Forums > Game Forums > Conquests of Camelot: The Search for the Grail > Conflicting info about Conquests of Camelot
Bullyt (525) on 2/11/2009 5:46 PM · Permalink · Report
Two things seem uncertain: the release date and the developer.
As for the former, every single bit except the manual (titled Liber ex doctrina) has the year 1989 printed. For some reason, the manual has 1990 on its back cover. Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conquests_of_Camelot) lists both years, 1989 in the beginning of the article, and 1990 in the info box. Christy Marx's, the game's designer's, homepage (http://www.christymarx.com) says nothing except that the game received "Best Computer Adventure Game of 1990" by VideoGames and Computer Entertainment magazine.
Should the release date be changed to 1989?
As for the latter, the box scans here have a mysterious line "(C) 1989 MOONFIRE PRODUCTIONS" printed on them. Should the developer be changed to Moonfire Productions? (Sierra On-Line is obviously the publisher)
Sciere (930488) on 2/11/2009 6:08 PM · edited · Permalink · Report
Moonfire Productions is the self-publishing imprint of Christy Marx who designed and directed the game, and wrote the storyline. In the past, the company appears to have been active in (co-)publishing comics. It may not be very relevant to list it, because it only refers to Christy Marx working most likely externally for Sierra at the time.
As for the release date, the Amiga version is definitely 1990, check these five review sources at Lemon Amiga that were published between September 1990 and December 1990.
For the DOS version, there is a review of the game in Dragon 160 from August 1990.
As for Atari ST, note this press release (17th June 1990): "In the first quarter of 1990, Sierra has plans to ship no fewer than three new Sierra titles, with two of these planned between April and July. Due out soon are new Hero's Quest, Leisure Suit Larry 3, and The Colonel's Bequest. Later in the year, Conquests of Camelot and Codename: Iceman will be released for the ST in the U.S. and European markets". There is one discordance in the November 1989 issue of STart Magazine, where it is listed with an order address. Apart from the look as if it was available and could be ordered at that time, there is no definite proof.
It often happens games are finished and branded with that date, only to be released a few months later. Based on the reviews and source online, I find it unlikely to have been released any earlier than July 1990. Also, SynTax magazine of September 1989 has it listed in the news section as "coming to the UK this winter", but such a claim would need to be backed up by a review.
Also, an entertaining promotional video for the game, when it still had a different name.
St. Martyne (3648) on 2/11/2009 7:26 PM · Permalink · Report
[Q --start Sciere wrote--] Also, an entertaining promotional video for the game, when it still had a different name. [/Q --end Sciere wrote--]
Were I to see such commercial for a modern game, I would totally be sold. Alas, it is a thing of a long gone past.
Pseudo_Intellectual (66360) on 2/11/2009 7:27 PM · Permalink · Report
Also, an entertaining promotional video for the game, when it still had a different name.
Hey, a Sierra game isn't done until they've shoehorned "quest" somewhere in its title 8)
I dig the bit with the game designers in full SCA gear.
Indra was here (20755) on 2/13/2009 9:14 PM · Permalink · Report
[Q --start Pseudo_Intellectual wrote--]Hey, a Sierra game isn't done until they've shoehorned "quest" somewhere in its title 8) [/Q --end Pseudo_Intellectual wrote--] Camelot Quest just doesn't fit well. Someone got wise in the marketing department once upon a time...