The free fan-made King's Quest game is now available

by: John - posted: 7/12/2010 6:44:00 AM

If you don't know about the King's Quest series, you should look up how this one series had such a great following and influence on PC gaming in the early days. Sierra spawned off many successful Quest games but King's Quest was probably their most popular and loved.

It was so well loved that a team has come forth to put a new chapter in the tale. A Silver Lining is a continuation of the story that hasn't been visited since 1998 with Mask of Eternity. There was going to be a King's Quest 9 but it was canceled back around 2002.

A Silver Lining looks to continue the story of King Graham for free as Episode 1 of 5 has been put out. The king's not his young self anymore, as you can see by the trailer but he's back with that feathered cap and ready to save the day again. It's great to see fans bring back a much beloved series and I really hope it does well.

At Long Last, King's Quest Fans See The Silver Lining

Highly anticipated fan game premieres today for free at www.tsl-game.com

SACRAMENTO, CALIF., July 10, 2010 - It's a tribute fit for a king. After eight years of volunteer effort, Phoenix Online Studios' long-awaited fan game The Silver Lining can be enjoyed by the venerable King's Quest series' millions of fans around the world. The first of five PC game episodes, "What Is Decreed Must Be," is now available for free download from http://www.tsl-game.com. Additional installments are planned to release throughout 2010.

"I am deeply honored that a group of devoted fans have dedicated themselves to reviving the characters, lands, and quests of my adventure game series," says King's Quest creator and Sierra On-Line cofounder Roberta Williams. "Without the bravery and persistence of these volunteers, it is almost certain that King's Quest would have been relegated to a forgotten obscurity -- its story left untold. Now there is a chance to truly find out what happens to the royal family of the Kingdom of Daventry. I, like many other fans, would like to see how this story unfolds!"

Picking up where Sierra's original King's Quest series left off, "What Is Decreed Must Be" opens with what should be a joyous celebration in the Land of the Green Isles. Upon the arrival of a black-cloaked stranger, however, revelry turns to tragedy as the royal twins Alexander and Rosella fall victim to a mysterious curse. Now patriarch King Graham must don his feathered adventurer's cap once again and set out on a quest to save his family -- and to bring the beloved franchise into the new millennium.

The ambitious fan game rivals a commercial release, with polished 3D artwork, high-quality animation, an original soundtrack, and a voice cast that includes professional off-Broadway actors. At one point during The Silver Lining's long development, the team topped out at 70 volunteers. Through it all the project has been met with overwhelming community and media support.

"The Silver Lining may have started out as a game made by fans, for fans, but over the years we've been fortunate to assemble an extremely talented team," says designer / producer César Bittar, one of Phoenix Online Studios' founding members. "Creating this game has been an incredible learning experience. Now we're looking toward the future. The Silver Lining is only the beginning..."

With their fan project nearing completion, the team behind The Silver Lining has revealed that they will next turn their focus to commercial projects. A new episodic adventure game, Corridor 9, is in the early stages of development. More information about Phoenix Online Studios can be found at http://www.postudios.com/company.

To download "What Is Decreed Must Be," learn more about The Silver Lining, and become part the game's active fan community, please visit http://www.tsl-game.com.