The Ultimate Sierra Timeline

1979

c. November

Roberta Williams is introduced to the game Adventure (or Colossal Cave Adventure) through an IBM remote terminal that her husband, Ken, brings home to work on. She obsesses over the game and plays through the game until completion

Hackers, pg. 295-296; The Sierra Adventure, pg. 42-43, Not All Fairy Tales Have Happy Endings, pg. 42-45

1980

c. January

Ken Williams purchases his first Apple ][ after seeing his little brother bring one home. Roberta starts buying more adventure games for the Apple ][

Hackers, pg. 296-297

c. April

Roberta proposes to Ken the idea about creating an adventure game of her own – featuring pictures, the first ever graphical adventure game

Hackers, pg. 297-298; The Sierra Adventure, pg. 43, Not All Fairy Tales Have Happy Endings, pgs. 46-47

c. May

Hi-Res Adventure (“Mystery House”)

developed by Ken & Roberta Williams for the Apple ][

Micro 6502, May 1980

Trapshoot

developed by Keith Wild? for the Apple ][; Ken agrees to publish this game a few days after Mystery House

Micro 6502, May 1980

Skeetshoot

developed by Keith Wild? for the Apple ][; Ken agrees to publish this game a few days after Mystery House

Micro 6502, May 1980

Hi-Res Adventure/Skeetshoot

compilation of Mystery House and Skeetshoot on one disk for the Apple ][

Micro 6502, May 1980

The release of these games starts the company On-Line Systems

c. July

Ken & Roberta move to Coarsegold, California

Hackers, pg. 300-301; The Sierra Adventure, pg. 46, Softalk Vol 1, No. 1, pg. 5, Not All Fairy Tales Have Happy Endings, pg. 67-68

Paddle Graphics

developed by Ken Williams for the Apple ][

Infoworld, Sept. 1, 1980, pg. 12, 16 (based on Simi Valley address and Coarsegold addresses both shown)

Tablet Graphics

developed by Ken Williams for the Apple ][

Infoworld, Sept. 1, 1980, pg. 12, 16 (based on Simi Valley address and Coarsegold addresses both shown)

c. September

Hi-Res Adventure #2: The Wizard and the Princess

developed by Ken & Roberta Williams for the Apple ][

Hackers, pg. 301; Computer Gaming World, Vol. 2, No. 5, pg. 2; Softalk, Vol. 1, No. 3, pg. 44

c. November

Hi-Res Adventure #1: Mystery House for Apple ][

re-release

Softalk Vol. 1, No. 3, pg. 36

Hi-Res Football

developed by Jay Sullivan for the Apple ][

Softalk Vol. 1, No. 4, pg. 24; Softalk Vol. 1, No. 5, pg. 36; Infoworld, November 10, 1980, pg. 35

c. December

On-Line Systems moves out of the Williams’ kitchen and rents its first office building in Oakhurst, California, hiring its first official office employees

Hackers, pg. 301-302; The Sierra Adventure, pg. 46-47

Hi-Res Adventure #0: Mission: Asteroid

developed by Ken & Roberta Williams for the Apple ][

Softalk Vol. 1, No. 5, pg. 19; Electronic Fun with Computers and Games Vol. 2, No. 5, pg. 32 (notes that Mission: Asteroid was released before Christmas); Softalk Vol. 1, No. 7, pg. 52

Hi-Res Cribbage

originally developed independently by Warren Schwader for the Apple ][ and published by On-Line Systems

Hackers, pg. 331, Softalk Vol. 1, No. 5, pg. 25; Softalk Vol. 1, No. 6, pg. 6

1981

c. February

Superscript

originally developed independently by Dave Kidwell for the Apple ][ and published by On-Line Systems

Softalk Vol. 1, No. 6, pg. 6, 38

Hi-Res Adventure #1: Mystery House for Apple ][

re-release

Softalk Vol. 1, No. 6, back cover

Hi-Res Adventure #2: Wizard and the Princess for Apple ][

re-release

Softalk Vol. 1, No. 6, back cover

c. March

Superscribe

updated re-release of Kidwell’s Superscript for the Apple ][

Softalk Vol. 1, No. 7, pg. 41; Creative Computing Vol. 7, No. 4, pg. 49; Compute, No. 10, pg. 63; the packaging remained the same as SuperScript, but the disk was updated with the Superscribe label

Missile Defense

originally developed independently by Dave Clark for the Apple ][ and published by On-Line Systems

Softalk Vol. 1, No. 7, pg. 48; Softalk Vol. 1, No. 9, pg. 76; Softalk Vol. 1, No. 11, pg. 67

c. May

Hi-Res Soccer

developed by Jay Sullivan and Ken Williams for the Apple ][

Softalk Vol. 1, No. 9, pg. 13, 28; Creative Computing Vol. 7, No. 5, pg. 50

Sabotage

originally developed independently by Mark Allen for the Apple ][ and published by On-Line Systems

The On-Line Letter Vol. 1, No. 1, pg. 16; Softalk Vol. 1, No. 11, pg. 64, 67-68

Thrilogy

a collection of three games previously developed independently by Warren Schwader for the Apple ][ and combined onto one disk and published by On-Line Systems

Hackers, pg. 331, Softalk Vol. 1, No. 10, pg. 61; Creative Computing Vol. 7, No. 6, pg. 43; Infoworld, May 11, 1981, pg. 47; Softside Vol. 4, No. 9, pg. 79

c. June

Gobbler

originally developed independently by Olaf Lubeck for the Apple ][ and published by On-Line Systems

The On-Line Letter Vol. 1, No. 1, pg. 18; Softalk Vol. 1, No. 12, pg. 92; Hackers, pg. 322, Not All Fairy Tales Have Happy Endings, pg. 92

Sierra publishes its first newsletter, The On-Line Letter

The On-Line Letter Vol. 1, No. 1 Cover

c. July

Expediter ][

originally developed independently by Einstein/Goodrow Company (Stewart Einstein & Dennis Goodrow) for the Apple ][ and published by On-Line Systems

The On-Line Letter Vol. 1, No. 1, pg. 10-11, Softalk Vol. 1, No. 11, pg. 30; Softalk Vol. 2, No. 1, pg. 95, 115-116; Infoworld, July 6, 1981, pg. 9

Hi-Res Adventure #3: Cranston Manor

originally developed independently in 1980 as a text-based only program for the Sorcerer microcomputer by Larry Ledden, it was developed to a graphical version by Harold DeWitz and Ken Williams for the Apple ][

Softalk Vol. 2, No. 1, pg. 115; The On-Line Letter Vol. 1, No. 1, Front Cover

Softporn Adventure

originally developed independently by Chuck Benton for the Apple ][ and released under the company Blue Sky Software earlier in the year; this game was published by On-Line Systems

Hackers, pg. 335-336; Museum of Computer Adventure Game History: https://mocagh.org/loadpage.php?query=%5Bpublisher%5DBlue+Sky+Software

On-Line Systems begins to sell “I Survived the Night at Mystery House” t-shirts, the company’s first memorabilia

Softalk Vol. 1, No. 11, pg. 28

c. August

Hi-Res Adventure #3: Cranston Manor for the Apple ][

re-release

Softalk Vol. 1, No. 12, back cover

Jaw Breaker

developed by John Harris for the Atari 400/800 disk. This is the first software that On-Line Systems released for a system other than the Apple ][

Hackers, pg. 322-323; Creative Computing Vol. 7, No. 10, pg. 121; Compute, No. 16, pg. 87; Softline Vol. 1, No. 5, pg. 45

Lisa (2.5) and Speed/ASM

originally developed independently by Randy Hyde of Programma International for the Apple ][ and published by On-Line Systems

Softalk Vol. 1, No. 12, pg. 37; Softalk Vol. 2, No. 2, pg. 147-148; Softline Vol. 1, No. 1, pg. 12; Infoworld, October 12, 1981, pg. 1; Programma International - https://programma.applearchives.com/history/lisa-v26.html

Pegasus ][

developed by Olaf Lubeck for the Apple ][

Softalk Vol. 1, No. 12, pg. 24

Softporn Adventure for Apple ][

re-release

Hackers, pg. 336-337; Softline Vol. 1, No. 1, pg. 7; Softalk Vol. 2, No. 1, pg. 68; Infoworld, August 31, 1981, pgs. 30-31

c. September

Ken Williams partners with Al and Margot Tommervik to start Softline magazine to replace the On-Line Letter. Although not officially licensed by On-Line Systems, the company’s influence is clearly seen throughout the magazine

Softline Vol. 1, No. 1, pg. 1-2

Superscribe ][

updated re-release of Dave Kidwell’s Superscribe for the Apple ][

Softline Vol. 1, No. 1, pg. 5; Softalk Vol. 2, No. 1 pg. 54; Creative Computing Vol. 7, No. 10, pg. 113

c. October

Infoworld announces that On-Line Systems plans to merge with the company Sirius Software; however, a later edition corrects this error, as there was only discussion of a centralized purchasing facility and centralized production facilities

Infoworld, October 12, 1981, pg. 6; Infoworld, October 25, 1981, pg. 60

c. November

Cross Fire

developed by Jay Sullivan for the Apple ][

Softalk Vol. 2, No. 3, pg. 16; Softline Vol. 1, No. 2, back of front cover

The Dic-tio-nary

originally developed independently by Thomas G. Cain and James E. Linley for the Apple ][ and published by On-Line Systems

Softalk Vol. 2, No. 3, pg. 185; Softalk Vol. 2, No. 5, pg. 133

The General Manager

originally developed independently by Paul Malachowski and Kevin Cooper of Brillig Systems for the Apple ][ and published by On-Line Systems

Softalk Vol. 2, No. 3, back cover; The General Manager Reference Manual, pg. 1

Hi-Res Adventure #4: Ulysses and the Golden Fleece

developed by Bob Davis and Ken Williams for the Apple ][

Hackers, pg. 339, Softline Vol. 1, No. 1, Inside front cover; Softalk Vol. 2, No. 5, pg. 173-176

Jaw Breaker

developed by John Harris for the Atari 400/800 cassette; this is the first cassette game that Sierra developed

Softline Vol. 1, No. 5, pg. 46

Jaw Breaker

ported by Olaf Lubeck for the Apple ][. This port was just an updated version of Lubeck’s Gobbler using Harris’ character/creature designs

Softalk Vol. 2, No. 3, pg. 71

Lisa Educational Pak

Compilation of Lisa 2.5 and Speed/ASM for the Apple ][ along with Hyde’s book Using 6502 Assembly Language

Softalk Vol. 2, No. 3, pg. 47

The Next Step in Atari Graphics (Graphics Toolbox for the Atari 400/800)

originally developed independently by Bob Stewart of The Logic Smiths for the Atari 400/800 and published by On-Line Systems

Compute, No. 18, pg. 95

Threshold

developed by Warren Schwader and Ken Williams for the Apple ][

Softline Vol. 1, No. 2, pg. 29; Softalk Vol. 2, No. 4, pg. 115; Softalk Vol. 2, No. 5, pg. 173-176

c. December

A judge rules in On-Line System’s favor against Atari, Inc. after Atari files a legal preliminary injunction against the Atari version of Jaw Breaker due to its similarity to Pac-Man. Ken Williams settles the deposition outside of court, and Sierra is allowed to continue to market Jaw Breaker

Hackers, pg. 323-331; The Sierra Adventure, pg. 47-48, Not All Fairy Tales Have Happy Endings, pg. 93-94, Softalk Vol. 2, No. 5, pg. 44; Softline Vol. 1, No. 3, pg. 18-22; Infoworld, November 30, 1981, pg. 1, 29; Infoworld, December 21, 1981, pg. 1; Infoworld, January 18, 1982, pg. 1, 5; Computer Gaming World Vol. 2, No. 1, pg. 2; Softline Vol. 2, No. 3, pg. 48

Memory Management System (MMS ][)

developed by William “Bill” Reynolds III for the Apple ][

Softalk Vol. 2, No. 4, pg. 143

1982

c. January

Mouskattack

developed by John Harris for the Atari 400/800 and ported by Ken Williams for the Apple ][

Softalk Vol. 2, No. 5, pg. 89; Softline Vol. 1, No. 8, pg. 46; Compute, No. 20, pg. 12; Computer Gaming World Vol. 2, No. 1, pg. 2

c. February

Hi-Res Adventure #2: Wizard and the Princess

ported by Chris Iden for the Atari 400/800

Computer Gaming World Vol. 2, No. 2, pg. 5

Softporn Adventure

ported by Chris Iden for the Atari 400/800

The Dirty Book Vol. 2, No. 1, pg. 8-9, 61; Softporn front cover

Time Zone (Hi-Res Adventure #5)

developed by Roberta Williams for the Apple ][

Hackers, pg. 334; Softalk Vol. 2, No. 8, pg. 209-212

Sierra announces a port of Time Zone for the Atari 400/800; however, this port is eventually canceled)

Analog 400/800 Magazine, No. 6, pg. 7

c. March

Hi-Res Adventure #0: Mission Asteroid

ported by Chris Iden for the Atari 400/800

Computer Gaming World Vol. 2, No. 2, pg. 5

On-Line Systems announces The Guns of Neburon for the Atari 400/800 at the 7th West Coast Computer Faire; however, this game is eventually canceled

ANALOG 400/800 Magazine, No. 6, pg. 7

c. April

Cannonball Blitz

developed by Olaf Lubeck for the Apple ][

Softalk Vol. 2, No. 8, back cover; US Copyright Index: https://publicrecords.copyright.gov/detailed-record/voyager_11023054

Cross Fire

ported by Chris Iden to Atari 400/800 disk

Creative Computing Vol. 8, No. 5, pg. 103; Compute, No. 23, pg. 15; Antic Vol. 1, No. 1, back cover

The General Manager

(Version 1.5) (updated version of Paul Malachowski’s and Kevin Cooper’s General Manager for the Apple ][)

Softalk Vol. 2, No. 8, pg. 103

Expediter ][+

updated version of Stewart Einstein’s & Dennis Goodrow’s Expediter ][ for the Apple ][

Softalk Vol. 2, No. 8, pg. 103

Hi-Res Adventure #4: Ulysses and the Golden Fleece

ported by Chris Iden for the Atari 400/800

Antic Vol. 1, No. 1, back cover; Compute, No. 25, pg. 15

Marauder

originally developed independently by Rorke Weigandt and Eric Hammond for the Apple ][ and published by On-Line Systems

Softalk Vol. 2, No. 8, pg. 103, 110

Separate ads for Asap Computer Products and Discount Data Products lists a game called “Road Work” for the Atari 400/800 and Apple ][ respectively, but no reference is made to this game otherwise

Byte Vol. 7, No. 4, pg. 407; Creative Computing Vol. 8, No. 5, pg. 191

c. May

The Artist

developed by Warren Schwader and Ken Williams for the Apple ][

Softalk Vol. 2, No. 9, pg. 98; Softalk Vol. 2, No. 10, insert between pgs. 74-75

The Dic-tio-nary

(Version 2.0) (Updated version of Thomas G. Cain’s and James E. Linley’s Dictionary for the Apple ][)

Softalk Vol. 2, No. 9, pg. 98

EPF IV

originally developed independently by Ivan Strand of Foursoft for the Apple ][ and published by On-Line Systems

Softalk Vol. 2, No. 9, pg. 98; Softalk Vol. 2, No. 10, insert between pg. 162-163

Laf Pak

compilation of 4 games originally developed independently by Charles “Chuckles” Bueche for the Apple ][ and published by On-Line Systems

Softline Vol. 1, No. 5, pg. 6; Softalk Vol. 2, No. 10, pg. 10

Threshold

ported by Warren Schwader for the Atari 400/800

Creative Computing Vol. 8, No. 8, pg. 43; Compute, No. 24, pg. 19

c. June

Screenwriter ][

updated re-release of Kidwell’s Superscribe ][ for the Apple ][ with help from Jeff Schmoyer; name changed due to legal reasons with the title Superscribe

Softalk Vol. 2, No. 9, pg. 98; Softalk Vol. 2, No. 10, pg. 217-219; Softalk Vol. 2, No. 11, pg. 193-195; Softalk Vol. 2, No. 12, pg. 192

Screenwriter ][ Professional (collection of Screenwriter ][ and The Dic-tio-nary for the Apple ][)

Softalk Vol. 2, No. 10, pg. 112

c. August

Cross Fire

ported by Chris Iden to Atari 400/800 cassette

Antic Vol. 1, No. 3, pg. 50

On-Line Systems enters into a venture-capital deal with the company TA Associates

Hackers, pg. 359; Not All Fairy Tales Have Happy Endings, pg. 116-119

c. September

On-Line Systems changes its name to Sierra On-Line

Hackers, pg. 362; Softalk Vol. 3, No. 1, pg. 58; Softline Vol. 2, No. 1, pg. 2; Software Merchandising, October 1982, pg. 10

Cross Fire

ported by Chris Iden for Atari 400/800 Cartridge

This date is pure conjecture – the cover clearly has the Sierra On-Line logo, but it is still a folder release, before Sierra switched to the small SierraVision boxes that would debut the next month. Therefore, there is only a very small window that this release could have come out

Jawbreaker

ported by John Harris for the Atari VCS/2600 and published by TigerVision through a license from On-Line Systems

Hackers, pg. 356-357; Analog Computing No. 7, pg. 55; Electronic Games, September 1982, pg. 9

Threshold

ported by Warren Schwader for the Atari VCS/2600 version and published by TigerVision through a license from On-Line Systems

Analog Computing No. 7, pg. 55

c. October

Adventure in Serenia (port of Hi-Res Adventure #2: Wizard and the Princess by Jeff Stephenson for the IBM PC and published by IBM)

Adventure in Serenia manual, pg. ii, 6 - https://mocagh.org/sierra/serenia-manual.pdf; US Copyright Date of Publication: https://publicrecords.copyright.gov/detailed-record/voyager_13853974

The Artist for the Apple ][

re-release

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 201

Cannonball Blitz for the Apple ][

re-release

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 157

Box art: Crossfire for the Apple ][ and Atari 400/800 disk/cassette/cartridge

Crossfire for the Apple ][ and Atari 400/800 disk/cassette/cartridge

re-release

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 159

The Dic-tio-nary

(Version 2.0) for the Apple ][ (re-release)

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 203

EPF IV for the Apple ][

re-release

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 165

The Official Frogger

developed by John Harris for the Atari 400/800 disk and cassette; this game was separately developed by Olaf Lubeck for the Apple ][. Both versions were based off of the original arcade game, as Sierra obtained a license from Sega, who owned the American distributing rights. The packaging concept and artwork only were licensed to The Cornsoft Group and later Cogito Software for the TRS-80, Cornsoft for the Timex/Sinclair 2068, and to Starpath Corporation for the Starpath Supercharger

Hackers, pg. 351-355; Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 189; Softalk Vol. 3, No. 4, pg. 148, 225-226, 336; Creative Computing Vol. 8, No. 10, pg. 58; Computer Gaming World Vol. 2, No. 6, pg. 8; back cover of TRS-80 release: https://www.mobygames.com/game/1540/frogger/cover/group-293480/cover-732007/; Timex/Sinclair version: https://www.mobygames.com/game/1540/frogger/cover/group-343276/cover-832193/;Supercharger version: https://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-2600-vcs-official-frogger-_13622.html

The General Manager for Apple ][

re-release

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 167

Hi-Res Adventure #0: Mission: Asteroid for the Apple ][ and Atari 400/800

re-release

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 197

Hi-Res Adventure #1: Mystery House for the Apple ][

re-release

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 151

Hi-Res Adventure #2: Wizard and the Princess for Apple ][ and Atari 400/800

re-release

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 149

Hi-Res Adventure #3: Cranston Manor for the Apple ][

re-release

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 153

Hi-Res Adventure #4: Ulysses and the Golden Fleece

ported by Jeff Stephenson for the IBM PC

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 147; PC Magazine Vol. 1, No. 4, pg. 185; Softalk for IBM Vol. 1, No. 5, pg. 14

Hi-Res Adventure #4: Ulysses and the Golden Fleece for the Apple ][ and Atari 400/800

re-release

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 147

Laf Pak for the Apple ][

re-release

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 173

Lisa (2.5) for the Apple ][

re-release

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 163

Lisa Educational Pak for the Apple ][

compilation of updated version of Lisa with Speed/ASM, along with Hyde’s book

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 183

Lunar Leeper

(also referred to as Lunar Leepers) (developed by Charles “Chuckles” Bueche for the Apple ][)

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 193; Softalk Vol. 3, No. 4, pg. 148

Marauder for the Apple ][

re-release

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 175

Mouskattack for the Apple ][ and Atari 400/800

re-release

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 197

Pegasus ][ for the Apple ][

re-release

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 177

Pest Patrol

developed by Mark Allen for the Apple ][

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 21, 145; 149-150

Sabotage for the Apple ][

re-release

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 171

Screenwriter ][ for the Apple ][

re-release

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 179

Screenwriter ][ Professional for the Apple ][

re-release

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 181

Softporn Adventure for the Apple ][ and Atari 400/800

re-release – disk labels only would be replaced with the Sierra On-Line logo

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 199

Time Zone (Hi-Res Adventure #5) for the Apple ][

re-release – disk labels only would be replaced with the Sierra On-Line logo

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 155

Threshold for the Apple ][ and Atari 400/800

re-release

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 191

Sierra announces End Game, a software tool that helps create adventure games, for the price of $29.95; however, this software is eventually canceled

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 161

Sierra announces a port of Crossfire for the US NEC; however, this port is eventually canceled

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 159

c. November

Crossfire

ported by Frank Randak to IBM PC

Softalk for IBM Vol. 1, No. 6, pg. 7; Softalk Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 159

The General Manager

(Version 2.0) (updated version of Paul Malachowski’s and Kevin Cooper’s General Manager for the Apple ][)

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 3, back cover

Marauder

ported by Rorke Weigandt for the Atari VCS/2600 and published by TigerVision through a license from On-Line Systems

Electronic Games, September 1982, pg. 9; Electronic Games, October 1982, pg. 36

Ultima II: The Revenge of the Enchantress

developed by Richard “Lord British” Garriott for the Apple ][

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 4, pg. 148; Softalk Vol. 3, No. 5, pg. 249; Computer Gaming World Vol. 2, No. 6, pg. 24

Sierra licenses Starcraft to produce and market their software in Japan

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 4, pg. 280; Softalk for IBM Vol. 1, No. 7, pg. 4

c. December

Jawbreaker (All New Version, also called Jawbreaker II) (a completely different version of John Harris’ Jawbreaker developed by Charles “Chuckles” Bueche for the Atari 400/800 (disk, cassette, and cartridge) and the Apple ][)

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 5, pg. 138; Softalk Vol. 3, No. 6, back cover; Softline Vol. 2, No. 5, pg. 26

1983

c. January

Golf Challenge

developed by Harold Schwab for the Atari 400/800

Compute, No. 32, pg. 148; Analog Computing No. 10, inside back cover; Computer Gaming World Vol. 3, No. 1, pg. 8

Hi-Res Adventure #6: The Dark Crystal

developed by Roberta Williams & Chris Iden for the Apple ][ through a license with the Jim Henson Company

Hackers, pg. 357; Softalk Vol. 3, No. 4, pg. 110; Software Merchandising, January 1983, pg. 12; Infoworld, January 24, 1983, pg. 10

Softalk magazine buys Softline magazine from Sierra

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 5, pg. 46

Sierra and Apple sponsor “The Personal Computer Show” for the Satellite Program Network. The show is a 'video magazine' utilizing demonstrations and interviews to illustrate different applications and benefits of personal computers. News, business, education, games, and weekly feature segments spotlight new products and developments in the industry

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 5, pg. 46

c. February

Crossfire

ported by Doug Whittaker for the Commodore Vic-20 cassette and the International Computer Group (ICG) for the Commodore Vic-20 cartridge

Creative Computing Vol. 9, No. 2, pg. 55; Compute, No. 39, pg. 89; Electronic Fun with Computers and Games Vol. 1, No. 8, pg. 90

EPF Four

re-release of EPF IV

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 6, pg. 57

c. March

Marauder

ported by Rorke Weingandt and Eric Hammond for the Atari 400/800

Softline Vol. 2, No. 4, pg. 50; Computer Gaming World Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 25

Mouskattack (port by Dick Taylor of the Apple ][ version for the IBM PC)

Softalk for IBM Vol. 1, No. 10, pg. 71; PC Magazine Vol. 1, No. 11, pg. 86

WallWar

developed by Peter Oliphant for the Atari 400/800

Hackers, pg. 282-284; Softline Vol. 2, No. 4, pg. 42, 60; Creative Computing Vol. 9, No. 3, pg. 58

Night Flight

(developed by Eric Hammond for the Apple ][) is mentioned to be an upcoming new release by Sierra in an ad for Calsoft Software; however, this game was published through the pirate market. As such, Sierra canceled the release

Softline Vol. 2, No. 4, pg. 9; ST.Game (Softline) Vol. 3, No. 3, pg. 56; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV3qPU0SPRI; per conversation with John Williams – Sierra had developed the game, but it was eventually released on the pirate market

Sierra announces ports of Hi Res Adventure #6: The Dark Crystal for the Commodore 64 and IBM PC; however, these ports are eventually canceled

Creative Computing Vol. 9, No. 3, pg. 174; Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 5, pg. 70

c. April

Sierra acquires the rights to the games developed by the company Sunnyside Soft, with the intent on entering the educational market

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 8, pg. 227

Bop-A-Bet

developed independently by Margaret & Al Lowe and Michael & Ray MacChesney for the Apple ][ and originally released under the company Sunnyside Soft, this game was published by Sierra On-Line after it acquired Sunnyside Soft

Software Merchandising, May 1983, pg. 36

Dragon’s Keep

(developed independently by Margaret & Al Lowe and Michael & Ray MacChesney for the Apple ][ and originally released under the company Sunnyside Soft, this game was published by Sierra On-Line after it acquired Sunnyside Soft) The Official Frogger (ported by Olaf Lubeck for the IBM PC and by Chuck Benton for the Commodore 64 (disk and cassette))

Software Merchandising, May 1983, pg. 36

Softalk for IBM Vol. 2, No. 1; Softalk for IBM Vol. 1, No. 11, pg. 107; PC Magazine Vol. 1, No. 12, pg. 61; Software Merchandising, May 1983, pg. 47; Creative Computing Vol. 9, No. 6, pg. 46; Compute, No. 36, pg. 69

Box art: Hi-Res Adventure #0: Mission: Asteroid (ミッションアステロイド)

Hi-Res Adventure #0: Mission: Asteroid (ミッションアステロイド)

ported by Starcraft for the PC-6001 and PC-8801/9801/9801F in Japan

I/O アイ・オー 1983年04月号 (I/O Magazine, April 1983), pg. 389

Box art: Hi-Res Adventure #1: Mystery House (ミステリーハウス)

Hi-Res Adventure #1: Mystery House (ミステリーハウス)

ported by Starcraft for the PC-6601 and PC-8801/9801/9801F (5” and 8” disks) in Japan

I/O アイ・オー 1983年04月号 (I/O Magazine, April 1983), pg. 389

Lunar Leeper

ported by Kevin Hunt for the Atari 400/800

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 8, back cover; Creative Computing Vol. 3, No. 5, pg. 19

c. May

Crossfire

ported by Chuck Benton for the Commodore 64

Software Merchandising, May 1983, pg. 47; Creative Computing Vol. 3, No. 6, pg. 46; Compute, No. 36, pg. 69

Crossfire (クロスファイアー)

ported by Starcraft for the PC-8001/PC-8801/PC 8001 mk II in Japan

I/O アイ・オー 1983年05月号 (I/O Magazine, May 1983), pg. 572; Technopolis (テクノポリス) Sept. 1983, pg. 97-99

Hi-Res Adventure #2: Wizard and the Princess (ウィザードアンドプリンセス)

ported by Starcraft for the PC-8801/PC 9801/9801F (5” and 8” disks) in Japan

I/O アイ・オー 1983年05月号 (I/O Magazine, May 1983), pg. 572

Jawbreaker (port of all new version of Jawbreaker by Doug Whittaker for the Commodore 64 disk)

Software Merchandising, May 1983, pg. 47; Creative Computing Vol. 3, No. 6, pg. 46; Compute, No. 36, pg. 69; Electronic Games, No. 15, pg. 15

Troll’s Tale

developed independently by Margaret & Al Lowe and Michael & Ray MacChesney for the Apple ][, the game was published by Sierra On-Line after it acquired Sunnyside Soft

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 8, pg. 227 (Troll’s Tale was not released as of the April issue); Software Merchandising, May 1983, pg. 36; Softalk Vol. 3, No. 9, pg. 72-73

Sierra announces a port of Jawbreaker (all new version) for the ColecoVision; however, this port is eventually canceled (a homebrew edition of a port for this version was released through CollectorVision in 2016)

Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 5, pg. 80; CollectorVision Games - https://www.collectorvision.com/games/jawbreaker2.php

Sierra announces a port of Jawbreaker (all new version) for the IBM PC; however, this port is eventually canceled

Software Merchandising, May 1983, pg. 47; Electronic Games, No. 15, pg. 15; Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 5, pg. 70

Sierra announces cassette and disk versions of Jawbreaker (all new version) for the Commodore Vic-20; however, these versions are eventually canceled

Softline Vol. 2, No. 5, pg. 26; Antic Vol. 2, No. 6, back cover

Starcraft announces a port of Wizard and the Princess the PC-6001; however, this port is eventually canceled

I/O アイ・オー 1983年05月号 (I/O Magazine, May 1983), pg. 572; Login (ログイン), January 1984, pg. 223

c. June

Ken writes the book Apple II Computer Graphics with the help of Bob & Lisa Kernaghan

Softline Vol. 2, No. 4, pg. 29

Sierra announces plans to develop Frogger, Lunar Leeper, and Learning with Leeper to the Unitronics Sonic Home Computer; however, these ports are eventually scrapped when the computer is never produced

Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 3, pg. 44

c. July

Apple Cider Spider

developed by Ivan Strand for the Apple ][

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 11, back cover; Softalk Vol. 4, No. 1, pg. 177; Computer Gaming World Vol. 3, No. 4, pg. 8

Creepy Corridors (an updated port of Charles “Chuckles” Bueche’s Creepy Corridors from his Laf Pak, the port was developed by Don McGlaflin for the Commodore Vic-20)

Creative Computing Vol. 9, No. 7, pg. 5; Compute, No. 38, pg. 78

Flip N Match

developed by Doug Whittaker for the Commodore Vic-20

Creative Computing Vol. 9, No. 7, pg. 5; Compute, No. 38, pg. 78

The Official Frogger (an updated two-player version of Harris’ Atari 400/800 game by Chuck Benton released for disk and cassette)

I’m unable to find specific articles that discuss this updated version. This date is selected based on conjecture from the article discussing this from Retro365: https://retro365.blog/2023/02/01/bits-from-my-personal-collection-frogger-finally-an-officially-licensed-game/

Learning with Leeper

developed by Nancy Anderton for the Apple ][

Software Merchandising, May 1983, pg. 36; Softalk Vol. 3, No. 11, pg. 18-19; Creative Computing Vol. 9, No. 8, pg. 159

Sammy Lightfoot

developed by Warren Schwader for the Apple ][

Softalk Vol. 3, No. 9, pg. 9; Softalk Vol. 4, No. 1, pg. 307; Infoworld Vol. 5, No. 35, pg. 22

Ultima: Escape from Mt. Drash

developed by Keith Zabalaoui with permission of the Ultima title from Richard “Lord British” Garriott for the Commodore Vic-20

Creative Computing Vol. 9, No. 7, pg. 5; Compute, No. 38, pg. 78

Ultima II: The Revenge of the Enchantress

ported by Charles “Chuckles” Bueche for the Atari 400/800

Antic Vol. 2, No. 4, pg. 88; Computer Gaming World Vol. 3, No. 4, pg. 26; Softside, No. 59, pg. 68

Sierra announces a port of Apple Cider Spider for the Atari 400/800; however, this port is eventually canceled

Analog Computing No. 12, inside back cover; Analog Computing No. 13, pg. 17

Sierra announces intent to develop software for the MSX; however, no games are released for this system. Several games are licensed to other developers for this system in Japan and Europe

Infoworld, July 11, 1983, pg. 6; Softalk Vol. 4, No. 7, pg. 208

c. August

Cannonball Blitz

ported by the International Computer Group (ICG) for the Commodore Vic-20

Compute, No. 39, pg. 89; Electronic Games Vol. 2, No. 6, pg. 75; Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 6, pg. 93

Jawbreaker II

ported by Doug Whittaker for the Commodore Vic-20

Softline Vol. 2, No. 5, pg. 26

Box art: Jawbreaker II for Apple ][, Atari 400/800 (disk, cassette, and catridge), and Commodore 64 (disk and cartridge)

Jawbreaker II for Apple ][, Atari 400/800 (disk, cassette, and catridge), and Commodore 64 (disk and cartridge)

re-release of Jawbreaker – All New Version

Softline Vol. 2, No. 5, pg. 26

Hi-Res Adventure #1: Mystery House (ミステリーハウス)

ported by Starcraft for the PC-8001 mk II and FM-7/8/11 in Japan

Hi-Res Adventure #2: Wizard and the Princess (ウィザードアンドプリンセス)

ported by Starcraft for the PC-8001 mk II and FM-7/8 in Japan

Lunar Leeper

ported by the International Computer Group (ICG) for the Commodore Vic-20

Compute, No. 39, pg. 89; Electronic Games Vol. 2, No. 6, pg. 75; Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 6, pg. 93

Lunar Leeper for Apple ][ and Atari 400/800

re-release

Conjecture based on the new box for the Vic-20 version; Softline Vol. 3, No. 1, pg. 18; Creative Computing Vol. 9, No. 12, pg. 72; Compute, No. 43, pg. 180

Threshold

ported by the International Computer Group (ICG) for the Commodore Vic-20

Softline Vol. 3, No. 6, pg. 3; Compute, No. 39, pg. 89; Electronic Games Vol. 2, No. 6, pg. 75; Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 6, pg. 93

Sierra announces ports of Cannonball Blitz for the Atari 400/800 and Commodore 64; however, these ports eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 5, pg. 80

Sierra announces a port of Jawbreaker II for the Atari 5200; however, this port is eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 5, pg. 80

Sierra announces ports of Lunar Leeper for the IBM PC and ColecoVision; however, these ports are eventually canceled (a homebrew edition of the ColecoVision port was released through CollectorVision in 2019)

Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 5, pg. 70, 80; CollectorVision Games - https://www.collectorvision.com/games/lunarleeper.php

c. September

Apple Cider Spider

ported by R.B. “Stu” Stuart for the Commodore 64 disk

Creative Computing Vol. 9, No. 9, pg. 180; Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 7, pg. 112

Golf Challenge

ported by an unknown developer for the IBM PC

PC Magazine Vol. 2, No. 4, pg. 577; Computer Gaming World Vol. 3, No. 4, pgs. 30-32

Hi-Res Adventure #0: Mission: Asteroid (ミッションアステロイド)

ported by Starcraft for the PC-8001 mk II and FM-7/8/11 in Japan

Hi-Res Adventure #6: The Dark Crystal

ported by Chris Iden for the Atari 400/800

Softalk Vol. 4, No. 1, pg. 10; Creative Computing Vol. 9, No. 10, pg. 165; Analog Computing No. 13, pg. 17; Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 6, pg. 91

Mr. Cool

developed by Peter Oliphant for the Atari 400/800 and Commodore 64

Antic Vol. 2, No. 6, back cover; Analog Computing No. 13, pg. 17; Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 5, pg. 76; Softline Vol. 2, No. 6, pg. 42-43; Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 7, pg. 121

Sierra announces a disk version for Mr. Cool for the Atari 400/800; however, this version is eventually canceled

Softline Vol. 2, No. 6, pg. 43

Sierra announces a port of The Official Frogger for the ColecoVision; however, this port is instead published by Parker Brothers

Electronic Fun with Computers and Games Vol. 1, No. 11, pg. 96; Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 5, pg. 80

Sierra announces ports of Sammy Lightfoot for the Atari 400/800 and Commodore Vic-20; however, these ports are eventually canceled

Creative Computing Vol. 9, No. 9, pg.80; Analog Computing No. 13, pg. 17; Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 5, pg. 80

Sierra announces educational, comic strip-based games from Sydney Development Corporation for all systems, to include Wiz-World, Wiz-Lab, Wiz-Spell, Dot to Dot Zot, and Bung Juggler however, these releases are eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 6, pg. 94; Videogaming and Computer Gaming Illustrated, Oct. 83, pg. 8; Video Games Vol. 2, No. 3, pg. 16

c. October

HomeWord

developed by Jeff Stephenson and Ken Williams with help from Target Technologies for the Apple ][

Sierra Standard Stock Report, 1989 - https://www.sierragamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/1989_xx_Sierra_On-Line_Standard_OTC_Stock_Report.pdf; PC World, June 1984, pg. 91; Softalk Vol. 4, No. 3, back cover; Softalk Vol. 4, No. 4, pg. 342; Softalk Vol. 4, No. 5, pg. 265-272; Creative Computing Vol. 9, No. 12, pg. 341; Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 9, pg. 142

Oil’s Well

developed by Thomas Mitchell for the Atari 400/800 disk

Softline Vol. 3, No. 1, pg. 3; Creative Computing Vol. 9, No. 12, pg. 134; Computer Gaming World Vol. 3, No. 6, pg. 11; Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 8, pg. 127, 128

c. November

BC’s Quest for Tires

originally developed by Michale Bate for the NABU personal computer, this game was ported by Chuck Benton with help from the Sydney Development Corporation for the Atari 400/800 disk and cartridge and by the Sydney Development Corporation for the ColecoVision through a license from B.C. comic creator Johnny Hart

Softline Vol. 3, No. 1, pg. 21; Computer Gaming World Vol. 3, No. 6, pg. 11, 35; Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 7, pg. 124; Creative Computing Vol. 9, No. 12, pg. 181; Electronic Fun with Computers and Games Vol. 2, No. 2, pg. 3; Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 9, pg. 133, 144; Commodore Magazine, March 1987, pg. 127; Retro365 - https://retro365.blog/2023/02/12/bits-from-my-personal-collection-b-c-s-quest-for-tires-an-obscure-futuristic-origin/

Box art: Hi-Res Adventure #3: Cranston Manor (クランストンマナー)

Hi-Res Adventure #3: Cranston Manor (クランストンマナー)

ported by Starcraft for the PC-8801/9801/9801F (5” and 8” disks), PC-8001 mk II, and FM-7/8 in Japan

Jawbreaker II (port of the all-new version by Dan Drew for the TI-99)

Softline Vol. 2, No. 5, pg. 26; Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 5; Infoworld, November 28, 1983, pg. 23

Learning with Leeper

ported by Bob “Bobbit” Heitman for the Atari 400/800 (disk and cartridge) and Commodore 64 (disk and cartridge)

Creative Computing Vol. 9, No. 11, pg. 54, 114; Computer Gaming World Vol. 3, No. 6, pg. 11; Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 9, pg. 130

Lunar Leeper

ported by the International Computer Group (ICG) for the Commodore 64 (disk and cartridge)

Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 9, pg. 130

Mr. Cool

ported by John Redekopp for the Apple ][

Softline Vol. 2, No. 6, pg. 43-44; Electronic Games, November 1983, pg. 95; Electronic Fun with Computer and Games Vol. 2, No. 1, pg. 75

Oil’s Well

ported by Thomas Mitchell for the Commodore 64 disk and the Atari 400/800 cartridge

Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 9, pg. 130

Sammy Lightfoot

ported by D. Creehan of the International Computer Group (ICG) for the Commodore 64 disk and cartridge

Creative Computing Vol. 9, No. 9, pg. 80; Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 9, pg. 144; Creative Computing Vol. 9, No. 11, pg. 102; Electronic Games, November 1983, pg. 66

Threshold

ported by the International Computer Group (ICG) for the Commodore 64 disk and cartridge

Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 9, pg. 130

Ultima 1: The Original (a port by Sigma Micro Systems of the original Apple ][ game created by Richard “Lord British” Garriott for the Atari 400/800 and published by Sierra On-Line)

Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 9, pg. 144; Computer Gaming World Vol. 2, No. 6, pg. 25

Sierra announces a cartridge version of Apple Cider Spider for the Commodore 64; however, this version is eventually canceled

Sierra On-Line Software Catalog, Fall/Winter 1983

Sierra announces ports of Apple Cider Spider for the Commodore Vic-20 and ColecoVision; however, these ports are eventually canceled

Softalk Vol. 4, No. 3, pg. 240; Creative Computing Vol. 9, No. 9, pg. 180

Sierra announces a port of Aquatron for the Commodore 64; however, this port is eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 9, pg. 144; Sierra On-Line Software Catalog, Fall/Winter 1983

Sierra announces a version of Crossfire for the TI-99/4A. In addition, a port of Mouskattack was also completed for this computer; however, due to TI’s withdrawal from the computer market, and despite the fact that these games were completed and playable, the evidence does not support that they were ever actually released

Infoworld, November 28, 1983, pg. 23; https://4apedia.com/index.php/Solid_State_Software_Command_Module; https://99er.net/rarity.html

Sierra announces ports of Creepy Corridors for the Atari 400/800 and Commodore 64 (disk and cartridge); however, these ports are eventually canceled

Compute, No. 42, pg. 111; Analog Computing No. 14, inside back cover; Antic Vol. 2, No. 6, back cover; Sierra On-line Software Catalog, Fall/Winter 1983

Sierra announces a cartridge version of Crossfire for the Commodore 64; however, this version is eventually canceled

Creative Computing Vol. 9, No. 11, pg. 136; Sierra On-Line Software Catalog, Fall/Winter 1983

Sierra announces a cassette version of The Official Frogger for the Commodore 64; however, this version is instead published by Parker Brothers

Sierra On-Line Software Catalog, Fall/Winter 1983

Sierra announces a port of Sammy Lightfoot for the IBM PC; however, this port is eventually canceled

Creative Computing Vol. 9, No. 11, pg. 102; Electronic Games, November 1983, pg. 66

c. December

Aquatron

developed by Justin Gray for the Apple ][

Computer Gaming World Vol. 4, No. 1, pg. 10, 48; Softalk, Vol. 4, No. 6, pg. 141-142; Softline, Vol. 3, No. 1, pg. 19; Softline, Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 2; Compute, No. 43, pg. 180

Dragon’s Keep

ported by Al Lowe for the Commodore 64

This release date is pure conjecture. I can find no contemporaneous evidence of the orange box Commodore 64 version of Dragon’s Keep (which clearly exists). The earliest references I can find are from around when the clamshell version released. I am putting this here for now. If anyone has any contemporaneous evidence to support a later release date, please share with me!

Homeword

ported by an unknown developer to the Commodore 64

Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 9, pg. 144; Infoworld, December 5, 1983, pg. 93; Creative Computing Vol. 9, No. 12; pg. 326

Hi-Res Adventure #0: Mission: Asteroid

ported by Bob “Bobbit” Heitman for the Commodore 64

Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 9, pg. 144

Hi-Res Adventure #6: The Dark Crystal for the Atari 400/800

re-release

Conjecture based on the updated box for Mission Asteroid that also launched this month; however, I cannot find any specific contemporaneous evidence concerning this updated box

The Official Frogger

ported by an unknown developer for the Commodore Vic-20 cassette

Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 9, pg. 144

Oil’s Well

ported by Thomas Mitchell for the Commodore 64 cartridge

Softline Vol. 3, No. 1, pg. 3; Creative Computing Vol. 9, No. 12, pg. 134; Computer Gaming World Vol. 3, No. 6, pg. 11

Sierra announces ports of Bop-A-Bet for the Atari 400/800 and Commodore 64; however, these ports are eventually canceled

Compute, No. 43, pg. 364

Sierra announces ports of Bop-A-Bet, Dragon’s Keep, Learning with Leeper, and Troll’s Tale for the Commodore Vic-20; however, these ports are eventually canceled

Compute, No. 43, pg. 364

Sierra announces an adventure game based on the comic strip Family Circus designed by Roberta Williams; however, this game is eventually canceled

Family Computing Vol. 1, No. 4, pg. 66, 69; Softalk Vol. 4, No. 5, pg. 123; PC Magazine Vol. 4, No. 15, pg. 45

Sierra announces an ice-themed arcade game called Snokie, a property they acquired from Funsoft, for the Atari 400/800; however, this game is eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 9, pg. 144; Creative Computing Vol. 10, No. 4, pg. 146

1984

c. January

Crossfire

ported by Jay Sullivan for the PCjr and published by IBM

Infoworld, February 20, 1984, pg. 14; Softalk for IBM Vol. 2, No. 8, pg. 155; Video and Computer Gaming Illustrated, Jan. 84, pg.37; PCjr Magazine Vol. 1, No. 1, pg. 88; Note: This game was completed in August 1983; however, due to the delay of the PCjr’s launch, the game was not physically released until January 13, 1984 (the earliest date that the PCjr was shipped to dealers per the above referenced Infoworld issue)

Hi-Res Adventure #2: Wizard and the Princess (ウィザードアンドプリンセス)

ported by Starcraft for the FM-11 in Japan

Box art: Hi-Res Adventure #4: Ulysses and the Golden Fleece (ユリシーズ)

Hi-Res Adventure #4: Ulysses and the Golden Fleece (ユリシーズ)

developed by Starcraft for the PC 8801/9801/9801F (5” and 8” disks), PC-8001 mk II, and the FM-7/8 in Japan

Homeword

ported by an unknown developer for the IBM PCjr and published by IBM

Infoworld, February 20, 1984, pg. 14; Softalk for IBM Vol. 2, No. 8, pg. 156; Video and Computer Gaming Illustrated, Jan. 84, pg. 18-19; PCjr Magazine Vol. 1, No. 1, pg. 76-79; This software was completed in September 1983 (per the manual); however, due to the delay of the PCjr’s launch, the software was not physically released until January 13, 1984 (the earliest date that the PCjr was shipped to dealers per the above referenced Infoworld issue)

Mine Shaft (a port of Creepy Corridors redone with a space theme by John Redekopp for the IBM PCjr and published by IBM)

Infoworld, February 20, 1984, pg. 14; Softalk for IBM Vol. 2, No. 8, pg. 155; Video and Computer Gaming Illustrated, Jan. 84, pg. 37; PCjr Magazine Vol. 1, No. 1, pg. 89-90; Note: This game was completed in August 1983 (per the manual); however, due to the delay of the PCjr’s launch, the game was not physically released until January 13, 1984 (the earliest date that the PCjr was shipped to dealers per the above referenced Infoworld issue)

Sierra attempts to market software for the Coleco Adam computer; however, stores refuse to stock the software due to the inventory risk. Reports show Sierra was working on at least 9 programs for the Adam (including Troll’s Tale, The Official Frogger, Prisoner, Dragon’s Keep, Sierra Championship Boxing, The Wizard of Id’s WizType, and Jawbreaker II) that are never released

Infoworld, January 23, 1984, pg. 82; Infoworld, November 12, 1984, pg. 21; Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 11, pg. 176; Computer Entertainer Vol. 3, No. 1, pg. 8

Sierra announces Alf Arithmetic and Alf Alphabet for the Atari 400/800; however, these games are eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 10, pg. 151

Sierra announces HomeWord Finance and HomeWord Tax to be available for late 1984/early 1985; however, these software titles are eventually canceled

Creative Computing Vol. 10, No. 4, pg. 147; PCjr Magazine Vol. 1, No. 3, pg. 119

Sierra announces ports of Jawbreaker II and The Official Frogger for the IBM PCjr; however, these ports are eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 10, pg. 151

Sierra announces The Prisoner strategy game based on the cult classic TV series for the Apple ][; however, this game is eventually canceled

Commodore Power Play Volume III, No. 1, pg. 20; Creative Computing Vol. 10, No. 5, pg. 146; Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 10, pg. 151

c. February

Box art: Hi-Res Adventure #6: The Dark Crystal (ダーククリスタル)

Hi-Res Adventure #6: The Dark Crystal (ダーククリスタル)

ported by Starcraft for the PC-8801/9801/9801F (5” and 8” disks), and FM-7/8 in Japan

I/O アイ・オー 1984年02月号 (I/O Magazine, February 1984), pg. 163

Ultima II: The Revenge of the Enchantress

ported by Jay Sullivan for the IBM PC and PCjr

Softalk for IBM Vol. 2, No. 11, pg. 165, 192; K-Power, February 1984, pg. 29

Sierra announces five educational programs for the TI-99/4A that feature Disney characters, to include Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, Pinocchio, and Professor Ludwig Von Drake; however, these releases are eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 11, pg. 164

c. March

Aquatron

ported by Justin Gray for the Atari 400/800

Softline Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 2; Computer Entertainer Vol. 3, No. 1, pg. 2

Cannonball Blitz

ported by James “JLando” Landowski for the TI-99/4A under a license from Sierra On-line

There is no contemporaneous evidence regarding this release, but there is evidence to support that it was released – it was NOT a physical release that was sold in stores; however, it WAS sold through the Romox Edge Connector Programmable Cartridge (ECPC) system, which means customers could take a blank cartridge into a store and download the ROMs directly onto a blank cartridge from a remote terminal - https://99er.net/rarity.html; The date is unclear, but the Romox games were available in late 1983/early 1984 per https://4apedia.com/index.php/Solid_State_Software_Command_Module

Oil’s Well

ported by Ivan Strand for the Apple ][ and Don McGlauflin for the ColecoVision

Computer Entertainer Vol. 3, No. 1, pg. 13, 16; Creative Computing Vol. 10, No. 5, pg. 129; Softline Vol. 4, No. 10, pg. 115

Sammy Lightfoot

ported by an unknown developer for the ColecoVision

Computer Entertainer Vol. 3, No. 1, pg. 16

Screenwriter ][ with The Dictionary (combo pack for the Apple ][ featuring the Dictionary with Screenwriter ][)

Creative Computing Vol. 10, No. 3, pg. 199; Softalk Vol. 4, No. 8, pg. 178

Ultima II: The Revenge of the Enchantress

ported by Bob “Bobbit” Heitman for the Commodore 64

Computer Entertainer Vol. 3, No. 1, pg. 4, 16

Box art: Ultima II: The Revenge of the Enchantress for the Apple ][, Atari 400/800, and IBM PC/PCjr

Ultima II: The Revenge of the Enchantress for the Apple ][, Atari 400/800, and IBM PC/PCjr

re-release

Conjecture based on the update of the box for the Commodore version, logically Sierra would continue to market these versions under the new box

c. April

BC’s Quest for Tires

ported by Justin Gray for the Apple ][ and Chuck Benton for the Commodore 64 disk and cartridge

Computer Entertainer Vol. 3 No. 1, pg. 10, 16; Computer Entertainer Vol. 3, No. 9, pg. 129; Compute Vol. 6, No. 4, pg. 99

Homeword

ported by an unknown developer for the Atari 400/800

Compute Vol. 6, No. 4, pg. 155

Sierra announces a port of Homeword Filer for the Commodore 64; however, this port is eventually canceled

Creative Computing Vol. 10, No. 4, pg. 132; Family Computing Vol. 3, No. 3, pg. 76; Although Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 2, pg. 14 notes that this software shipped in June 1985, the contemporaneous evidence does not actually support that it exists. Furthermore, this port is not listed on any Sierra Warranty Registration order form from 1985-1986, which indicates that it more than likely did not actually release

Sierra announces a port of Dragon’s Keep for the IBM PCjr; however, this port is eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 3, No. 1, pg. 6

Sierra announces a port of Learning with Fuzzywomp for the Commodore 64; however, this port is eventually canceled

Creative Computing Vol. 10, No. 4, pg. 156

c. May

Sierra Championship Boxing

developed by Dave and Barry Murry for the IBM PC/PCjr

Infoworld, June 25, 1984, pg. 38; Creative Computing Vol. 10, No. 6, pg. 162; Family Computing Vol. 2, No. 6, pg. 85

Learning with Leeper

ported by Monier for the ColecoVision

Computer Entertainer Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 29

Mr. Cool

ported by John Redekopp for the IBM PC/PCjr

Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 10, pg. 151; Antic Vol. 2, No. 9, back cover (this date is somewhat conjecture – The IBM PC/PCjr version did release, but it’s unclear of the exact release date, other than the first half of the year. I am placing it here as Sierra updated their logo the following month)

Threshold

ported by an unknown developer for the ColecoVision

Computer Entertainer Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 28

Sierra announces a port of Sierra Championship Boxing for the Atari 400/800; however, this port is eventually canceled

Creative Computing Vol. 10, No. 6, pg. 162

c. June

Dragon’s Keep

ported by Dave Scruton for the Atari 400/800

This release month is purely speculative. The Atari reviews for this game did not appear until November 1984; however, based on the clamshell, it logically should have been released prior to Sierra changing their logo. It is placed here unless clearer evidence supports a later release date

Dragon’s Keep for the Apple ][ and Commodore 64

re-release

Ahoy, July 1984, pg. 66; Conjecture based on the updated boxes for the other Hi-Res Learning games which launched this month

Hi-Res Adventure #2: Wizard and the Princess

ported by Jeff Stephenson for the IBM PCjr and Doug Whittaker for the Commodore 64

Softalk for IBM Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 126; I’m unable to find any contemporaneous reviews of the Commodore version of this game; however, it is probable that they released around the same time as the PCjr versions. Third party ads for the Commodore first start listing this software this month

Hi-Res Adventure #4: Ulysses and the Golden Fleece

ported by Jeff Stephenson for the IBM PCjr and Bob “Bobbit” Heitman for the Commodore 64

Homeword

ported by an unknown developer for the IBM PC

Family Computing Vol. 2, No. 6, pg. 46

HomeWord Speller

developed by Al Lowe for the Apple ][

Softalk Vol. 4, No. 11, pg. 89; Creative Computing, Vol. 10, No. 4, pg. 147 (the Softalk article notes that this shipped a few weeks after Bank Street Writer, which was released in May 1984 per pg. 128 of that same issue of Softalk)

Learning with Fuzzywomp

developed by Mike McKee and Martin Shen for the Apple ][

Creative Computing Vol. 10, No. 4, pg. 156; Softalk Vol. 4, No. 12, pg. 67, 91

Box art: Learning with Leeper for the Apple ][, Atari 400/800 (disk and cartridge), and Commodore 64 disk and cartridge

Learning with Leeper for the Apple ][, Atari 400/800 (disk and cartridge), and Commodore 64 disk and cartridge

re-release

Family Computing Vol. 2, No. 7, pg. 27

Oil’s Well

ported by John Rinck for the IBM PC/PCjr

Computer Games Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 41; Infoworld, August 13, 1984, pg. 38

Story Maker

developed by Bob “Bobbit” Heitman for the Apple ][ and the Commodore 64

Creative Computing Vol. 10, No. 4, pg. 156; Softalk Vol. 4, No. 12, pg. 93-94

Troll’s Tale

ported by Dave Scruton for the Atari 400/800, Al Lowe for the Commodore 64, and Peter Oliphant for the IBM PC/PCjr

Analog No. 24, pg. 10-11, Antic Vol. 3, No. 7, pg. 25; Compute’s Gazette Vol. 2, No. 12, pg. 84; Softalk for IBM Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 126 (this release month is purely speculative. The Atari reviews for this game did not appear until November 1984 and the Commodore review did not appear until December; however, based on the clamshell, it logically should have been released prior to Sierra changing their logo. It is placed here unless clearer evidence supports a later release date)

Troll’s Tale for the Apple ][

re-release

Conjecture based on the updated boxes for the other Hi-Res Learning games which launched this month; also, this game was reviewed by Computer Gaming World this month, which may indicate their review of the new box (Computer Gaming World Vol. 4, No. 3, pg. 36)

The Wizard of Id’s WizType

developed by the Sydney Development Corporation for the Commodore 64 (disk and cartridge) and Ken Williams and Chuck Benton for the Apple ][ through a license from Wizard of Id comic creator Johnny Hart and published by Sierra On-Line

Computer Gaming World Vol. 4, No. 3, pg. 42; Creative Computing Vol. 10, No. 4, pg. 156; Computer Entertainer Vol. 3, No. 3, pg. 36, 37; Softalk Vol. 4, No. 11, pg. 68, 86

The Wizard of Id’s WizType

ported by Frank Randak for the IBM PC/PCjr and the Sydney Development Corporation of the Atari 400/800

Softalk for IBM Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 125-126; the Atari date is conjecture, as this version released prior to Sierra updating their logo; however, there are no formal reviews of the Atari version until the updated logo was in circulation

Sierra On-Line drops the “On-Line” title from their games, now only going by Sierra

Softalk Vol. 4, No. 11, pg. 89; Computer Entertainer Vol. 3, No. 4, pg. 52

King’s Quest

Sierra Standard Stock Report, 1989 - https://www.sierragamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/1989_xx_Sierra_On-Line_Standard_OTC_Stock_Report.pdf; Infoworld, July 16, 1984, pg. 16; Compute’s Gazette, No. 12, pg. 20, Enter, May 1984, pg. 11, Computer Entertainer Vol. 3, No. 4, pg. 54

c. July

Sierra secures another two million dollars in venture capital, allowing them to contract with Disney Studios to create a series of games based on Disney properties

Infoworld, November 5, 1984, pg. 17

Sierra announces ports of B.C. II: Grog’s Revenge for the Apple ][, PC/PCjr, Commodore 64 cartridge, and Atari 400/800 cartridge; however, these ports are eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 3, No. 4, pg. 54; ROM Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 7, pg. 12; Analog Computing No. 23, pg. 13; Run Magazine, December 1984, pg. 212; Computer Entertainer Vol. 3, No. 9, pg. 144

Sierra announces a port of B.C. II: Grog’s Revenge for the ColecoVision; however, this port is eventually independently published by the Sydney Development Company

Computer Entertainer Vol. 3, No. 4, pg. 54

Sierra announces ports of Stunt Flyer for the Apple ][, IBM PC/PCjr, Atari 400/800, and ColecoVision; however, these ports are eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 3, No. 4, pg. 54, K-Power Magazine, July/August 1984, pg. 12, ROM Magazine Vol. 1, No. 7, pg. 12

c. August

BC’s Quest for Tires

ported by Software Projects for the Commodore 64 cassette and the ZX Spectrum under a license from Sierra in the United Kingdom

Popular Computing Weekly Vol. 3, No. 42, pg. 5; Computer & Video Games, October 1984, pg. 29; PCW indicates that the Commodore 64 version was already available in August; however, C&VG seems to indicate that it was just made available in October. It is placed here unless a more concrete release is shown. Also, the article seems to indicate that the Spectrum release is coming soon, but doesn’t give a specific date either, nor could I find any review of the Spectrum release following. I have placed it here until a more concrete date is found

Box art: Homeword for the Apple ][, Commodore 64, and Atari 400/800

Homeword for the Apple ][, Commodore 64, and Atari 400/800

re-release

This is pure conjecture on these unusual releases of Homeword (if there even exists versions for the Apple ][ and Commodore in this clamshell…This logo is clearly after Sierra updated their logo; however, as noted below, Sierra would update this clamshell again to match the other Homeword software at least by December due to the Tandy releases that launched that month. I am putting these here for the time being unless evidence supports a different release date

King’s Quest

Infoworld, August 20, 1984, pg. 42 (article notes that IBM just published the PCjr version, and implies that this version is AFTER the IBM PC version); PCjr Magazine Vol. 1, No. 8, pg. 66; IBM Personal Computer Catalog, Winter 1984/1985, pg. 28 – it is *possible* that this release came in late July 1984

Sierra announces a port of Story Maker for the Atari 400/800; however, this port is eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 2, No. 5, pg. 66; Computer Gaming World Vol. 4. No. 4, pg. 7

Sierra announces a port of The Wizard of Id’s WizMath for the Atari 400/800; however, this port is eventually canceled

ROM Magazine Vol. 1, No. 7, pg. 12; Analog Computing No. 23, pg. 13

c. September

King’s Quest for the IBM PCjr

re-release

The only difference between this version and the original is that the copyright is changed to 1984, and instead of a full keyboard overlay, there is only an overlay that went at the bottom of the keyboard, as the IBM PCjr keyboard was revised in late July 1984 (Compute Vol. 6, No. 10, pg. 50). This date is conjecture, as it may have released as early as August once the preliminary boxes of King’s Quest were sold out

Learning with Leeper for the Apple ][, Atari 400/800 (disk and cartridge), and Commodore 64 (disk and cartridge)

re-release

Run Magazine, September 1984, pg. 30 (the Commodore version is shown with the “Sierra” box in this issue of Run; however, it is logical to presume that all versions of this game were available under the new box)

c. October

The Official Frogger

ported by Kevin VanAllen Hunt for the Mac

Computer Entertainer Vol. 3, No. 7, pg. 108; Computer Games Vol. 3, No. 4, pg. 56; MacWorld, September/October 1984, pg. 123

The Official Frogger for the IBM PC and a combined Commodore 64 &Atari 400/800

re-release

Conjecture based on the new box for the Mac release, which released this month. It’s unclear if the Apple ][ version was also released in this box. I have not found any evidence to support an Apple ][ release for this box

Box art: The Wizard of Id’s WizType for the Commodore 64 (disk and cartridge), Atari 400/800, Apple ][, and IBM PC/PCjr

The Wizard of Id’s WizType for the Commodore 64 (disk and cartridge), Atari 400/800, Apple ][, and IBM PC/PCjr

re-release

Run Magazine, October 1984, pg. 160; Electronic Games, November 1984, pg. 50; Creative Computing Vol. 10, No. 8, pg. 179; Compute Vol. 6, No. 11, pg. 131

Sierra announces Goofy’s Word Factory for the Commodore 64, IBM PC, and Apple ][ computers; however, this game is eventually canceled

Infoworld, November 5, 1984, pg. 17; Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 2, pg. 10, Ahoy, September 1985, pg. 9; Commodore Magazine, March 1987, pg. 127

Sierra announces a port of Homeword Filer, a combo pack of Homeword Writer and Filer, as well as a triple pack of Homeword Writer, Speller, and Filer for the Atari 400/800; however, this port is eventually canceled

Analog Computing No. 23, pg. 13

Sierra announces HomeWord Typer and HomeWord Gardener as additions to the HomeWord line to appear in 1985; however, these releases are eventually canceled

Analog Computing No. 23, pg. 13

Sierra announces The Wizard of Id’s Wiztricity for the Atari 400/800; however, this game is eventually canceled

Analog Computing No. 23, pg. 13

Sierra announces a cartridge version of The Wizard of Id’s WizType for the Atari 400/800; however, this version is eventually canceled

Analog Computing No. 23, pg. 13

Ken Williams notes in an article that Sierra designed a diet and exercise system; however, the project is eventually canceled

Creative Computing Vol. 10, No. 11, pg. 243

c. November

BC’s Quest for Tires for the Atari 400/800 (disk and cartridge), ColecoVision, Commodore 64 (disk and cartridge), and Apple ][ (re-release)

Electronic Games, November 1984, pg. 9 (conjecture based on the article noting that Sierra had replaced all their boxes with the new logo – this release may have been earlier)

Box art: Dragon’s Keep for the Apple ][, Commodore 64, and Atari 400/800

Dragon’s Keep for the Apple ][, Commodore 64, and Atari 400/800

re-release

Electronic Games, November 1984, pg. 9 (conjecture based on the article noting that Sierra had replaced all their boxes with the new logo – this release may have been earlier)

King’s Quest

ported by Jeff Stephenson for the Apple ][

Computer Entertainer Vol. 3, No. 8, pg. 128

Learning with Fuzzywomp for the Apple ][

re-release

Electronic Games, November 1984, pg. 9 (conjecture based on the article noting that Sierra had replaced all their boxes with the new logo). There is no evidence of a “Sierra” boxed version of Fuzzywomp; however, the Sierra order forms from 1985 still listed Fuzzywomp as an available game, so it is logical to presume that a Sierra boxed version exists as well

Oil’s Well for the Atari 400/800 (disk and cartridge), Commodore 64 (disk and cartridge), Apple ][, IBM PC/PCjr, and ColecoVision (re-release)

Electronic Games, November 1984, pg. 9 (conjecture based on the article noting that Sierra had replaced all their boxes with the new logo – this release may have been earlier)

Sierra Championship Boxing for the IBM PC/PCjr

re-release

Computer Entertainer Vol. 3, No. 9, pg. 144; Electronic Games, November 1984, pg. 11, 48; PC Magazine Vol 3, No. 22, pg. 311-313

Story Maker for the Apple ][ and Commodore 64

re-release

Electronic Games, November 1984, pg. 9 (conjecture based on the article noting that Sierra had replaced all their boxes with the new logo – this release may have been earlier)

Box art: Troll’s Tale for the Apple ][, Commodore 64, IBM PC/PCjr, and Atari 400/800

Troll’s Tale for the Apple ][, Commodore 64, IBM PC/PCjr, and Atari 400/800

re-release

There is no photographic proof that I’m aware of that Troll’s Tale was re-released in a Sierra clamshell. There are Troll’s Tale manuals that have the updated Sierra logo, but I have yet to see an actual clamshell release. HOWEVER, it seems odd that every OTHER rainbow clamshell game would have been released in a Sierra clamshell and not this one, especially when reviews were still popping up as late as November 1984. I cannot guarantee that this version exists; however, I have placed it here in the off chance that if such a version DOES exist, that it would appear at this juncture

c. December

Box art: Ultima II: The Revenge of the Enchantress for the Apple ][, Atari 400/800, IBM PC/PCjr, and Commodore 64

Ultima II: The Revenge of the Enchantress for the Apple ][, Atari 400/800, IBM PC/PCjr, and Commodore 64

re-release

Electronic Games, November 1984, pg. 9 (conjecture based on the article noting that Sierra had replaced all their boxes with the new logo – this release may have been earlier)

BC’s Quest for Tires

ported by an unknown developer for the Tandy 1000 & IBM PC

Family Computing Vol. 2, No. 12, pg. 69; Radio Shack 1985 TRS-80 Computer Catalog, pg. 7

B.C. II: Grog’s Revenge

developed by Rick Banks of the Sydney Development Corporation for the Commodore 64 and published only by Sierra through a license from B.C. comic creator Johnny Hart

Run Magazine, December 1984, pg. 212

Homeword

updated version for the IBM PC/PCjr and Tandy 1000

Family Computing Vol. 2, No. 12, pg. 69; Radio Shack 1985 TRS-80 Computer Catalog, pg. 6

Homeword for the Apple ][, Commodore 64, and Atari 400/800

re-release

Again, pure conjecture based on the updated clamshell for the Tandy version; however, it is likely that these versions all shipped simultaneously

Homeword Filer

developed by unknown developer for the IBM PC/PCjr and Tandy 1000

Family Computing Vol. 2, No. 12, pg. 69; Radio Shack 1985 TRS-80 Computer Catalog, pg. 6

Homeword Speller

ported by Software Design Associates for the IBM PC/PCjr and Tandy 1000 and an unknown developer for the Commodore 64

Family Computing Vol. 2, No. 12, pg. 69, 105; Radio Shack 1985 TRS-80 Computer Catalog, pg. 6; Run Magazine, December 1984, pg. 133

Homeword Speller for the Apple ][

re-release

Conjecture based on the updated release of Homeword Speller for the other systems

Homeword Writer and Speller (combo pack of Homeword with Homeword Speller for the Apple ][, IBM PC/PCjr, and Commodore 64)

Run Magazine, December 1984, pg. 133 notes the Commodore version, but it’s likely all other versions were released at this time since those ports had already occurred

HomeWord Writer Speller Filer

compilation of HomeWord, HomeWord Speller, and HomeWord for the IBM PC/PCjr

Conjecture based on the release of Homeword Filer for IBM this month. I can’t find any evidence to show exactly when this three-pack released, but it was probably around this time based on the other releases of Homeword this month

King’s Quest for the Tandy 1000

re-release of IBM PC version

Family Computing Vol. 2, No. 12, pg. 69; Radio Shack 1985 TRS-80 Computer Catalog, pg. 7; due to the very poor contemporaneous evidence for support of the Tandy version, I cannot confirm that this release was as early as the advent of the Tandy 1000. It is put here with the other Tandy 1000 clamshells in the absence of evidence supporting a later release date

Learning with Leeper

ported by Ivan Strand for the Tandy 1000

Family Computing Vol. 2, No. 12, pg. 69; Radio Shack 1985 TRS-80 Computer Catalog, pg. 7

The Wizard of Id’s WizMath

developed by Sigma Development Group for the Commodore 64 and Sydney Development Corporation for the ColecoVision and Apple ][ and published by Sierra through a license from Wizard of Id comic creator Johnny Hart

I am unable to find any contemporaneous review or ad to support this release date. The game is copyright 1984, and it fits with the last gasp of Sierra’s early edutainment clamshell software of late 1984-early 1985. I am placing it here until a more concrete release date can be found

The Wizard of Id’s Wiztype

ported by Frank Randak for the Tandy 1000

Family Computing Vol. 2, No. 12, pg. 69; Radio Shack 1985 TRS-80 Computer Catalog, pg. 7 (technically the Tandy 1000 and IBM PC versions were virtually identical; however, this version was specifically published as Tandy only)

1985

c. January

Gelfling Adventure

developed by Al Lowe for the Apple ][, this game is a simplified version of The Dark Crystal for children

Electronic Games, January 1985, pg. 69

Donald Duck’s Playground

Infoworld, December 31, 1984, pg. 20; Compute Vol. 7, No. 2, pg. 46; Commodore 64 manual

King’s Quest + Wizard and the Princess (combo pack) for the Apple ][

Computer Entertainer Vol. 3, No. 10, pg. 150

Learning with Leeper

ported by Software Projects for the ZX Spectrum under a license from Sierra in the United Kingdom

Popular Computing Weekly Vol. 4, No. 3, pg. 18; Crash, No. 16, pg. 105; Your Sinclair, April 1985

Mickey’s Space Adventure

designed by Roberta Williams and Peter Oliphant for the Commodore 64 and the Apple ][ and jointly published by Sierra and Walt Disney

Compute Vol. 7, No. 2, pg. 46

Winnie the Pooh in the Hundred Acre Wood

Compute Vol. 7, No. 2, pg. 46

Sierra announces a port of BC’s Quest for Tires and The Wizard of Id’s WizType for the Mac; however, these ports are eventually canceled

Computer Games Vol. 3, No. 4, pg. 56-57

Sierra announces Dam-Busters, a World War II flight simulation game for the Commodore 64 designed by Sydney Development Corporation and published by Sierra in the US, with ports planned for the Apple ][ and IBM PC/PCjr; however, this release is instead published by Accolade

Computer Entertainer Vol. 3, No. 10, pg. 157; Computer Entertainer Vol. 3, No. 12, pg. 163

c. February

Crossfire (クロスファイアー)

ported for the IBM JX and published by IBM in Japan

ASCII 1985年 04, pg. 40

Homeword

ported for the IBM JX and published by IBM in Japan

JX IBM アプリケーションカタログ(IBM JX Application Catalog), February 1985 – found here: https://ratscats.client.jp/ibmjx.html

Mine Shaft (鉱山大冒陕)

ported for the IBM JX and published by IBM in Japan

JX IBM アプリケーションカタログ(IBM JX Application Catalog), February 1985 – found here: https://ratscats.client.jp/ibmjx.html; ASCII 1985年 04, pg. 40

Story Maker

ported by an unknown developer for the IBM PC/PCjr

Family Computing Vol. 3, No. 2, pg. 104

c. March

Time Zone (タイムゾーン)

ported by Starcraft for the PC-8801/PC-9801, FM-7, and FM-77 in Japan

Sierra announces that it plans on porting the Japanese game Black Onyx to the Commodore 64 and Apple ][; however, these ports are eventually canceled

Electronic Games, March 1985, pg. 10; Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 2, pg. 10; Computer Gaming World Vol. 5, No. 4, pg. 21; Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 7, pg. 2; QuestBusters Vol. III, No. 4, pg. 2

c. April

B.C. II: Grog’s Revenge

ported by US Gold for the Commodore 64 cassette under a license with Sierra and Sydney Development Corporation in the United Kingdom

Popular Computing Weekly Vol. 4, No. 17, pg. 48; Zzap!64, June 1985, pg. 25-28, Computer Gamer, June 1985, pg. 56

Box art: King’s Quest for the IBM PC, IBM PCjr, Tandy 1000, and Apple ][

King’s Quest for the IBM PC, IBM PCjr, Tandy 1000, and Apple ][

re-release

Conjecture based on the release of King’s Quest II, matching the “Animated Adventure Game” tagline

King’s Quest II: Romancing the Throne

Sierra Standard Stock Report, 1989 - https://www.sierragamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/1989_xx_Sierra_On-Line_Standard_OTC_Stock_Report.pdf; Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 4, pg. 14 (Notes shipped second quarter); Computer Gaming World Vol. 5 No. 3, pg. 44; QuestBusters Vol. II, No. 4, pg. 2

Sierra produces the first of its demo disks for King’s Quest II, which it ships to dealers and computer clubs around the country to introduce people to the game

Compute Vol. 7, No. 10, pg. 109; PC World, June 1985, Insert between pgs. 280-281

c. May

Ultima II: The Revenge of the Enchantress

ported by Bob “Bobbit” Heitman for the Mac

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 2, pg. 7; Computer Gaming World Vol. 5, No. 4, pg. 22, 35; QuestBusters Vol. II, No. 4, pg. 2

Sierra announces a port of Gato, a submarine simulation game, for the Commodore 64/128 and Atari ST; however, these ports are eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 2, pg. 10; Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 3, pg. 2; Ahoy, September 1985, pg. 11

Sierra announces HomeWord Money Manager for the IBM PC/PCjr, Commodore 64, and Apple ][; however, this software is eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 2, pg. 14; Compute’s Gazette, No. 24, pg. 65

c. June

Donald Duck’s Playground

ported by John Rinck for the Apple ][ and jointly published by Sierra and Walt Disney

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 4, pg. 14; Donald Duck’s Playground manual

c. July

Sammy Lightfoot (サミーライトフット)

ported for the PC-8801/PC-8801mkII and FM-7 (disk and cassette) and published by Comptiqin Japan through an official license from Sierra

Sierra licenses the game Oil’s Well to the company Comptiq for release on the PC-8801 and Sharp X1; however, these ports are eventually canceled

Sierra announces Mickey’s 3-in-1, a word processor, data file manager, and telecommunications system designed for kids for the Commodore 64 and Apple ][; however, this release is eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 4, pg. 8; Ahoy, September 1985, pg. 9

c. September

Homeword Filer

ported by Al Lowe for the Apple ][

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 7, pg. 14

King’s Quest for the IBM PC/PCjr (dual release)

re-release

This date is pure conjecture. There is no evidence to support when the dual version existed, but it was probably soon after the separate releases earlier in 1984

MacOneWrite: Cash Disbursements

developed by an unknown developer for the Mac

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 7, pg. 8; InfoWorld, October 14, 1985, pg. 44-45

Sierra Championship Boxing

ported by Dave and Barry Murry for the Mac

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 7, pg. 11, 14

Stunt Flyer

developed by Nice Ideas for the Commodore 64/128 and published by Sierra

Electronic Games, March 1985, pg. 9; Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 7, pg. 2, 14; Computer Gaming World Vol. 5, No. 5, pg. 9

Sierra announces a port of The Black Cauldron for the Mac; however, this port is eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 6, pg. 14

Sierra announces a port of King’s Quest II for the Commodore 128; however, this port is eventually canceled

Ahoy, September 1985, pg. 10-11

Sierra announces MacOneWrite: Payroll for the Mac as part of the MacOneWrite series; however, this release is eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 7, pg. 8; Infoworld, June 22, 1987, pg. 24

Sierra announces an updated, ProDOS version of Screenwriter ][ for the Apple ][; however, this release is eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 7, pg. 16

c. October

The Black Cauldron

Sierra Standard Stock Report, 1989 - https://www.sierragamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/1989_xx_Sierra_On-Line_Standard_OTC_Stock_Report.pdf; Creative Computing Vol. 11, No. 12, pg. 11

Donald Duck’s Playground

ported by US Gold for the Commodore 64 cassette through an official license from Walt Disney and Sierra in the United Kingdom

Home Computer Weekly, No. 132, pg. 8; Your Computer, November 1985, pg. 39

Box art: Hi-Res Adventure #1: Mystery House (ミステリーハウス) for the PC-8801/9801/9801F, FM-7/8, and FM-77

Hi-Res Adventure #1: Mystery House (ミステリーハウス) for the PC-8801/9801/9801F, FM-7/8, and FM-77

re-release

This release date is pure conjecture – there is no clear evidence when Starcraft published these versions; however, the packaging used matches the packaging that was used for Ultima II which released around this time in Japan; so they are placed here until a better date can be found

Box art: Hi-Res Adventure #2: Wizard and the Princess (ウィザードアンドプリンセス) for the PC-8801/9801/9801F, FM-7/8, and FM-77

Hi-Res Adventure #2: Wizard and the Princess (ウィザードアンドプリンセス) for the PC-8801/9801/9801F, FM-7/8, and FM-77

re-release

Box art: Hi-Res Adventure #3: Cranston Manor (クランストンマナー) for the PC-8801/9801/9801F, FM-7/8, and FM-77

Hi-Res Adventure #3: Cranston Manor (クランストンマナー) for the PC-8801/9801/9801F, FM-7/8, and FM-77

re-release

Box art: Hi-Res Adventure #4: Ulysses and the Golden Fleece (ユリシーズ) for the PC-8801/9801/9801F, FM-7/8, and FM-77

Hi-Res Adventure #4: Ulysses and the Golden Fleece (ユリシーズ) for the PC-8801/9801/9801F, FM-7/8, and FM-77

re-release

Box art: Hi-Res Adventure #6: The Dark Crystal (ダーククリスタル) for the PC-8801/9801/9801F, FM-7/8, and FM-77

Hi-Res Adventure #6: The Dark Crystal (ダーククリスタル) for the PC-8801/9801/9801F, FM-7/8, and FM-77

re-release

Ultima II: The Revenge of the Enchantress

ported by Starcraft for the PC-8801/8801 mkII, PC-9801, FM-7, and FM-77 in Japan

Oh! FM, 10/1985, pg. 67-68; Login (ログイン), November 1985, pg. 16-17

c. November

The Black Cauldron

ported by Al Lowe for the Apple ][ and jointly published by Sierra and Walt Disney

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 9, pg. 14

Crossfire

ported for the IBM JX and published by IBM in Australia and New Zealand

This date is conjecture based on the release of the IBM JX in Australia (Electronics Australia, November 1985, pg. 4); however, all of the original IBM PCjr software appears to have also been available for the JX as well based on the Official Software Directory noted on pages 3-9 of the following link: http://ftp.oldskool.org/pub/drivers/IBM/JX/JX%20Documents.pdf

Homeword

ported for the IBM JX and published by IBM in Australia and New Zealand

King’s Quest

ported for the IBM JX and published by IBM in Australia and New Zealand

King’s Quest II

ported by an unknown developer for the Apple ][

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 9, pg. 14

Mine Shaft

ported for the IBM JX and published by IBM in Australia and New Zealand

Oil’s Well

ported for the MSX cartridge and published by Comptiq in Japan through a license from Sierra

MSXマガジン, 85年11月号, pg. 52

c. December

B.C. II: Grog’s Revenge + Oil’s Well (package combo for Commodore 64)

This release is pure conjecture; there is no contemporaneous evidence that I could find to support the release date, as the box is identical to the original B.C. II with the exception of the sticker in the top corner

HomeWord Plus

updated version of HomeWord with HomeWord Speller developed by Target Technologies for the Commodore 64

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 10, pg. 14

King’s Quest II

ported by an unknown developer for the Atari ST

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 10, pg. 14

MacOneWrite: Accounts Receivable (released by an unknown developer for the Mac)

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 10, pg. 14

Threshold

ported by To Tek International for the Thomson MO5 and TO7/9 and published by France Image Logiciel through a license from Sierra and the International Computer Group

Hebdogiciel No. 114 (December 20, 1985), pg. 13

Sierra Championship Boxing

ported by an unknown developer for the Commodore 64

Computer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 9, pg. 2

Ultima II: The Revenge of the Enchantress

ported by Bob “Bobbit” Heitman for the Atari ST

Conjecture based on Sierra order form that was published around this time as well as the 1985 copyright on the disks. This release may have been later, as it was first noted in Analog No. 39 as already available (pg. 62) by February 1986

Ultima II: The Revenge of the Enchantress for the Atari 400/800/Commodore 64

re-release

I can find no references to this release. The disk labels have a 1985 copyright, so, in the absence of any other contemporaneous evidence, I have placed this release here

1986

c. January

Homeword Filer for the Apple ][ and IBM PC/PCjr

re-release

I have never seen a physical copy of this version; however, the cover matches that of Homeword Plus, and therefore, conjecturally it was also released around the same time

HomeWord Plus

updated version of HomeWord with HomeWord Speller developed by Target Technologies for the Apple ][ and IBM PC/PCjr/Tandy 1000

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 10, pg. 14; Family Computing Vol. 4, No. 2, pg. 61; PC Magazine Vol. 5, No. 2, pg. 206

Sierra announces ports of The Black Cauldron and King’s Quest for the Commodore 128; however; these ports are eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 10, pg. 8

Sierra announces Kempelen Chess for the Commodore 64 and Atari ST, a port of the MSX game released in Europe by Andromeda sotware; however, this game is eventually released on the pirate market and therefore canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 10, pg. 8; Sierra Order Form, Winter 1985-1986; Analog Computing, No. 46, pg. 79; per conversation with John Williams, this release never came to be

Sierra announces PC OneWrite (Cash Disbursements, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger, and Payroll) and ST OneWrite (Accounts Receivable, General Ledger, and Payroll); however, these releases are eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 10, pg. 8

Sierra announces The Powers of Seven (later called Tales of the Heroes: The Towers of Seven and Fantacide), an RPG game for the Atari ST, IBM PC, Apple ][, and Commodore Amiga; however, this game is eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 10, pg. 8; Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 12, pg. 10; Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 4, pg. 6; QuestBusters Vol. III, No. 4, pg. 2; Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 6, pg. 1

c. February

Sierra Championship Boxing

ported by unknown developer for the Apple ][

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 12, pg. 14

Sierra announces ports of Wrath of Denethenor, Donald Duck’s Playground, and Winnie the Pooh in the Hundred Acre Wood for the Atari 8-bit machines (800, 800XL, and 130XE); however, these ports are eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 12, pg. 10

Sierra announces Space Snatchers of Aratoon, a whimsical, action-oriented adventure designed for kids for the Apple ][ and IBM PC; however, this game is eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 12, pg. 10

c. March

Winnie the Pooh in the Hundred Acre Wood

ported by Jeff Stephenson for the Commodore Amiga

Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 1, pg. 14

Sierra announces Sunset Guide to Cooking and Sunset Guide to Gardening, a joint venture with Sunset Books; however, this release is eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 12, pg. 10

Sierra announces Sierra All-in-One, an integrated home productivity software that includes word processing, desktop publishing, filer, schedule graphics, and spreadsheet; however, this release is eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 12, pg. 10

Sierra announces Amiga OneWrite for the Commodore Amiga; however, this software is eventually canceled

Amiga World, March/April 1985, pg. 40

Sierra releases its first marker hintbooks for King’s Quest I-II and The Black Cauldron

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 12, pg. 10; Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 1, pg. 9

c. April

The Black Cauldron

ported by an unknown developer for the Atari ST and jointly published by Sierra and Walt Disney

Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 2, pg. 14; Compute, No. 71, pg. 38-40

MacOneWrite: General Ledger (released by an unknown developer for the Mac)

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 12, pg. 14; Infoworld, June 22, 1987, pg. 24-25

MacOneWrite: Series Bundle (bundle of Cash Disbursements, Accounts Receivable, and General Ledger)

Sierra 1986 Sierra Warranty Registration Order Form; conjecture based on all three modules having been released

Winnie the Pooh in the Hundred Acre Wood

ported by Bob Heitman for the Atari ST

Computer Entertainer Vol. 4, No. 12, pg. 14; Analog Computing, No. 43, pg. 27

c. July

Oil’s Well

ported for the Atari 400/800 and Commodore 64 cassette on a single release and published by Aackosoft in the Netherlands

This date is conjecture based on the MSX Netherlands release, which also released this month (MSX Nederlands Populairste Computerblad, 2e jaargang, Nr. 9, pg. 65-66). The box is identical, and Aackosoft did begin publishing software for other systems besides the MSX in the later half of 1986, so this seems like a probable release. I am unable to find any contemporaneous evidence which discusses this port.

ST OneWrite: Cash Disbursements (port of OneWrite by an unknown developer for the Atari ST)

Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 6, pg. 14; Compute, No. 75, pg. 33; Analog Computing, No. 45, pg. 114

Sierra announces a series of RPGs for 64K machines that would follow Wrath of Denethenor; however, these games are eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 4, pg. 6

c. August

B.C. II: Grog’s Revenge

ported by US Gold for the MSX under a license with Sierra and Sydney Development Corporation in the United Kingdom

Popular Computing Weekly Vol. 5, No. 35, pg. 45

Oil’s Well

ported by the International Computer Group for the MSX cassette and disk and published by Eaglesoft in Europe

MSX Computing, August/September 1986, pg. 43; MSX Nederlands Populairste Computerblad, 2e jaargang, Nr. 9, pg. 65-66

Smart Money

developed by Software Design Associates for the Apple ][ and IBM PC/PCjr

Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 6, pg. 8, 14; Sierra Standard Stock Report, 1989 - https://www.sierragamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/1989_xx_Sierra_On-Line_Standard_OTC_Stock_Report.pdf; Compute, No. 79, pg. 27-28

c. September

Donald Duck’s Playground

ported by Al Lowe for the IBM PC/PCjr and Tandy 1000

Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 7, pg. 14; Sierra 1986 Warranty Registration Order Form; Radio Shack 1986 catalog, pg. 180

Donald Duck’s Playground for the Commodore 64 and Apple ][

re-release

Conjecture based on the updated box for the IBM PC version which launched this month; this may have been earlier based on the box sticker

Mickey’s Space Adventure

ported by Al Lowe for the IBM PC/PCjr and Tandy 1000

This release is completely conjectural. There is no contemporaneous evidence to support when this version launched, similarly to Winnie the Pooh. I have put it here with the other updated Disney games as it seems probable that this version was ported at this point as well as due to the 1986 copyright inside the manual and on the box

Mickey’s Space Adventure for the Commodore 64 and Apple ][

re-release

Conjecture based on the updated boxes for the other Disney software that launched this month; this may have been earlier based on the box sticker

Space Quest Chapter I: The Sarien Encounter

Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 7, pg. 14; QuestBusters Vol. III, No. 11, pg. 2; Sierra Standard Stock Report, 1989 - https://www.sierragamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/1989_xx_Sierra_On-Line_Standard_OTC_Stock_Report.pdf; this is the original release with a grid built into the design of the box itself - https://retro365.blog/2026/01/19/space-quest-a-new-saga/

Winnie the Pooh in the Hundred Acre Wood

ported by Al Lowe for the IBM PC/PCjr and Tandy 1000

Sierra 1986 Warranty Registration Order Form; Radio Shack 1986 catalog, pg. 180

Box art: Winnie the Pooh in the Hundred Acre Wood for the Commodore 64, Apple ][, Atari ST, and Commodore Amiga

Winnie the Pooh in the Hundred Acre Wood for the Commodore 64, Apple ][, Atari ST, and Commodore Amiga

re-release

Conjecture based on the updated boxes for the other Disney software that launched this month

Sierra announces a port of Sierra’s 3D Helicopter Simulator for the Atari ST; however, this port is eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 6, pg. 1

c. November

Donald Duck’s Playground

ported by an Al Lowe and Mark Crowe for the Atari ST

Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 9, pg. 14; ST-Log, No. 17, pg. 58

King’s Quest

ported by Arthur Abraham for the Mac

Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 9, pg. 14; QuestBusters Vol. III, No. 11, pg. 2

King’s Quest III: To Heir is Human

Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 9, pg. 14; Sierra Standard Stock Report, 1989 - https://www.sierragamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/1989_xx_Sierra_On-Line_Standard_OTC_Stock_Report.pdf

Space Quest Chapter I: The Sarien Encounter

ported by an unknown developer for the Atari ST

Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 9, pg. 14

c. December

BC’s Quest for Tires/B.C. II: Grog’s Revenge for the Commodore 64/128 (collection published by Sierra under the Impulse Software brand name)

I can find no evidence to support a release date for this software other than the 1986 copyright. This software obviously released, and the UPC code on the back of the packaging indicates that it was a Sierra-published release; however, it is unclear as to when this compilation was released, or how much later the separate box release came out

Frogger/Threshold for the Commodore 64/128 (collection published by Sierra under the Impulse Software brand name)

King’s Quest

ported by Chris Iden for the Commodore Amiga and Atari ST

Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 10, pg. 14

King’s Quest III: To Heir is Human

ported by an unknown developer for the Atari ST

Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 11, pg. 14

Mission: Asteroid/Wizard and the Princess for the Commodore 64/128 (collection published by Sierra under the Impulse Software brand name)

Space Quest Chapter I: The Sarien Encounter

ported by Jeff Stephenson for the Commodore Amiga

Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 10, pg. 14; Ahoy! September 1987, pg. 54

WizType/WizMath for the Commodore 64/128 (collection published by Sierra under the Impulse Software brand name)

Sierra publishes Smart Money demo disks

Date based on conjecture. This was first mentioned in the 1987 Catalog, which shipped in late 1986 based on the copyright, but it’s likely that these demo disks shipped around the same time as Smart Money in September. This is put here until a better date can be confirmed

1987

c. January

The Black Cauldron

updated 256K version for IBM PC/PCjr/Tandy 1000

Sierra Catalog 1987 order form (this date is conjecture as it’s not entirely sure when this catalog shipped, but it was likely late 1986/early 1987)

King’s Quest

updated 256K version for IBM PC/PCjr/Tandy 1000

Sierra Catalog 1987 order form (this date is conjecture as it’s not entirely sure when this catalog shipped, but it was likely late 1986/early 1987)

King’s Quest II: Romancing the Throne

updated 256K version for the IBM PC/PCjr/Tandy 1000

Sierra Catalog 1987 order form (this date is conjecture as it’s not entirely sure when this catalog shipped, but it was likely late 1986/early 1987)

Wrath of Denethenor

developed independently by Christopher Crim for the Apple ][ and Commodore 64/128 and published by Sierra

Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 11, pg. 7, 14; The Sierra Adventure, pg. 54-57

Sierra begins to produce their 3-D Animated Adventure Demo Disks, which would have random demos of various Sierra games for various systems

Sierra Catalog 1987 order form (this date is conjecture as it’s not entirely sure when this catalog shipped, but it was likely late 1986/early 1987); picture used as an example

Sierra announces ports of Sierra’s 3D Helicopter Simulator for the Mac, Apple ][gs, and Commodore Amiga; however, these ports are eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 11, pg. 4

A listing for an Atari ST game named Grandmaster Chess (also listed as Grand Master Chess) is noted for a first quarter 1987 release from Sierra, but I can find no information about this release

Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 10, pg. 14; STart Magazine, Fall 1986, pg. 65; it’s possible that this was a rename of Kempelen Chess, but there is not enough evidence to ascertain this

Sierra announces a port of Thexder for the Atari ST; however, this port is eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 11, pg. 4

Sierra announces a port of The Wizard of Id’s WizType for the Atari ST with a first quarter 1987 release; however, this port is eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 10, pg. 14; STart Magazine, Fall 1986, pg. 60

c. February

Electronic Arts announces that it will begin distributing Sierra’s Amiga software (Winnie the Pooh, King’s Quest, and Space Quest, along with the upcoming King’s Quest II and III) as part of the EA Affiliated Label program

Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 11, pg. 5; Compute, No. 85, pg. 116

Sierra announces a port of Donald Duck’s Playground for the Mac; however, this port is eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 5, No. 11, pg. 14

c. March

Donald Duck’s Playground

ported by an unknown developer for the Tandy Color Computer

Radio Shack 1987 Tandy Computer Catalog, pg. 40; Family Computing Vol. 5, No. 8, pg. 27

Mickey’s Space Adventure

ported by an unknown developer for the Tandy Color Computer

Conjecture based on the Tandy CoCo releases of Donald Duck’s Playground and Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh in the Hundred Acre Wood

ported by an unknown developer for the Tandy Color Computer

Radio Shack 1987 Tandy Computer Catalog, pg. 40

c. April

Donald Duck’s Playground

ported by Jeff Stephenson and Chris Iden for the Amiga and distributed by Electronic Arts

Ahoy, May 1987, pg. 8-10

King’s Quest II: Romancing the Throne

ported by an unknown developer for the Amiga and distributed by Electronic Arts

Computer Entertainer Vol. 6, No. 2, pg. 14; Ahoy, May 1987, pg. 8-10

King’s Quest III: To Heir is Human

ported by an unknown developer for the Amiga and distributed by Electronic Arts

Computer Entertainer Vol. 6, No. 2, pg. 14; Ahoy, May 1987, pg. 8-10

c. May

Space Quest Chapter One: The Sarien Encounter

ported by Mark Langbehn of Fairfield Software for the Mac

Computer Entertainer Vol. 6, No. 3, pg. 14; https://sierra.fandom.com/wiki/Space_Quest:_The_Sarien_Encounter_(AGI) credits the programmer who ported this, but I can find no records to confirm this; however, he did numerous Mac ports for Sierra, so it is reasonable to presume that he also was the programmer who ported this version

Sierra releases Hi-Res Adventure #1: Mystery House into the public domain to celebrate Sierra’s 7-year anniversary

Computer Entertainer Vol. 6, No. 4, pg. 5; Sierra Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 1, pg. 10; Family & Home Office Computing Vol. 5, No. 11, pg. 28; QuestBusters Vol. IV, No. 7, pg. 2

Sierra announces a port of Donald Duck’s Playground for the Apple ][gs; however, this port is eventually canceled

Computer Entertainer Vol. 6, No. 2, pg. 14

c. June

The Black Cauldron

ported by an unknown developer for the Commodore Amiga and published jointly by Sierra and Disney; this game was distributed by Electronic Arts

Date based on conjecture. The Black Cauldron is not listed in Sierra’s original games to be distributed by Electronic Arts; however, it was released in 1987, as numerous sources show that the Amiga version existed by December. The presence of the flip-top box, though, indicates that this version had to have released prior to Sierra’s change to slipcovers in late 1987. Therefore, the release is placed here until a better date can be verified

King’s Quest II: Romancing the Throne

ported by Mark Langbehn for the Mac

Computer Entertainer Vol. 6, No. 4, pg. 14; QuestBusters Vol. IV, No. 7, pg. 9

Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards

developed by Al Lowe and Mark Crowe for the IBM PC/PCjr/Tandy 1000

Sierra Standard Stock Report, 1989 - https://www.sierragamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/1989_xx_Sierra_On-Line_Standard_OTC_Stock_Report.pdf; Computer Entertainer Vol. 6, No. 4, pg. 14

Box art: Space Quest Chapter I: The Sarien Encounter for IBM PC/Tandy 1000, Atari ST, Amiga, and Mac

Space Quest Chapter I: The Sarien Encounter for IBM PC/Tandy 1000, Atari ST, Amiga, and Mac

re-release

Date based on conjecture. The exact date is unknown – Grid boxes at least existed for all of the original releases. However, the original grid box was too expensive to continue producing, so it was eventually replaced with plain black boxes

c. July

The Black Cauldron for the IBM PC and Tandy 1000

re-release of the 256K version

Conjecture based on Sierra Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 1, pg. 11, which notes that LSL1 was the first Sierra game to support the 3.5” floppy drive for IBM PC, and that other Sierra games soon followed

Homeword Plus for the IBM PC/Tandy 1000

re-release

Sierra Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 1, pg. 16; Sierra Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 2, pg. 5

King’s Quest for the IBM PC and Tandy 1000

re-release of the 256K version

Conjecture based on Sierra Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 1, pg. 11, which notes that LSL1 was the first Sierra game to support the 3.5” floppy drive for IBM PC, and that other Sierra games soon followed – there is likely evidence that both the 128K and 256K versions of this game released on both dual-release versions, as The Black Cauldron had dual releases of the 128K version

King’s Quest II: Romancing the Throne for the IBM PC and Tandy 1000

re-release of 256K version

Conjecture based on Sierra Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 1, pg. 11, which notes that LSL1 was the first Sierra game to support the 3.5” floppy drive for IBM PC, and that other Sierra games soon followed– there is likely evidence that both the 128K and 256K versions of this game released on both dual-release versions, as The Black Cauldron had dual releases of the 128K version

King’s Quest III: To Heir is Human

ported by Mark Langbehn for the Mac

Sierra Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 1, pg. 14

King’s Quest III: To Heir is Human for the IBM PC and Tandy 1000

re-release

Conjecture based on Sierra Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 1, pg. 11, which notes that LSL1 was the first Sierra game to support the 3.5” floppy drive for IBM PC, and that other Sierra games soon followed

Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards

(dual disk) (re-release)

Computer Entertainer Vol. 6, No. 5, pg. 2

Smart Money for the IBM PC/Tandy 1000

re-release

Conjecture based on Sierra Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 1, pg. 11, which notes that LSL1 was the first Sierra game to support the 3.5” floppy drive for IBM PC, and that other Sierra software soon followed

Space Quest Chapter I: The Sarien Encounter for the IBM PC/Tandy 1000

re-release

Conjecture based on Sierra Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 1, pg. 11, which notes that LSL1 was the first Sierra game to support the 3.5” floppy drive for IBM PC, and that other Sierra games soon followed

Sierra begins selling Leisure Suit Larry baseball jersey shirts (blue sleeves and yellow/orange sleeves)

Sierra Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 1, pg. 9

Sierra introduces the Sierra Customer Service program, the Sierra Bulletin Board System (BBS)

Sierra Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 1, pg. 1

c. September

King’s Quest: Quest for the Crown for IBM PC (256K release) (5.25” disk only)

re-release

Conjecture since King’s Quest III clearly had a solo gold box 5.25” disk release, it’s logical that King’s Quest I and II did as well

King’s Quest II: Romancing the Throne for IBM PC (256K release) (5.25” disks only)

re-release

Conjecture since King’s Quest III clearly had a solo gold box 5.25” disk release, it’s logical that King’s Quest I and II did as well

King’s Quest III: To Heir is Human

ported by Sol Ackerman for the Tandy Color Computer 3

Radio Shack 1988 Catalog, pg. 164; 1988 Tandy Computer Catalog & Software Reference Guide, pg. 87

King’s Quest III: To Heir is Human for the IBM PC (256K release) (5.25” disks only)

re-release

There is a very limited release window that the solo 5.25” version could have released – the original box was still being used in September, and the majority of the gold boxes released in October. It’s likely that the IBM versions were the first gold boxes released, although why there is a solo 5.25” disk version after Sierra had already introduced dual disk releases is beyond me

Sierra’s 3-D Helicopter Simulator

Computer Entertainer Vol. 6, No. 7, pg. 14; Sierra Standard Stock Report, 1989 - https://www.sierragamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/1989_xx_Sierra_On-Line_Standard_OTC_Stock_Report.pdf; Sierra Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 2, pg. 1

Thexder

designed by Hibiki Godai and Satoshi Uesaka of Game Arts for the PC-8801 and PC-9801, the English version was developed by Synergistic Software for the IBM PC/Tandy 1000 and published in the US by Sierra under an official license from Game Arts

Computer Entertainer Vol. 6, No. 7, pg. 14; Sierra Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 1, pg. 1; Sierra Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 2, pg. 1; Sierra Standard Stock Report, 1989 - https://www.sierragamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/1989_xx_Sierra_On-Line_Standard_OTC_Stock_Report.pdf

c. October

Box art: The Black Cauldron for the IBM PC/Tandy 1000, Apple ][, Atari ST, and Amiga

The Black Cauldron for the IBM PC/Tandy 1000, Apple ][, Atari ST, and Amiga

re-release

We’re Out to Make Software History 1987 catalog, pg. 11

Box art: King’s Quest: Quest for the Crown for the IBM PC/Tandy 1000 (256K), Apple ][, Atari ST, Mac, and Commodore Amiga

King’s Quest: Quest for the Crown for the IBM PC/Tandy 1000 (256K), Apple ][, Atari ST, Mac, and Commodore Amiga

re-release

We’re Out to Make Software History 1987 catalog, pg. 6

Box art: King’s Quest II: Romancing the Throne for the IBM PC/Tandy 1000 (256K), Apple ][, Atari ST, Mac, and Commodore Amiga

King’s Quest II: Romancing the Throne for the IBM PC/Tandy 1000 (256K), Apple ][, Atari ST, Mac, and Commodore Amiga

re-release

We’re Out to Make Software History 1987 catalog, pg. 6

Box art: King’s Quest III: To Heir is Human for the IBM PC/Tandy 1000, Atari ST, Mac, and Commodore Amiga

King’s Quest III: To Heir is Human for the IBM PC/Tandy 1000, Atari ST, Mac, and Commodore Amiga

re-release

We’re Out to Make Software History 1987 catalog, pg. 6

Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards

ported by an unknown developer for the Atari ST

Analog Computing, October 1987, pg. 88; Sierra New Release Schedule and Catalog, Sierra BBS, January 14, 1988

Box art: Space Quest Chapter I: The Sarien Encounter for the IBM PC/Tandy 1000, Atari ST, Mac, and Commodore Amiga

Space Quest Chapter I: The Sarien Encounter for the IBM PC/Tandy 1000, Atari ST, Mac, and Commodore Amiga

re-release

Sierra Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 2, pg. 5; We’re Out to Make Software History 1987 catalog, pg. 7; this box initially shipped with a misprint on the back, as the Half-Dome was accidentally flipped in the picture featuring the Two Guys from Andromeda

c. November

Thexder

ported by Synergistic Software for the Apple ][gs and the Tandy Color Computer 3

Computer Entertainer Vol. 6, No. 8, pg. 14; Radio Shack 1988 Catalog, pg. 165

Police Quest in Pursuit of the Death Angel

Sierra Standard Stock Report, 1989 - https://www.sierragamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/1989_xx_Sierra_On-Line_Standard_OTC_Stock_Report.pdf; I am not sure why Sierra released a 5.25” floppy version of this game when by November they were already shipping dual disk versions of other software, but the single disk version obviously exists, so there must have been some logic behind both of these releases

Roberta Williams’ Mixed-Up Mother Goose

Sierra Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 2, pg. 8; Computer Entertainer Vol. 6, No. 10, pg. 14; Sierra Standard Stock Report, 1989 - https://www.sierragamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/1989_xx_Sierra_On-Line_Standard_OTC_Stock_Report.pdf

Space Quest Chapter I: The Sarien Encounter

ported by an unknown developer for the Apple ][ and Apple ][gs

Computer Entertainer Vol. 6, No. 9, pg. 14

Space Quest II – Chapter II: Vohaul’s Revenge

developed by Scott Murphy and Mark Crowe for the IBM PC/Tandy 1000

Computer Entertainer Vol. 6, No. 9, pg. 8; Sierra Standard Stock Report, 1989 - https://www.sierragamers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/1989_xx_Sierra_On-Line_Standard_OTC_Stock_Report.pdf

Sierra starts selling Helicopter Flight School T-shirts

Sierra Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 2, pg. 20; Family & Home Office Computing Vol. 6, No. 2, pg. 30

Sierra begins offering free Sierra logo T-shirts with purchases of $35 or more

Sierra Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 2, pg. 6

Sierra begins selling packages of blank 5.25” and 3.25” floppy disks for boot disk purposes

Sierra Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 2, pg. 19

c. December

Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards

ported by Carlos Escobar for the Apple ][ and Apple ][gs; by Mark Langbehn for the Mac; and by an unknown developer for the Commodore Amiga; the Amiga version was distributed by Electronic Arts

Computer Entertainer Vol. 6, No. 10, pg. 14; Compute’s Apple Applications, April 1988, pg. 27; MacWorld, December 1987, pg. 142; Ahoy, December 1987, pg. 14; Sierra New Release Schedule and Catalog, Sierra BBS, January 14, 1988

Mixed-Up Mother Goose

ported by an unknown developer for the Atari ST

Sierra New Release Schedule and Catalog, Sierra BBS, January 14, 1988

Police Quest: In Pursuit of the Death Angel for the IBM PC/Tandy 1000

(dual disk) (re-release)

Computer Entertainer Vol. 6, No. 9, pg. 8; Computer Entertainer Vol. 6, No. 10, pg. 14; Computer Gaming World, Number 43, pg. 7

Sierra Championship Boxing

updated 348K version for the Tandy 1000

1988 Tandy Computer Catalog & Software Reference Guide, pg. 83; Sierra New Release Schedule and Catalog, Sierra BBS, January 14, 1988 – The Sierra BBS form specifically notes that the Tandy 1000 requires 384K, which is different from the 128K version that was previously released for the IBM PC/PCjr. This software is not shown on any Tandy/Radio Shack catalog prior to the 1988 catalog, which released in late 1987; therefore, it is placed here until a better date is found

Space Quest II – Chapter II: Vohaul’s Revenge

ported by an unknown developer for the Atari ST

Sierra New Release Schedule and Catalog, Sierra BBS, January 14, 1988

Thexder

ported by Synergistic Software for the Commodore Amiga

Computer Entertainer Vol. 6, No. 10, pg. 14