King's Quest IV: The Perils of Rosella
Encyclopedia
King's Quest IV: The Perils of Rosella, released in 1988, was the first major graphical computer adventure game
with a female protagonist. The player takes on the role of Princess Rosella, daughter of King Graham of Daventry (KQI
and KQII
) and the twin sister of Gwydion/Alexander (KQIII
). KQIV was also one of the first PC games to support a sound card
.
This is the only chapter in the King's Quest
series where the action takes place in real-time
. The events of the game cover about 24 hours. Some activities must be completed during the day, while other puzzles can be solved only at night.
However, Genesta herself is in a weakened state because the evil fairy Lolotte stole the talisman that gives Genesta power. If Rosella cannot return the talisman to Genesta, the good fairy will be unable to help her return to Daventry in time to save her father. So in addition to finding a way to obtain the magic fruit, Rosella must win Lolotte's trust. She is charged with performing three tasks for the evil fairy, after which she has the opportunity to recover the stolen talisman.
Although Rosella's primary quest is to retrieve the magic fruit needed to save King Graham, it is possible to return to Daventry without completing this task. However, this leads to a tragic alternate ending to the game.
revealed about the subtitle: "It was sort of based on The Perils of Pauline
."
Music Card and Roland MT-32
. Standard IBM PCs came equipped with a speaker capable of only simple beeps and tones
, at a time when video-game consoles and competing personal computers (such as the Apple IIGS and Commodore Amiga) possessed far more sophisticated sound-generation hardware.
Sierra's new SCI
engine allowed the game designers to incorporate an orchestrated musical score along with more complex sound-effects, a previously unattainable feat. To ensure an immersive soundtrack, composer William Goldstein, known for several Hollywood soundtracks (such as the 1982 television series Fame
), was hired to write the game's musical score, totaling over 75 short music pieces.
and SCI
engines. The AGI engine was used in all earlier Sierra adventure games, the SCI in all later ones. The main advantages of SCI are a higher video resolution (320x200 rather than 160x200 in AGI), sound card support, mouse support, and a more versatile scripting system.
The AGI version was made because Sierra supposed that contemporary low-end systems would be unable to run the SCI version and would require a 'lighter' version of the game. However, sales figures proved them wrong and the AGI version was swiftly discontinued. Because of its rarity, the AGI version could be considered a collector's item.
The two games are identical in gameplay, except that the SCI version was updated with some additional parser responses. However, AGI version 2.0 contains the famous 'beam me' easter egg (which transported Rosella to a Star Trek-esque room with all of the development team present). This easter egg is neither present in any SCI version nor in AGI version 2.3.
A version identical to the AGI version was released on the Apple IIGS with improved music and effects (over the pc AGI counterpart).
reviewed King's Quest IV, noting the beautiful graphics, but also mentioning the game ran slowly if the screen contained animations. The game's puzzles were described as "uneven", but the presentation was considered cinematic in quality.
Adventure game
An adventure game is a video game in which the player assumes the role of protagonist in an interactive story driven by exploration and puzzle-solving instead of physical challenge. The genre's focus on story allows it to draw heavily from other narrative-based media such as literature and film,...
with a female protagonist. The player takes on the role of Princess Rosella, daughter of King Graham of Daventry (KQI
King's Quest I: Quest for the Crown
King's Quest: Quest for the Crown is a 1984 adventure game, originally published for the IBM PCjr simply as King's Quest. The story and the general design of the game was developed by Roberta Williams....
and KQII
King's Quest II: Romancing the Throne
King's Quest II: Romancing the Throne is the second installment in the King's Quest series created by Sierra Entertainment...
) and the twin sister of Gwydion/Alexander (KQIII
King's Quest III: To Heir Is Human
King's Quest III: To Heir Is Human is the third installment in the King's Quest series of computer games produced by Sierra On-Line. It was the first game in the series not to feature King Graham as the player character....
). KQIV was also one of the first PC games to support a sound card
Sound card
A sound card is an internal computer expansion card that facilitates the input and output of audio signals to and from a computer under control of computer programs. The term sound card is also applied to external audio interfaces that use software to generate sound, as opposed to using hardware...
.
This is the only chapter in the King's Quest
King's Quest
King's Quest is an adventure game series created by the American software company Sierra Entertainment. It is widely considered a classic series from the golden era of adventure games. Following the success of its first installment, the series was primarily responsible for building the reputation...
series where the action takes place in real-time
Real-time computer graphics
Real-time computer graphics is the subfield of computer graphics focused on producing and analyzing images in real time. The term is most often used in reference to interactive 3D computer graphics, typically using a GPU, with video games the most noticeable users...
. The events of the game cover about 24 hours. Some activities must be completed during the day, while other puzzles can be solved only at night.
Story
King Graham has suffered a heart attack and is on the brink of death. The good fairy Genesta contacts Rosella through the magic mirror and offers her assistance. Genesta teleports Rosella to the land of Tamir, where she learns about a magical fruit that can heal her father.However, Genesta herself is in a weakened state because the evil fairy Lolotte stole the talisman that gives Genesta power. If Rosella cannot return the talisman to Genesta, the good fairy will be unable to help her return to Daventry in time to save her father. So in addition to finding a way to obtain the magic fruit, Rosella must win Lolotte's trust. She is charged with performing three tasks for the evil fairy, after which she has the opportunity to recover the stolen talisman.
Although Rosella's primary quest is to retrieve the magic fruit needed to save King Graham, it is possible to return to Daventry without completing this task. However, this leads to a tragic alternate ending to the game.
Characters
- Rosella
- Genesta
- Lolotte
- Edgar
- Frankie of Avalon
- Frog Prince
- Ogre and Ogress
- Troll
- Goons
- Ghosts
- Seven Dwarfs
- Fisherman and his Wife
- Cupid
- Unicorn
- Hen
- Three Witches
- Pan
Name
In 1988 Roberta WilliamsRoberta Williams
Roberta Williams is an American video game designer. She is most famous for her pioneering work in graphical adventure games, particularly the King's Quest series.-Career:...
revealed about the subtitle: "It was sort of based on The Perils of Pauline
The Perils of Pauline
The Perils of Pauline may refer to:* The Perils of Pauline , a 1914 silent film serial* The Perils of Pauline , a 1933 film serial from Universal Studios...
."
Music
King's Quest IV was the first commercial entertainment product to support add-on music cards and synthesizers, such as the AdLibAdLib
Ad Lib, Inc. was a manufacturer of sound cards and other computer equipment founded by Martin Prevel, a former professor of music and vice-dean of the music department at the Université Laval...
Music Card and Roland MT-32
Roland MT-32
The Roland MT-32 Multi-Timbre Sound Module is a MIDI synthesizer module first released in 1987 by Roland Corporation. Along with its compatible modules, it established an early de-facto standard in computer music and was the first product in Roland's ミュージくん line of Desktop Music System packages...
. Standard IBM PCs came equipped with a speaker capable of only simple beeps and tones
PC speaker
A PC speaker is a loudspeaker, built into some IBM PC compatible computers. The first IBM Personal Computer, model 5150, employed a standard 2.25 inch magnetic driven speaker. More recent computers use a piezoelectric speaker instead. The speaker allows software and firmware to provide...
, at a time when video-game consoles and competing personal computers (such as the Apple IIGS and Commodore Amiga) possessed far more sophisticated sound-generation hardware.
Sierra's new SCI
Sierra's Creative Interpreter
Sierra's Creative Interpreter is the scripting language created by Jeff Stephenson of Sierra On-Line for its adventure games after the older AGI, and the runtime environment for such adventure games....
engine allowed the game designers to incorporate an orchestrated musical score along with more complex sound-effects, a previously unattainable feat. To ensure an immersive soundtrack, composer William Goldstein, known for several Hollywood soundtracks (such as the 1982 television series Fame
Fame (1982 TV series)
Fame is an American television series originally produced between 1982 and 1987. The show was based on the 1980 motion picture of the same name. Using a mixture of drama and music, it followed the lives of the students and faculty at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. Although...
), was hired to write the game's musical score, totaling over 75 short music pieces.
Versions
This game was simultaneously produced and published in the AGIAdventure Game Interpreter
The Adventure Game Interpreter is a game engine which Sierra On-Line used through most of the 1980s to create and run animated, color adventure games...
and SCI
Sierra's Creative Interpreter
Sierra's Creative Interpreter is the scripting language created by Jeff Stephenson of Sierra On-Line for its adventure games after the older AGI, and the runtime environment for such adventure games....
engines. The AGI engine was used in all earlier Sierra adventure games, the SCI in all later ones. The main advantages of SCI are a higher video resolution (320x200 rather than 160x200 in AGI), sound card support, mouse support, and a more versatile scripting system.
The AGI version was made because Sierra supposed that contemporary low-end systems would be unable to run the SCI version and would require a 'lighter' version of the game. However, sales figures proved them wrong and the AGI version was swiftly discontinued. Because of its rarity, the AGI version could be considered a collector's item.
The two games are identical in gameplay, except that the SCI version was updated with some additional parser responses. However, AGI version 2.0 contains the famous 'beam me' easter egg (which transported Rosella to a Star Trek-esque room with all of the development team present). This easter egg is neither present in any SCI version nor in AGI version 2.3.
A version identical to the AGI version was released on the Apple IIGS with improved music and effects (over the pc AGI counterpart).
Designer
Roberta Williams wrote in the notes to the King's Quest Collection Series, "Before King’s Quest IV was released, word leaked out that Graham would have a heart attack and might die. Fans were upset enough to write in, asking to save Graham. I wanted King's Quest IV to have some pressure applied to you: a timed game, taking place over a 24- hour period, so you roam around during the day and eventually it turns to night. I don’t remember other games using the same scenes at night; it looked creepy."Reception
Scorpia of Computer Gaming WorldComputer Gaming World
Computer Gaming World was a computer game magazine founded in 1981 by Russell Sipe as a bimonthly publication. Early issues were typically 40-50 pages in length, written in a newsletter style, including submissions by game designers such as Joel Billings , Dan Bunten , and Chris Crawford...
reviewed King's Quest IV, noting the beautiful graphics, but also mentioning the game ran slowly if the screen contained animations. The game's puzzles were described as "uneven", but the presentation was considered cinematic in quality.
Copy protection
A notable feature in this game is its copy-protection system, which requires the user to refer to a specific word in the manual. In later compilations, a table was provided for printout, with every possible word listed on it.Credits
The following individuals were credited with the creation of this game:- Designer: Roberta WilliamsRoberta WilliamsRoberta Williams is an American video game designer. She is most famous for her pioneering work in graphical adventure games, particularly the King's Quest series.-Career:...
- Programming: Chane Fullmer, Ken Koch
- Interpreter / Development System: Pablo Ghenis, Stuart Goldstein, Robert E. Heitman, Jeff Stephenson
- Graphics / Artwork: William D. Skirvin
- Animation: Carolly Hauksdottir, Gerald Moore
- Music: William Goldstein
- Executive Producer: Ken WilliamsKen Williams (gaming)Ken Williams is an American game programmer and co-founded On-Line Systems, which later became Sierra On-Line, together with his wife Roberta Williams. Roberta and Ken married at the age of 19 and have two children...
- Director: Roberta Williams
- Contribution Not Specified: Robert Ballew, Dale Carlson, Robert E. Heitman, Chris Hoyt, Al LoweAl LoweAl Lowe is an American musician and game designer/programmer who developed several adventure games, mostly for Sierra On-Line. He is best known for his creation of Leisure Suit Larry and the long-running series it spawned....
, David Slayback - Graphics System: Robert E. Heitman
- Cavalry Coding: Robert E. Heitman, Chris Hoyt, Al Lowe, David Slayback
- Wrangling: Robert Ballew, Dale Carlson
External links
- King's Quest IV: The Perils of Rosella on MobyGamesMobyGames-Platforms not yet included:- Further reading :* Rusel DeMaria, Johnny L. Wilson, High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games, McGraw-Hill/Osborne Media; 2 edition , ISBN 0-07-223172-6...
- Original Soundtrack
- KQ4 Review/Screenshots (Adventure Classic Gaming)
- King's Quest IV at the Sierra Chest
- Internet Movie Database, King's Quest IV: The Perils of Rosella (Video Game 1988)