entertainment division.) Over the next few years, Sierra On-Line was bought and further reorganized by Vivendi Universal Games, resulting in employee layoffs and the shutdown of product creation. By 1999, Sierra On-Line had terminated new game development and was utilized solely as a publisher for independently-designed games. The company’s name was changed to Sierra Entertainment in 2002 and soon commenced new game creation again; though this time around, the original employees and designers of Sierra On-Line were not involved. Sierra Entertainment computer game releases were not well-received by the public, and further layoffs and restructuring occurred. In 2008, Vivendi Universal Games merged with video game publisher Activision. That same year, Sierra Entertainment was rendered defunct.
Though Sierra On-Line no longer operates, its impact on the gaming industry is well known and highly celebrated. Ken and Roberta Williams saw the potential for growth in the personal computer industry and jumped on the opportunity to develop entertaining computer games. They pioneered the use of graphics, animation, and interactivity between the player and the game in a time when computers were mainly used for text. Roberta is lauded for paving the way for women in the predominantly-male gaming industry. Sierra On-Line’s legacy has significantly influenced modern video games and how consumers play them.
Additional information on the history of Sierra On-Line can be found on Ken Williams’ website, http://www.sierragamers.com/.
In 1984, Sierra On-Line produced King’s Quest: Quest for the Crown- the first game to feature interactive graphics and animation. Roberta’s game ideas translated into large sales numbers and substantial profits for Sierra On-Line, and she continued producing games with increasingly complex puzzles. Over the next few years, Roberta created three more sequels to the King’s Quest series (1985, 1986, and 1988), a computer game version of Disney’s The Black Cauldron (1986), and a children’s game called Mixed-Up Mother Goose (1987). Additional game designers (such as Al Lowe, Scott Murphy, Mark Crowe, and Corey and Lori Cole) contributed to Sierra On-Line’s roaring success in the 1980s, with the Space Quest series, Leisure Suit Larry series, and Quest for Glory series. Roberta persisted in the tradition of including the word “quest” in Sierra On-Line’s game titles with 1987’s The Colonel’s Bequest, a murder mystery featuring a female protagonist named Laura Bow.
Sierra On-Line went public in 1989 and traded on the NASDAQ. As profits soared and the offices expanded, Sierra On-Line acquired other game studios (like Dynamix, Inc. and Coktel Vision) which worked separately on product advancement but shared manufacturing and distribution resources. Technologies continued to develop and Sierra On-Line followed, launching an online multi-player gaming service called The Sierra Network. Sierra On-Line also operated telephone tip lines for their products. The 1990s resulted in more titles to the King’s Quest series (1990, 1992, and 1994), the Gabriel Knight series, another Laura Bow mystery called The Dagger of Amon Ra (1992), a horror-themed adventure titled Shivers (1995), and its largest undertaking in Phantasmagoria (1995).
In 1996, CUC International, a subscription-based consumer services company, offered to buy Sierra On-Line for approximately $1.5 billion. The deal went through in July 1996, with Ken stepping down as CEO and president of Sierra. As part of CUC, Sierra On-Line almost immediately underwent restructuring and rebranding. Ken and Roberta Williams left the company in 1997. (Shortly thereafter, CUC top executives were indicted for falsifying years of financial statements, and this massive accounting fraud caused the sell-off of its computer entertainment division.) Over the next few years, Sierra On-Line was bought and further reorganized by Vivendi Universal Games, resulting in employee layoffs and the shutdown of product creation. By 1999, Sierra On-Line had terminated new game development and was utilized solely as a publisher for independently-designed games. The company’s name was changed to Sierra Entertainment in 2002 and soon commenced new game creation again; though this time around, the original employees and designers of Sierra On-Line were not involved. Sierra Entertainment computer game releases were not well-received by the public, and further layoffs and restructuring occurred. In 2008, Vivendi Universal Games merged with video game publisher Activision. That same year, Sierra Entertainment was rendered defunct.
Though Sierra On-Line no longer operates, its impact on the gaming industry is well known and highly celebrated. Ken and Roberta Williams saw the potential for growth in the personal computer industry and jumped on the opportunity to develop entertaining computer games. They pioneered the use of graphics, animation, and interactivity between the player and the game in a time when computers were mainly used for text. Roberta is lauded for paving the way for women in the predominantly-male gaming industry. Sierra On-Line’s legacy has significantly influenced modern video games and how consumers play them.
Additional information on the history of Sierra On-Line can be found on Ken Williams’ website, http://www.sierragamers.com/.
System of Arrangement
Series I: Sierra On-Line corporate materials, 1979-1997
Subseries A: Publicity
Subseries B: Financial reports
Subseries C: Game catalogs
Subseries D: Game-related materials
Subseries E: Awards
Subseries F: Photographs
Series II: Sierra On-Line gaming magazines, 1981-1999
Series III: Sierra On-Line books, 1993-1996
Series IV: Loaned materials, 1981-1996
Subseries A: Game production
Subseries B: Memorabilia
Custodial History
Ken and Roberta Williams’ Sierra On-Line collection was donated to The Strong in April 2011 as a gift from Ken and Roberta Williams. The papers were accessioned by The Strong under Activity ID 11068, Object ID 111.4936. The papers were received from Ken and Roberta Williams in two boxes as part of their donation of materials to the International Center for the History of Electronic Games. Additionally, two boxes of these materials are on loan to the International Center for the History of Electronic Games and the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play, courtesy of Ken and Roberta Williams (Loan ID IL.153.1).
- Computer adventure games
- Computer adventure games -- Handbooks, manuals, etc.
- Computer games
- Computer games -- Design
- Game design and development
- King's Quest (Game)
- Leisure Suit Larry (Video game series)
- Phantasmagoria (Computer file)
- Sierra On-Line, Inc. -- History
- Sierra On-Line, Inc.
- Women in Games
Creator
- Williams, Roberta (Owner, Person)
- Williams, Ken (Owner, Person)
- Title
- Finding Aid to Ken and Roberta Williams' Sierra On-Line Collection, 1979-1999
- Status
- completed
- Author
- Julia Novakovic
- Date
- 1 May 2013
- Description rules
- dacs
Repository Details
Part of the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play at The Strong Repository
Contact:
The Strong
One Manhattan Square
Rochester NY 14607 USA
585.263.2700
585.423.1886 (Fax)
library@museumofplay.org
The Strong
One Manhattan Square
Rochester NY 14607 USA
585.263.2700
585.423.1886 (Fax)
library@museumofplay.org