Roberta Williams
Roberta Williams
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Key Game Releases and Creative Output

This timeline highlights Roberta Williams' most significant game design and writing contributions at Sierra On-Line, showcasing her evolution as a game creator.
'Mystery House'
1980
Roberta's debut game, 'Mystery House', a black-and-white adventure game with simple line graphics, becomes a surprise hit, establishing her as a key figure in the nascent computer game industry.
'Wizard and the Princess'
1981
Known also as 'Adventure in Serenia', this was one of the first adventure games to utilize color graphics, making a significant step in the evolution of visual storytelling in games. It was also released under the brand 'SierraVenture'.
'King's Quest: Quest for the Crown'
1984
Considered Roberta's magnum opus. It uses a 16-color display with improved graphics and a 3rd-person perspective. 'King's Quest' is widely regarded as one of the first truly successful graphical adventure games, popularizing the genre and establishing Sierra as a leading game developer. Sir Graham and the kingdom of Daventry becomes gaming icons.
'King's Quest IV: The Perils of Rosella'
1988
This game marks a breakthrough in the adventure game genre as it features a female protagonist, Rosella, venturing on a dangerous quest to save her father. It was also one of the first games to support sound cards, enhancing the audio experience.
'King's Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow'
1993
Co-designed with Jane Jensen, this game is often considered one of the best in the King's Quest series, praised for its intricate plot, challenging puzzles, and memorable characters. It features a more cinematic approach to storytelling.
'Phantasmagoria'
1995
A full-motion video (FMV) adventure game, 'Phantasmagoria' was controversial for its graphic content but also a commercial success. Roberta served as the writer and designer of the game and it demonstrated her willingness to experiment with new technologies and push boundaries.
'King's Quest: Mask of Eternity'
1998
This was the last game Roberta Williams designed. A departure from the traditional King's Quest style, it features 3D graphics and a more action-oriented gameplay. It marked the end of Roberta's active involvement in game development.