Sierra talks risk and new IPs
Sierra says it's ramping up new IPs and isn't afraid of the risk. They'll be developing new games in the RTS, open world (sandbox), FPS and kids genres. Speaking with GI.biz, Sierra's Pres. Martin Temblay says they're going to compete with the big guys -- we assume he means EA and Ubisoft -- and going after the console world. He says, "We will surprise a lot of people because our commitment to quality is absolutely there, and we're taking a real step forward in terms of the balance of licensed titles, original IP and strong sequels."
It's an interesting time for Sierra to step up their PR efforts and show off a little -- which was apparently a mandate from parent company Vivendi. Despite having some solid titles in recent years (with no insane breakouts mind you), we can't help but hear Sierra and still instantly think about the adventure genre glory days with Roberta Williams and Al Lowe (we miss them both). If Sierra really wants to change, they might want to start with their name. Or else we're going to keep expecting the return of King's Quest or the real Leisure Suit Larry.
It's an interesting time for Sierra to step up their PR efforts and show off a little -- which was apparently a mandate from parent company Vivendi. Despite having some solid titles in recent years (with no insane breakouts mind you), we can't help but hear Sierra and still instantly think about the adventure genre glory days with Roberta Williams and Al Lowe (we miss them both). If Sierra really wants to change, they might want to start with their name. Or else we're going to keep expecting the return of King's Quest or the real Leisure Suit Larry.











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Roxinos @ Sep 11th 2007 8:06PM
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks of King's Quest and Space Quest (never played LSL) when I hear "Sierra".
N-Zero(NDF-Leader) @ Sep 11th 2007 8:07PM
sierra should make a game for the Wii. They make pretty good games. OOO and to predict anybody from saying they'll make a kids game for the Wii. I want them to make a adult M-Rated title. Something like F.E.A.R. They are good developers for taking out the power out of its systems. I think they would be a good developer for the Wii. So we can get more 3rd parties on the Wii band wagon.
the_game_master @ Sep 11th 2007 8:13PM
I remember Sierra use to make a lot of Adult themed games for PC back in the mid 90s when I was kid. There games for the home system weren't terrible either.
Rise of the Dragon (Sega CD)
Steller Fire (Sega CD)
Are two good games that come to mind that I enjoyed playing.
Guybrush Threepwood @ Sep 11th 2007 8:22PM
No point-and-clicks or adventure games in general?
Next story please.
Alban @ Sep 11th 2007 8:35PM
Sierra evokes memories of Hero's Quest, which was later renamed "So you want to be a hero." My heart still jumps a beat everytime I see Sierra news... in the hopes that they will remake those games or put out another sequel.
Viridium @ Sep 12th 2007 10:59AM
It was originally called Hero's Quest, but when Sierra forgot to trademark the name (oops!) the PC adaptation of the Hero Quest board game forced them to change the name to Quest for Glory. I thought the subtitle ("So You Want to be a Hero") was always present?
Sean @ Sep 11th 2007 8:43PM
STARSEIGE!!!!
LaughingTarget @ Sep 11th 2007 8:52PM
I want Sierra to redeem themselves for the garbage that was Quest for Glory 5 by making a proper sequel.
LaughingTarget @ Sep 11th 2007 8:53PM
I want Sierra to redeem themselves for the garbage that was Quest for Glory 5 by making a proper sequel.
LaughingTarget @ Sep 11th 2007 8:57PM
Darn thee, infernal Demon of the Double Post!
SPJglitches @ Sep 11th 2007 9:38PM
Hopefully it works out for them. Majesco tried the same thing a while back, and we all know how that turned out...
Guybrush Threepwood @ Sep 11th 2007 9:47PM
Wasn't Psychonauts one of those new IPs?
They did more than fine.
hvnlysoldr (NDF - Wind Ring) @ Sep 11th 2007 9:52PM
They did double fine
LaughingTarget @ Sep 11th 2007 9:55PM
Psychonaut's quality may have been just fine, but it just didn't sell.
I hope that Sierra does manage to pull a profit off World in Conflict. From what I played in BETA and the demo, it will rock me hard.
Neon Jebus @ Sep 11th 2007 10:46PM
Was I the only one that enjoyed the Phantasmagoria series?
n_revolution9 @ Sep 11th 2007 10:58PM
King's Quest VI!!! HELL YEAH!!!
Andrew Fong @ Sep 12th 2007 12:17AM
Space Quest 7 FTW!
refinedsugar @ Sep 12th 2007 1:32AM
No love for Police Quest? Bah.
mootyslayer @ Sep 12th 2007 2:05AM
Loved Gabriel Knight. I miss old school sierra.
J @ Sep 12th 2007 2:12AM
Forge that, I want a new space quest. Somethings should have another go. Cmon Roger Wilco!!!
t_m @ Sep 12th 2007 2:24AM
I mostly remember the sierra logo on Half Life.
I'm not imagining that an i? THough i dunno how much they had to do with it.
Its weird, most of the old games i used to play had Sierra, Interplay, etc.. logos.. but now all the old publishers have kinda gone... :-(
blooh @ Sep 12th 2007 2:54AM
hell yeah, kings quest 5/6 were awesome
Ryan P. @ Sep 12th 2007 5:37AM
From the comments so far it's clear that Sierra's association with it's old adventure IP's could be it's greatest strength not it's weakness.
If they could come up with a way of updating the those classic franchises the same way mario and metroid have been updated that would put them closer to the top. The Wii remote's pointer function would be perfect for the return of the genre.
But judging from the announcement of more :
"RTS, open world (sandbox), FPS and kids genres."
this idea seems to have flown over their heads.
Ryan
jquadman @ Sep 12th 2007 10:23AM
It is pretty sad. It seems to me that they wouldn't have much to lose in remaking these games and releasing them for XBLA or Wii. The Space Quest and King's Quest series were recently released for the PC (although quite sloppily). There were no real updates (used DOSkey), and the necessary information that came in magazine form with one or two of the games was completely missing in the package. I miss the old Sierra.