Sierra On-Line
The adventure game empire
Ken and Roberta Williams built Sierra from their kitchen table into the dominant force in graphic adventure games, creating King's Quest, Space Quest, and Leisure Suit Larry.
Overview
Sierra pioneered graphic adventures when Roberta Williams saw potential in combining pictures with text. From Mystery House (1980) through the Quest series, Sierra defined how adventures looked and played. Their AGI and SCI engines powered dozens of games that shaped a generation’s expectations.
Fast facts
- Founded: 1979 as On-Line Systems by Ken and Roberta Williams.
- Renamed: Sierra On-Line in 1982.
- Based: Oakhurst, California (then Bellevue, Washington).
- Acquisition: CUC International (1996), then various owners.
Key franchises
| Series | Creator | Games |
|---|---|---|
| King’s Quest | Roberta Williams | 8 main games |
| Space Quest | Two Guys from Andromeda | 6 games |
| Leisure Suit Larry | Al Lowe | 7 games |
| Police Quest | Jim Walls | 4 games |
| Quest for Glory | Lori & Corey Cole | 5 games |
| Gabriel Knight | Jane Jensen | 3 games |
Technology evolution
AGI (Adventure Game Interpreter)
- Used 1984-1989
- 160×200 graphics, 16 colours
- Text parser input
- Powered early Quest games
SCI (Sierra Creative Interpreter)
- Used 1988-1996
- Higher resolution, more colours
- Point-and-click interface (SCI1+)
- Powered later Quest games
Business model
Sierra’s approach:
- Regular sequels to proven franchises
- Package with high-quality manuals and feelies
- Aggressive retail distribution
- International localisation
The Williams era
Ken and Roberta built a unique company:
- Remote mountain location fostered creativity
- Family atmosphere attracted talent
- Direct involvement in game design
- Significant risk-taking on new genres
Designer-driven development
Sierra let designers drive projects:
- Roberta Williams: dramatic, story-focused
- Mark Crowe/Scott Murphy: irreverent sci-fi comedy
- Al Lowe: adult humour
- Jane Jensen: literary, dark themes
Later years and decline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1996 | CUC International acquisition |
| 1998 | Merged into Cendant, then Havas |
| 1999 | Major studio closures |
| 2000s | Brand used for various releases |
| 2014 | Activision revives brand briefly |
Legacy
Sierra established:
- Graphic adventures as commercial genre
- Designer-as-star model
- Quest naming convention
- Standards for adventure packaging