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{{Short description|1991 video game}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Infobox video game
{{Infobox video game
|title = The Shadow of Yserbius
|title = The Shadow of Yserbius
|image = The Shadow of Yserbius cover.jpg
|image =
|developer = [[Ybarra Productions]]
|developer = Ybarra Productions
|publisher = [[Sierra On-Line]]
|publisher = [[Sierra On-Line]]
|released = 1991 (Incl. with [[ImagiNation Network|TSN]])<br />1992 (Offline Port by Sierra)<br />1994/5 (Incl. with [[ImagiNation Network|INN]])
|released = 1991 (incl. with [[ImagiNation Network|TSN]])<br />1992 (offline port by Sierra)<br />1994/5 (incl. with [[ImagiNation Network|INN]])
|genre = [[MUD]]<br />[[Role-playing video game|RPG]]
|genre = [[Multi-user dungeon|MUD]]<br />[[Role-playing video game|RPG]]
|modes = [[Single player]]<br />[[Multiplayer video game|Multiplayer]]
|modes = [[Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
|platforms = [[MS-DOS]]
|platforms = [[MS-DOS]]
}}
}}
'''''The Shadow of Yserbius''''', originally published by [[Sierra On-Line]] and developed by [[Joe Ybarra]] of [[Ybarra Productions]], was the first of three [[graphical MUD]]s for the online community. Opening to rave reviews, ''The Shadow of Yserbius'', according to industry critics,{{who|date=May 2010}} set the standard by which all future MUDs would be judged. The game was followed by two sequels entitled ''[[The Fates of Twinion]]'' (1993) and ''[[The Ruins of Cawdor]]'' (1995). Until recently, only ''The Shadow of Yserbius'' and ''The Fates of Twinion'' were playable in offline mode.
'''''The Shadow of Yserbius''''', originally published by [[Sierra On-Line]] and developed by [[Joe Ybarra]] of Ybarra Productions, was the first of three [[graphical MUD]]s for the online community. ''The Shadow of Yserbius'' and its successors remained online until 1996, when [[America Online]] purchased the rights from [[AT&T Corporation|AT&T]] for an undisclosed price (rumored to be $40 million). AOL soon abandoned ''The Shadow of Yserbius'', which was a competitor to its existing online RPG ''[[Neverwinter Nights (1991 video game)|Neverwinter Nights]]''.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}


⚫
In late 2007, the ImagiNation Revival Project succeeded in resurrecting the long-dormant ImagiNation Network by using the original client software coupled with [[DOSBox]]. ''The Shadow of Yserbius'' was again available for online play with all features, graphics, sounds, and such fully intact and functional. Macros were fully supported and compatibility with old character and map files was enabled for TSN/INN versions 2.4 and higher. In early 2016, the server was shut down making online play not possible until recently.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}
''The Shadow of Yserbius'', along with its successors, remained online until 1996, when [[America Online]] purchased the rights from then-owner [[AT&T Corporation|AT&T]] for an undisclosed price (rumored to be $40 million). AOL soon pulled the plug on ''The Shadow of Yserbius'', which was a competitor to its existing online RPG ''[[Neverwinter Nights (AOL game)|Neverwinter Nights]]''.


The game was followed by two sequels: ''[[The Fates of Twinion]]'' (1993) and ''[[The Ruins of Cawdor]]'' (1995).
⚫
In late 2007, the ImagiNation Revival Project succeeded in resurrecting the long-dormant ImagiNation Network by using the original client software coupled with [[DOSBox]]. ''The Shadow of Yserbius'' was again available for online play with all features, graphics, sounds, and such fully intact and functional. Macros are fully supported and compatibility with old character and map files is enabled for TSN/INN versions 2.4 and higher. In early 2016, the server was shut down making online play not possible until recently.


== Gameplay ==
== Gameplay ==
⚫
[[Image:Yserbiusfight.JPG|thumb|Combat was simple turn-based point and click fare, typical of many graphical RPGs of its time.]]

⚫
[[Image:Yserbiusfight.JPG|thumb|Combat was simple turn-based point and click fare, typical of many graphical RPG's of its time.]]


The goal of the game was to kill an evil elemental creature called En-li-Kil. There were a number of "rooms", where up to 30 (later 60) people could meet and adventure together in groups of up to four. Combat was turn-based.
The goal of the game was to kill an evil elemental creature called En-li-Kil. There were a number of "rooms", where up to 30 (later 60) people could meet and adventure together in groups of up to four. Combat was turn-based.
Line 24: Line 23:
The available professions were [[Barbarian]], [[Knight]], [[Ranger (character class)|Ranger]], [[Thief]], [[Cleric (character class)|Cleric]], and [[Wizard (character class)|Wizard]]. Player races included [[Human]], [[Orc]], [[Elf]], [[Troll]], [[dwarf (mythology)|Dwarf]], [[Gnome]], [[Halfling]], and [[Gremlin]].
The available professions were [[Barbarian]], [[Knight]], [[Ranger (character class)|Ranger]], [[Thief]], [[Cleric (character class)|Cleric]], and [[Wizard (character class)|Wizard]]. Player races included [[Human]], [[Orc]], [[Elf]], [[Troll]], [[dwarf (mythology)|Dwarf]], [[Gnome]], [[Halfling]], and [[Gremlin]].


Another popular pastime was player vs player sparring. This later became corrupted by cheating, as well as version compatibility issues, which later versions tried to address with little success. The most popular of these cheating programs was a macro called ''VitaminF''.
Another popular pastime was [[player vs. player]] sparring. Many players were members of [[Clan (computer gaming)|guilds]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

Many players were members of [[Clan (computer gaming)|guilds]], ranging from the SoF (Soldiers Of Fortune), KoY (Kingdom Of Yserbius), EMPIRE and DEADZ, to guilds such as TheMercs, KoC (Knight of Chivalry), KAAOS (Killing As An Organized Sport), and the FTT (Friendship, Truth, and Trust Guild). While some guilds were based on role-playing at times, some of the guilds were dedicated to helping others with interest in the Quests and building strong characters. A handful of the guilds started in Yserbius during the early 1990s, such as the MRA (Mystical Realms of Asgard), [http://www.sofguild.com/ SoF], TheCelts, [http://www.kaaos.com KAAOS], DEADZ, [http://www.themercs.org TheMercs], [http://www.newoutriders.com New Outriders], and the FTT, still exist to this day.

Source of information for gameplay.
Detailed walkthrough available at [http://www.yserbius.org/ Yserbius Forum]
Source of information for Gameplay Original Manual in PDF format [http://www.yserbius.org/download/Yserbius_Manual_Original.pdf Yserbius.org]

== The Tavern ==
The tavern was the social hub for the game. Players who spent a lot of time in the tavern were known as "tavern rats". Many games and challenges took place there, as well as a significant amount of roleplaying.


==Reception==
==Reception==
Line 41: Line 31:
}}
}}


''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' in 1993 called the online version's static artwork "lovely" and approved of the questing and, especially, the social nature of the game. The magazine concluded that "Those who possess the money would be well served to try out TSN and ''Yserbius''".<ref name="baker199305">{{cite news | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1993&pub=2&id=106 | title=A Trip Into the Fiery Environs of TSN's Yserbius | work=Computer Gaming World | date=May 1993 | accessdate=7 July 2014 | author=Baker, Samuel II | pages=78}}</ref> In June 1994 ''Shadow of Yserbius: Fates of Twinion'' was a finalist for ''Computer Gaming World''{{'}}s "Online Game of the Year" award, losing to ''[[Multiplayer BattleTech: EGA|Multiplayer BattleTech]]''.<ref name="cgw199406">{{Cite magazine
''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' in 1993 called the online version's static artwork "lovely" and approved of the questing and, especially, the social nature of the game. The magazine concluded that "those who possess the money would be well served to try out TSN and ''Yserbius''".<ref name="baker199305">{{cite magazine | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1993&pub=2&id=106 | title=A Trip Into the Fiery Environs of TSN's Yserbius | magazine=Computer Gaming World | date=May 1993 | accessdate=7 July 2014 | author=Baker, Samuel II | pages=78}}</ref> In June 1994 ''Shadow of Yserbius: Fates of Twinion'' was a finalist for ''Computer Gaming World''{{'}}s "Online Game of the Year" award, losing to ''[[Multiplayer BattleTech: EGA|Multiplayer BattleTech]]''.<ref name="cgw199406">{{Cite magazine
|last=
|last=
|first=
|first=
Line 50: Line 40:
|title=Announcing The New Premier Awards
|title=Announcing The New Premier Awards
|department=
|department=
|url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=118
|url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=118
|magazine=Computer Gaming World
|magazine=Computer Gaming World
|pages=51–58
|pages=51–58
|type=
|type=}}</ref>
}}</ref>


''Computer Gaming World'' in 1994 stated that the boxed set of offline versions of ''Yserbius'' and ''Twinion'' "a hollow shell of its vibrant on-line self ... Playing ''Yserbius'' without fellow on-line gamers is like being in an amusement park after hours, on in which the rides aren't all that fun to begin with". While acknowledging that "there is something to be said for" its "refreshingly simple" gameplay, and the usefulness of an offline way to learn and level up characters for the online version, the magazine concluded that most fantasy RPG players would be disappointed when ''[[Betrayal at Krondor]]'', ''[[Lands of Lore]]'', and other alternatives were available.<ref name="yee199402">{{Cite magazine |last=Yee |first=Bernie |date=February 1994 |title=Role-Playing Reversal |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=115 |magazine=Computer Gaming World |pages=144, 146}}</ref>
''Computer Gaming World'' in 1994 stated that the boxed set of offline versions of ''Yserbius'' and ''Twinion'' was "a hollow shell of its vibrant on-line self ... Playing ''Yserbius'' without fellow on-line gamers is like being in an amusement park after hours, on in which the rides aren't all that fun to begin with". While acknowledging that "there is something to be said for" its "refreshingly simple" gameplay, and the usefulness of an offline way to learn and level up characters for the online version, the magazine concluded that most fantasy RPG players would be disappointed when ''[[Betrayal at Krondor]]'', ''[[Lands of Lore]]'', and other alternatives were available.<ref name="yee199402">{{Cite magazine |last=Yee |first=Bernie |date=February 1994 |title=Role-Playing Reversal |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=115 |magazine=Computer Gaming World |pages=144, 146}}</ref>


== Remakes ==
== Remake==
''MedievaLands'' is a complete [[Video game remake|remake]] of ''The Shadow of Yserbius'' and its sequel, ''The Fates of Twinion''. In addition to support for modern Windows and macOS platforms, ''MedievaLands'' adds quality of life and gameplay functionality inspired by successors of the original games.<ref name="medievalands201903">{{Cite web |url=https://medievalands.com/news/ |title=MedievaLands News |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=September 14, 2021 |access-date=September 12, 2022 |quote=This new UI is meant to be more understandable for new players by relying on commonly understood modern user interface principles that advertise to the player how they may explore and interact with the game.}}</ref>

=== INN Barn (2019-Present) ===

*[innbarn.com INN Barn]* was designed from scratch as a modern recreation of the former Imagination DOS network servers. It's been created and hosted by Jim Leiterman who worked for INN back in 1994-95 as a way to restore some of the functionality of the old network. In addition to the server, he has programmed a companion proxy interface for Windows to connect to said server. Basically, you run the innproxy on your PC, you run the INN software in DOSBox, and when you connect it connects to the running proxy as if it were the old dialup modems we use to use in the “old” days to connect to the INN Barn server. Being DOSBox it has native clients that will run in Linux, Mac, and Windows the only caveat being the proxy is windows only but has run well for Linux / Mac users under WINE.

We can now again enjoy playing with friends Cawdor, Twinion, and Yserbius along with most of other INN games like Boogers, Red Baron, Cribbage, Spades, Hearts, Cribbage and more for free.
The Sierra Help Pages has graciously hosted a setup package for Windows you can download that includes everything you need to connect and play here:

http://www.sierrahelp.com/Misc/INNBarn.html

=== MedievaLands (2019-Present) ===

MedievaLands, a modern recreation of ''The Shadow of Yserbius'', is currently available for play. MedievaLands is a from-scratch rewrite of the original game, with native client software available for Windows and MacOS.

Players can download the MedievaLands client from [https://www.medievalands.com www.MedievaLands.com].

=== INN Revival (2007-2016) ===
In May 2007, the INN Revival team released an INN server emulator which implemented most of The [[ImagiNation Network]] features, including ''The Shadow of Yserbius''. The INN Revival project used the original INN client software running in the [[DOSBox]] environment, and reverse engineered the original client's network protocol. Because INN Revival used the original client software, it maintained all the functionality of ''Yserbius'', including [[backward compatibility]] with popular macros such as VitaminF (a character modification program) and pre-existing player and map files from the original ImagiNation Network releases. The sequels ''Fates of Twinion'' and ''Ruins of Cawdor'', based on the same gameplay engine and similar file structures, were added in early 2008.

The INN Revival server went offline in early 2016. The [http://innrevival.googlepages.com/home INN Revival website] remains unavailable.

=== Ruins of Cawdor Offline Patch ===

''[[The Ruins of Cawdor]]'' (the second sequel to ''Yserbius'') has been patched to be playable offline.


== References==
== References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
⚫
* Source http://www.yserbius.org archives

*Source http://www.yserbius.org Archives
* Source http://www.sierragamers.com/ owned by creator Ken Williams
*Source http://www.sierragamers.com/ owned by Creator Ken Williams
* Source http://www.vintage-sierra.net/index.php
⚫
*Source http://www.vintage-sierra.net/index.php


== External links ==
== External links ==
*[https://www.facebook.com/groups/69704136680/ ImagiNation Network Revival Facebook group where members can discuss all things INN and arrange play times.]
* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/69704136680/ ImagiNation Network Revival Facebook group where members can discuss all things INN and arrange play times]
*[http://innbarn.com INN Barn - Home of the INN Barn, recreating some of the functionality of the Imagination Network, currently in beta.]
* [http://innbarn.com INN Barn - home of the INN Barn, recreating some of the functionality of the Imagination Network, currently in beta]
* [https://www.medievalands.com MedievaLands - a modern recreation of ''Shadows of Yserbius'' and ''Fates of Twinion'']
*[https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/innrevival INN Revival Forums - This is the forum of the dead INN Revival project.]
* [https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/innrevival INN Revival Forums - the forum of the dead INN Revival project]
*[http://yserbius.googlepages.com MedievaLand - A page dedicated to recreating online Yserbius / Twinion / Cawdor]
*[http://www.sierrahelp.com The Sierra Help Pages - Keeping the classics alive on modern PCs.]
* [http://yserbius.googlepages.com MedievaLand - a page dedicated to recreating online Yserbius / Twinion / Cawdor]
*[http://www.yserbius.org Yserbius.org - This site is intended for the purpose of Archival of all things Yserbius, TSN, INN.]
* [http://www.sierrahelp.com The Sierra Help Pages - keeping the classics alive on modern PCs]
* [http://www.yserbius.org Yserbius.org - this site is intended for the purpose of archival of all things about Yserbius, TSN, INN]




{{MUDs}}
{{MUDs}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Shadow Of Yserbius}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shadow Of Yserbius}}
⚫
[[Category:1991 video games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:DOS-only games]]
[[Category:DOS-only games]]
⚫
[[Category:1992 video games]]
[[Category:Fantasy video games]]
[[Category:Fantasy video games]]
[[Category:Graphical MUDs]]
[[Category:Graphical MUDs]]
⚫
[[Category:Inactive massively multiplayer online games]]
[[Category:Massively multiplayer online role-playing games]]
[[Category:Massively multiplayer online role-playing games]]
[[Category:Sierra Entertainment games]]
[[Category:Sierra Entertainment games]]
⚫
[[Category:Inactive massively multiplayer online games]]
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[[Category:Video games scored by Russell Lieblich]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Aubrey Hodges]]
⚫
[[Category:Video games scored by Russell Lieblich]]
[[Category:Ybarra Productions games]]

Latest revision as of 15:04, 4 October 2024

The Shadow of Yserbius
Developer(s)Ybarra Productions
Publisher(s)Sierra On-Line
Platform(s)MS-DOS
Release1991 (incl. with TSN)
1992 (offline port by Sierra)
1994/5 (incl. with INN)
Genre(s)MUD
RPG
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

The Shadow of Yserbius, originally published by Sierra On-Line and developed by Joe Ybarra of Ybarra Productions, was the first of three graphical MUDs for the online community. The Shadow of Yserbius and its successors remained online until 1996, when America Online purchased the rights from AT&T for an undisclosed price (rumored to be $40 million). AOL soon abandoned The Shadow of Yserbius, which was a competitor to its existing online RPG Neverwinter Nights.[citation needed]

In late 2007, the ImagiNation Revival Project succeeded in resurrecting the long-dormant ImagiNation Network by using the original client software coupled with DOSBox. The Shadow of Yserbius was again available for online play with all features, graphics, sounds, and such fully intact and functional. Macros were fully supported and compatibility with old character and map files was enabled for TSN/INN versions 2.4 and higher. In early 2016, the server was shut down making online play not possible until recently.[citation needed]

The game was followed by two sequels: The Fates of Twinion (1993) and The Ruins of Cawdor (1995).

Gameplay

[edit]
Combat was simple turn-based point and click fare, typical of many graphical RPGs of its time.

The goal of the game was to kill an evil elemental creature called En-li-Kil. There were a number of "rooms", where up to 30 (later 60) people could meet and adventure together in groups of up to four. Combat was turn-based.

The available professions were Barbarian, Knight, Ranger, Thief, Cleric, and Wizard. Player races included Human, Orc, Elf, Troll, Dwarf, Gnome, Halfling, and Gremlin.

Another popular pastime was player vs. player sparring. Many players were members of guilds.[citation needed]

Reception

[edit]

Computer Gaming World in 1993 called the online version's static artwork "lovely" and approved of the questing and, especially, the social nature of the game. The magazine concluded that "those who possess the money would be well served to try out TSN and Yserbius".[2] In June 1994 Shadow of Yserbius: Fates of Twinion was a finalist for Computer Gaming World's "Online Game of the Year" award, losing to Multiplayer BattleTech.[1]

Computer Gaming World in 1994 stated that the boxed set of offline versions of Yserbius and Twinion was "a hollow shell of its vibrant on-line self ... Playing Yserbius without fellow on-line gamers is like being in an amusement park after hours, on in which the rides aren't all that fun to begin with". While acknowledging that "there is something to be said for" its "refreshingly simple" gameplay, and the usefulness of an offline way to learn and level up characters for the online version, the magazine concluded that most fantasy RPG players would be disappointed when Betrayal at Krondor, Lands of Lore, and other alternatives were available.[3]

Remake

[edit]

MedievaLands is a complete remake of The Shadow of Yserbius and its sequel, The Fates of Twinion. In addition to support for modern Windows and macOS platforms, MedievaLands adds quality of life and gameplay functionality inspired by successors of the original games.[4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Announcing The New Premier Awards". Computer Gaming World. June 1994. pp. 51–58.
  2. ^ Baker, Samuel II (May 1993). "A Trip Into the Fiery Environs of TSN's Yserbius". Computer Gaming World. p. 78. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  3. ^ Yee, Bernie (February 1994). "Role-Playing Reversal". Computer Gaming World. pp. 144, 146.
  4. ^ "MedievaLands News". September 14, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2022. This new UI is meant to be more understandable for new players by relying on commonly understood modern user interface principles that advertise to the player how they may explore and interact with the game.
[edit]
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