Forums > Game Forums > Dragon's Keep > Source for PC version info?
vileyn0id_8088 (21040) on 8/22/2016 7:22 PM · Permalink · Report
This goes for either the submitter or the approver - what confirms its existence? Just saw this added recently, and inquiring Sierra-heads want to know. :)
vedder (70767) on 8/22/2016 7:27 PM · Permalink · Report
The manual contains pc installation instructions: http://mocagh.org/sierra/dragonskeep-alt-manual.pdf
vileyn0id_8088 (21040) on 8/22/2016 8:45 PM · Permalink · Report
Interesting, another 'lost' one then. Thanks!
Trypticon (11024) on 8/22/2016 9:41 PM · edited · Permalink · Report
Platforms listed in manuals are actually quite weak evidence for an actual release. Some of my trivia entries for unreleased ports indicate that. Because there are credits in this case, I would rate reliability a bit higher, but it' still not definitive in my view. There is in fact an example that involves Sierra: their manual for Silpheed lists Mac/Amiga/Atari ST ports and the programmer, but those were never released.
Unfortunately, I haven't seen Sierra catalogs from 84/86 yet which could give more evidence.
Trixter (8952) on 8/23/2016 1:30 AM · Permalink · Report
That's not proof of existence; there have been many manuals published with instructions for ports that never surfaced (like the Atari ST loading instructions in the King's Quest V manual). I think this should be reverted until proven. Even a magazine review would be better, since that means somebody played some version of it on PCjr.
Pseudo_Intellectual (66360) on 8/23/2016 2:00 AM · Permalink · Report
I don't think its possible release for PC is an outrageous possibility, as its same-engine brethren Troll's Tale and Winnie the Pooh both appeared on PC (though not apparently so for the Dark Crystal!)
That said, whether or not it was doable has little bearing on whether or not it was done.
Joe Pranevich (660) on 8/24/2016 2:00 AM · Permalink · Report
Hey guys. I was the original submitter and I agree that there's a bit of a mystery with this one. I searched for disk images or box art and in the end just went with it because it was in the manual. However, there are other references to a PC version:
1983 - This review lists it as being for the PC: http://www.sierragamers.com/uploads/24082/articles/dragons_keep_reviewcgwjuly83.pdf
1984 - Listed as available for mail order from Northeastern Software in several ads that they published every other month: https://books.google.com/books?id=IJAhwYh-TZkC&lpg=PA297&ots=v2jFo2Ihih&dq=%22dragon's%20keep%22%20ibm&pg=PA297#v=onepage&q=%22dragon's%20keep%22%20ibm&f=false
1985 - Book lists it for sale for the PCjr: https://books.google.com/books?id=hoxOAAAAYAAJ&q=%22dragon%27s+keep%22+ibm&dq=%22dragon%27s+keep%22+ibm&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwixrPi6gNnOAhUFJh4KHcObCR0Q6AEIHjAA
1986 - Ads for Paradise Graphics cards list it as one of their "supported games" for the IBM PC. (The same ad ran in multiple issues.): https://books.google.com/books?id=oy8EAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA35&ots=NnE_LaeEks&dq=%22dragon's%20keep%22%20ibm&pg=PA35#v=onepage&q=%22dragon's%20keep%22%20ibm&f=false
I don't know if this is enough, but if it existed it was probably rare. I wouldn't be surprised if this was only released for the PCjr and died with that system.
vileyn0id_8088 (21040) on 8/24/2016 11:06 AM · Permalink · Report
Interesting - thanks for those links. BTW, that first review only says Apple II (the IBM mention is for Snooper Troops II); that's expected though, since a PCjr game wouldn't have come out in July '83. The others do lend a little more credence to its existence though.