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Third episode of The Silver Lining out now
Phoenix Online has announced that the third episode of its Activision-sanctioned King's Quest game, The Silver Lining, has been released. Entitled "My Only Love Sprung from My Only Hate," the episode was delayed from its original January 29 date in order to add more polish to the project. Those who have already installed the first two episodes may download the third by itself, while those who are new to The Silver Lining can grab all three episodes in a single, free download. Note that users will have to register for the Phoenix Online fan club in order to download the episode. Check out a trailer for the third episode after the break.
King's Quest 3 fan remake announced, The Silver Lining episode 3 delayed
Two separate, but oddly parallel, developments in the world of King's Quest fan games were announced this week, in what must be the biggest week for King's Quest news in years. First, Phoenix Online announced a delay for the third episode of the officially Activision-blessed fan series, The Silver Lining, from January 29 to early February. In the announcement, the developer claimed that the episode, which is "more than twice the size of Episode 2," and which necessitated the hiring of 20 additional animators, needed extra polish. In other "third King's Quest game" news, AGD Interactive announced a fan remake of King's Quest 3: To Heir is Human, which it says it has been "covertly developing" over eight years. The planned release date? February!%Gallery-115161%
The Silver Lining Episode 2 launching September 18
Phoenix Online Studios has announced that the second episode of The Silver Lining, entitled The Two Households, will be available for download (for free) this Saturday, September 18. The second episode sees King Graham travel the Green Isles in search of ingredients for the spell to save his cursed children. It promises to be both longer and "beefier" than the first installment, and will also include some new interface improvements based on player feedback. Additionally, the new improvements will also be added to the first episode. Episode Two and the updated Episode One will both be available from The Silver Lining's website this Saturday. Check out a new trailer and some screenshots below.%Gallery-102188%
New Silver Lining chapter out in September, old King's Quest games on GoG now
Phoenix Online Studios announced that the second chapter of its Activision-approved(ish) free King's Quest game, The Silver Lining, will be released next month. In a post on the game's site, Phoenix's Cesar Bittar notes some of the improvements that have been made based on feedback from those who played the first game. Thanks to you, Episode 2: Two Households will have better pathfinding, the option to switch between "extended" and "short" narration, new walking animation (with a walk/run toggle), more subtitle options, and widescreen support. In terms of gameplay, there are 17 new locations, a roughly 4-hour-long quest, and "puzzles a-plenty to keep you entertained." If you want to catch up on this King's Quest business so you can understand why fans would go to the trouble of making a tribute game, GoG.com just added a King's Quest 1-3 bundle to its shop, for $9.99. You can get a pack with 4, 5, and 6 for the same price. We'll warn you now: these games look and sound quite vintage.
Phoenix Online Studios talks The Silver Lining, next project
You may have heard that The Silver Lining is back on track for a free release. Now read Big Download's interview with Phoenix Online Studios and learn how the project began and what the team has planned for the future, including its first original project, Corridor 9.
King's Quest fan project revived, coming July 10
After shutting down Phoenix Online Studios' lovingly crafted King's Quest fan project due to a licensing conflict back in February, it seems Activision has reconsidered its position. According to the indie developer's blog, Activision has rescinded its cease and desist, and has granted the studio a non-commercial license to release the game. On July 10, Phoenix will release Chapter One of its 3D tribute to Roberta Williams' beloved adventure franchise, titled The Silver Lining. Thanks to Activision's demands, the game will be released for free. Click past the jump to see the title's (re)announcement trailer, or check out our impressions of an early demo of the game we checked out earlier this year.
Hands-on: The Silver Lining (the game Activison doesn't want you to play)
Here's the real reason Activision doesn't want you to play this fan-made sequel to the legendary King's Quest series: It caught a whiff of money. Rather than working out a deal with with the developer, Activision sent it a cease and desist, even after a deal had been worked out with Vivendi Universal games that would allow the game to be distributed for free (as long as King's Quest was taken out of the title).But the game does indeed exist. At least, one episode out of a proposed five does, although the developers are no longer actively working on it due to Activision's legal saber-rattling. I played it at PAX on a laptop belonging to one of the developers, and I'm desperately hoping that this will make its way into the wild so you can play it for yourself. If the developers are able to buy the license from Activision, that might actually happen. The Silver Lining might not have the words "King's Quest" in the title, but the heart of that series definitely beats in this game.%Gallery-89156%
Silver Lining devs want to purchase King's Quest license from Activision
The collective biomass of indie developers who (up until recently) had been working hard on an unofficial sequel to the King's Quest series are organizing with an intent to purchase the intellectual property from Activision. Phoenix Online Studios -- developers of The Silver Lining -- had been hit with a cease-and-desist order late last month. Speaking with Joystiq at PAX East 2010, co-project director and art director Richard Flores revealed that if an online movement to reverse Activision's decision to stop production on the title was unsuccessful, the development team would attempt to purchase the license from Activision.
Activision shuts down fan-made King's Quest sequel
After successfully fighting a cease and desist order by Vivendi Universal five years ago, the unofficial continuation to the King's Quest series has been shut down for good. In 2005, fans successfully convinced Vivendi to allow the indie team behind The Silver Lining to continue development, thanks in part to a letter writing campaign. The original deal would see the game's authorized release as part of a non-commercial fan license; however, current King's Quest IP holder Activision has decided (after "talks and negotiations") it is not interested in entering a similar agreement with the indie team. In 2008, Activision said it didn't have any immediate plans to utilize the classic licenses (including King's Quest) it received in the infamous $18 billion merger with Vivendi. What concludes is eight long years of development by a dedicated fan base. On the fan project's official site, a letter from the development team thanks fans for their continued support and shares its disappointment in the decision. It's always difficult when hard work goes unnoticed and we wish everyone involved the best of luck. [Thanks, Chris]
