Dragon’s Lair 3D
Developer: Dragonstone
Software
Publisher: Blue Byte Software
Platform:
Projected Release Date: Q1 2001
By Mike Schwab
As one of only three video games enshrined in the Smithsonian, the original
Dragon’s Lair (released in 1983) is a true classic. Now, 17 years
later, Dragonstone Software and the original Dragon’s Lair creators,
Don Bluth and Rick Dyer, are teaming up to update the world of Dirk the
Daring in full-blown beautiful 3D. The project is slated for a first-quarter
2001 release, and judging by some of the fantastic screenshots, this release
will thrill both new and old fans alike.
In case you need a refresher, the original Dragon’s Lair was one
of the first laserdisc-based arcade games. It consisted primarily of a
string of animated sequences or scenarios in which the player periodically
made decisions that would affect the main character, Dirk the Daring.
Dirk is on a quest to rescue the fair (and voluptuous) princess Daphne
from an evil wizard, and the choices you made would decide his fate. These
decisions were usually fairly simple–go left, go forward, or use your
sword. If, however, at any time you made the wrong decision, or even the
right decision at the wrong time, it was curtains for Dirk, and you would
need to restart the current scenario. It was unlike any video game at
the time (or probably since), and strangely enough, a majority of the
fun was simply watching the sequences play out.
Inevitably, the updated game will undergo a drastic change in gameplay
with the incorporation of a 3D third-person engine. However, the staff
at Dragonstone seems determined to keep the game authentic and true to
its roots. Most important in this endeavor was bringing back the original
team of Bluth (now head of animation at Fox) and Dyer to work on new animations
and designs for the game. The game will start off with 2D sequences (a
la the original) and eventually blend into the 3D world. Much of the original
music, sounds, and textures will be used or modified throughout to give
the game the same feel as its predecessor. After completion of the main
story, the endgame will fade back to a 2D world to complete the experience
and bring the game full-circle. Originally, there was talk of completely
separate 2D and 3D modes for playing the game, but it’s unclear if that
feature will make it into the final version.
Dragonstone has made it clear, however, that all of the original rooms
and monsters will be recreated in Dragon’s Lair 3D. Remember the
Giddy Goons? The Lizard King? The Dark Knight? They’re in there. Or how
about the Smithee room, or even Ye Olde Rapids? They’re in there too,
but with an extra dimension this time. In addition, there will be several
new creatures and rooms added to further enhance Dirk’s world. All told,
we should see 20 levels, each comprised of 15 to 20 rooms, and a total
of 27 different monsters. The 3D aspect will also allow for more exploration
in all areas of the game, and this in turn will lead to less linear gameplay
than in the original game. Puzzles will pop up throughout the adventure,
but they will be quick and simple to keep the gameplay moving along. Also
of note is the designers’ decision to keep the game cartoonlike and nonviolent–you
won’t see the blood and guts of Quake or Deus Ex here. In
this day and age, that’s extremely admirable.
Although originally planned only for the PC, the staff at Dragonstone
is investigating some of the next-generation consoles as well, such as
the Playstation 2 and the X-Box. Whatever form we see it in, Dragon’s
Lair 3D should be an interesting final product–if only to see what
the designers claim will be the biggest dragon ever to appear in a video
game.
