Swordquest
| Swordquest | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Atari |
| Publisher(s) | Atari |
| Designer(s) | Dan Hitchens and Tod Frye |
| Platform(s) | Atari 2600 |
| Release | 1982-1983 |
| Genre(s) | Adventure game |
| Mode(s) | Single Player |
The Swordquest series of video games was produced by Atari as part of a contest. Each of the games came with a comic book that explained the plot, as well as containing part of the puzzle that had to be solved to win the contest.
The Swordquest series had its genesis as a possible sequel to the Adventure game, but quickly developed a mythology and system of play which was completely unique.
Gameplay
Each game had essentially the same gameplay. The character wanders through each screen, picking up and dropping items. If the correct items are placed in a room, a clue shows up, pointing the player to a page and panel in the comic book included with the game. There, the player would find a word that was hidden in that panel. If the player found all five, or in the case of Waterworld four, correct clues, they could send the sentence to Atari and have a chance to compete in the finals and win a prize. The person who managed to find the most clues within 90 minutes would be considered the winner. The winners of the four game contests would go on to a final competition where they would compete for a sword valued at $50,000. This final round did not occur because Atari canceled the contest shortly after the company was bought in 1984. The $50,000 sword is now owned by Jack Tramiel.
Earthworld
Earthworld was the first of the four games. Its room structure was based on the signs of the Zodiac.
Plot
The plot of the games revolves around a pair of twins named Tarra and Torr. Their parents were slain by King Tyrannus's guards due to a prophecy given by the king's wizard Konjuro. The twins were then raised as commoners by thieves to avoid being slain by the king. When they go to plunder Konjuro's sea keep, they accidentally reveal their identities to him. The twins then start running from a demon summoned to kill them, but it appears that the jewel they stole attracts it. After smashing the stone to avoid the demon, two of Tyrannus's old advisers come out and tell the two about the "Sword of Ultimate Sorcery" and the "Talisman of Penultimate Truth." They are then transported, by method of pit, to Earthworld.
Contest
Out of 5,000 entries, only eight people managed to find all five of the correct clues. Of those eight, Steven Bell, a 20 year old male, who lived near Detroit at the time, took first place and won the "Talisman of Penultimate Truth."
The Talisman was made of 18K solid gold, with 12 diamonds and the birthstones of the twelve Zodiac signs embedded in it, as well as a small sword made of white gold attached to the front. At the time of the contest, the Talisman was valued at $25,000. Steven Bell melted down the Talisman in order to pay for school.
Fireworld
Fireworld's room structure was based on the Tree of Life.
Plot
After defeating many beasts of the Zodiac and another thief (Herminus) in Earthworld, the twins are transported to the "central chamber" where the "Sword of Ultimate Sorcery" and the "Talisman of Penultimate Truth" are kept. Upon reaching them, the sword burns a hole through its altar all the way to Fireworld.
In Fireworld, the twins split up to look for water, and Torr, with the aid of the talisman, summons Mentorr who shows Torr the "Chalice of Light," which will quench his thirst. The twins reunite eventually and find the chalice. However, Torr drops it after he is startled, and it is revealed that the one they found was not the true chalice. Herminus then gives them the chalice, and it grows until it becomes large enough to swallow the twins and transports them to Waterworld.
Contest
As there were greater than the 50 planned participants, a much larger turn out than the previous contest, they held a second preliminary round where the contestants were told to write what they liked about the game. Out of the 50, Michael Rideout was the victor and received the "Chalice of Light."
The Chalice was made of gold and platinum and was adorned with citrines, diamonds, green jade, pearls, rubies, and sapphires. It was valued at $25,000 at the time of the contest. Michael Rideout keeps it in his safe deposit box.
Waterworld
Waterworld's room structure was based on the seven centers of Chakra. It was originally released only through the Atari Club.
Plot
Upon reaching Waterworld, the twins become separated. Tara travels to a ship made of ice, forgets her name, and meets Cap'n Frost, who desires to find the "Crown of Life" and rule Waterworld. While Tara's doing all that, Torr travels to an undersea kingdom, forgets his name and meets the city's ex-queen Aquana, who desires to find the "Crown of Life" in order to regain her throne.
After a brief war between the ex-queen and captain, Herminus sets the twins to duel each other. They then pray to their deities for guidance, which summons Mentorr who allows them to regain their memories. The twins throw down their swords, causing the crown to be revealed and split in half. Each half is given to both the ex-queen and the captain, who then rule as equals. The "Sword of Ultimate Sorcery " then transports the twins to Airworld where they would have to do battle with King Tyrannus and Konjuro. Or they would have, if the series hadn't been cut at this point.
Contest
The contest for Waterworld was canceled at the last minute. The two previous winners received $15,000 each and the winners of the preliminary round were each given $2,000.
The winner of this contest was supposed to win the "Crown of Life," which was made of gold and encrusted with aquamarines, diamonds, green tourmalines, rubies, and sapphires. It was valued at $25,000 when the game came out. As the contest was never held, it is very likely that the Crown Of Life grand prize is now owned by Jack Tramiel.
Airworld
Airworld was never finished, but according to the programmer, its room structure was going to be based upon the I Ching. Additionally, Tod Frye was planning on representing each room from 0 to 63 with an 8 bit number. Each bit would control a different aspect of the rules for that room (e.g. whether the player had to avoid or capture the enemies, whether the enemies attacked or avoided the player, whether the player or the enemies moved fast or slow) but this concept never got out of the design phase, and yielded some unplayable combinations, such as a slow player that had to capture fast moving enemies that avoided the player.
The winner of this contest was supposed to win a "Philosopher's Stone," which in this case was a large chunk of white jade in a 18K gold box encrusted with diamonds, emeralds, citrines, and rubies, valued at $25,000. As this game was never even finished. It is very likely that the Philosopher's Stone grand prize is now owned by Jack Tramiel.
Trivia
Sounds from Swordquest: Earthworld were used in the 2002 movie 'Solaris' directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring George Clooney. The sounds are used to represent the spaceship breaking up.
References
- Digital Press interview with Earthworld finalist James Schweitzer
- Digital Press interview with Fireworld winner Michael Rideout
- Atari Protos SwordQuest: AirWorld
- Atari Protos SwordQuest: EarthWorld
- Atari Protos SwordQuest: FireWorld
- Atari Protos SwordQuest: WaterWorld
- AtariAge entry for Swordquest: Earthworld
- AtariAge entry for Swordquest: Fireworld
- AtariAge entry for Swordquest: Waterworld
- AtariAge Comic Book Archive
- The SwordQuest Comic Book Archive
- Swordquest Interview With Michael Rideout
- Photos of SwordQuest:FireWorld], the chalice and the sword, found abandoned in a shoebox of old games.