Roberta and Ken Williams on going back to game development for Colossal Cave 3D Adventure
It's the first game they've developed in over 25 years, and for them, it's all about honoring the original game.
A few weeks ago, we reported on the recently-announced remake of prolific adventure game Colossal Cave Adventure spearheaded by Sierra legends Roberta and Ken Williams. The project, Colossal Cave 3D Adventure, brings the classic text adventure into 3D with a game specifically designed for VR. And with the Williams and their new company Cygnus Entertainment on board, we know that this remake will honor the original.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Roberta and Ken Williams found themselves with plenty of time for new projects. Ken’s was a book on the history of Sierra while Roberta’s was a historical fiction novel set in mid-19th century Ireland. After these projects were complete and still with time on their hands, Ken began studying programming again — eventually leading to a desire to remake Colossal Cave Adventure in 3D using Unity.
The number one goal with this project, accordingly, isn’t making money; it’s doing the original game justice. As Ken Williams told Ars Technica in an extended interview: “For us, it’s not really about the money. If the game sinks or swims, it ain’t gonna change our life at all. So it’s really about, you know, honoring the original designers’ legacy.”
The Williams on Colossal Cave 3D Adventure
The original plan for the 3D remake wasn’t to do it in VR. However, the game’s artist Marcus Maximus Mera convinced the Williams that it would be a perfect fit for the game. Mera wasn’t the only one, either as Roberta explains:
Unity themselves wanted us to do [VR], too. And they were very helpful. So helpful to the point that we kind of had to do it […] but it’s a good thing.
Roberta Williams, Creative Director at Cygnus Entertainment
The two understand, of course, that the gaming landscape is not as it was when they worked at Sierra. There’s so much competition now making Colossal Cave 3D Adventure stand out is nigh-on impossible without the right tools and hooks. Thankfully, two revered developers tackling an equally revered adventure game almost sells itself, according to Ken:
Maybe Unity can tell us how many games a day are released […] but I suspect it’s a big number. Breaking out of the pack if you’re actually going to do something, it’s not all that easy. I said: “Roberta and I are well-known. Millions of people know us, and millions of people know that game. So if you’re going to try to break out of the pack, why not start with a known name?”
Ken Williams, Managing Partner at Cygnus Entertainment
Colossal Cave 3D Adventure is developed and published by Cygnus Entertainment. It will be available for PC and VR systems in Fall 2022.
Via Ars Technica.
