Hoyle's Official Book of Games
| Company type | Video game series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Predecessor | Sierra On-Line's Hi-Res Cribbage (1981) (spiritual predecessor) |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Founder | Warren Schwader (Lead Programmer and Designer for first volumes) |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Warren Schwader (Lead Programmer and Designer), Rob Atesalp (Composer and Sound Designer) |
| Products | Computer card games, board games, puzzles, dice, dominoes |
| Owner | Sierra On-Line (original), Encore Software (2005–2016) |
Hoyle's Official Book of Games—also known in later editions as Hoyle Classic, Hoyle Card Games, or collectively as the Hoyle Series—is a collection of computer games launched between 1989 and 2016. Originally developed and published by Sierra On-Line, this series primarily focuses on playing cards but also encompasses board games, puzzles, dice, and dominoes. In 1996, it gave rise to a spin-off titled Hoyle Casino, which specialized in casino-style table games and slot machines.
The series takes its name from the 18th-century card authority Edmond Hoyle and incorporated licensed trademarks from the Hoyle playing cards brand through Brown & Bigelow. Early installments were identified by volume numbers and featured AI opponents with humorous personalities drawn from Sierra’s game franchises. Subsequent releases shifted towards annual editions or concentrated on particular categories of games.
Publishing rights were acquired by Encore Software from 2005 until 2016, who later introduced the Encore Classic Games lineup in 2020.
Volume 1
Hoyle's Official Book of Games: Volume 1 marked the debut card game simulator in the series and served as a spiritual successor to Sierra’s Hi-Res Cribbage (1981). It offered five multiplayer card games alongside Klondike Solitaire, utilizing officially licensed Hoyle trademarks and face cards sourced from Brown & Bigelow Inc.
Games
The included titles were: Crazy Eights, Old Maid, Hearts, Gin Rummy, Cribbage, and Klondike.
Characters
Players could choose from AI opponents exhibiting unique playing styles, including historical figures, Sierra employees, and characters borrowed from Sierra’s gaming catalog. When players hesitated during their turn, opponents would engage in thematic banter—for example, Leisure Suit Larry made remarks about women, while Roger Wilco attempted to flee the game environment.
Prominent characters featured:
- Sonny Bonds
- Bulldog
- Cassie
- Christina
- Devin
- Diane
- Colonel Henri Dijon
- King Graham
- The Kid
- Larry Laffer
- Shelly LeBlanc
- Lenny
- Jerry Moore
- Princess Rosella
- Warren Schwader
- Sol Silverman
- Thelma
- Roger Wilco
Development
The initial concept was proposed to Ken Williams, founder and CEO of Sierra On-Line, by Warren Schwader. Upon receiving approval, Schwader took on the roles of Lead Programmer and Game Designer. Development utilized Sierra's proprietary scripting language, the Sierra Creative Interpreter (SCI), originally intended for adventure titles. Modifying SCI to handle card game mechanics and AI behavior posed considerable technical challenges.
Schwader maintained his leadership as Lead Programmer and Designer for the subsequent two installments, while Rob Atesalp contributed as composer and sound designer for the first three volumes.
Reception
By 1990, sales had surpassed 250,000 copies.
Volume 2
Hoyle's Official Book of Games: Volume 2 broadened the series’ scope by introducing 28 solitaire variations, a significant increase compared to the six games offered in Volume 1. Unlike its predecessor, this edition focused exclusively on single-player solitaire experiences without featuring Sierra character opponents.
The solitaire games included are: Calculation, Strategy, Eagle Wing, Beleaguered Castle, Klondike, Canfield, Golf, Flower Garden, Scorpion, Spiderette, La Belle Lucie, Fortress, Baker's Dozen, Bristol, Eight Off, Shamrocks, Yukon, Eliminator, Slide, Bowling, Nestor, Aces Up, Gaps, Penguin, Pyramid, Triplets, and Poker Square.
Volume 3
Hoyle's Official Book of Games: Volume 3 represented a transition to board games powered by Sierra's upgraded VGA engine. This edition included officially licensed Hoyle rules for titles such as Backgammon, Checkers, Dominoes, Yacht—the forerunner to Yahtzee—Pachisi, and Snakes and Ladders.
Characters
In contrast to Volume 2 but similar to the first installment, this edition features Sierra characters as opponents in various games. Although these characters do not engage in conversations like in the initial volume, some deliver occasional themed remarks or catchphrases, albeit infrequently. For example, the Sheriff dubs himself the "Great Nottingham," while Baba Yaga refers to her adversaries as 'dearie.' The nature of character comments varies depending on the game, with certain titles eliciting more specific dialogue and others more generic responses.
- Heroes
- Mother Goose (from Mixed-Up Mother Goose)
- King Graham (from the King's Quest series)
- Rosella (from the King's Quest series)
- Larry Laffer (from the Leisure Suit Larry series)
- Passionate Patti (from the Leisure Suit Larry series)
- Jones (from Jones in the Fast Lane)
- Sonny Bonds (from the Police Quest series)
- Roger Wilco (from the Space Quest series)
- Laura Bow (from The Colonel's Bequest and The Dagger of Amon Ra)
- Villains
- Ad Avis (from Quest for Glory II)
- Baba Yaga (from Quest for Glory I)
- Lillian (from The Colonel's Bequest)
- Arnoid (from Space Quest III)
- Mordack (from King's Quest V)
- Mr. Big (from Leisure Suit Larry V)
- Lolotte (from King's Quest IV)
- Vohaul (from Space Quest II)
- Sheriff of Nottingham (from Conquests of the Longbow)
Hoyle Classic Card Games (Hoyle 4)
Hoyle Classic Card Games (also known as Hoyle 4) is a VGA remake of Volume I that incorporates voice acting and an original musical score. Players could select between two character ensembles: 'Classic Characters' and Sierra personalities, some returning from Volume 3. During loading screens, Classic characters offered witty remarks related to the loading process. The game expanded its roster to eight card games, introducing Contract Bridge and Euchre.
Each character was equipped with five distinct voiced lines—used to react to moves or respond to compliments and insults—along with additional themed text messages linked to gameplay events. Characters did not engage in dialogue outside of active play. The visual style featured artwork and sprites rendered in a traditional sepia-toned aesthetic.
Classic characters:
- Dinky
- Scout
- Crazy Jack
- Trudy
- Josephine
- Billy Joe
- Chip
- Winthorp
- Fairbanks
Sierra characters:
- King Graham
- Pepper
- Willy Beamish
- Larry Laffer
- Quarky
- Laura Bow
- Adam
- Roger Wilco
- Dr. Brain
Hoyle Classic Games (Hoyle 5)
Released on CD-ROM in 1995, this edition broadened character options to more than thirty, including selections categorized as 'animated,' 'icon,' and 'business' styles.
Characters
- Animated
- Jeb
- Leopold
- Natasha
- Stella
- Luke
- Sam
- Capt. Barnes
- Beatrice
- Dorothie
- Toby
- Finnian
- Business
- Noel
- Lance
- Beverly
- Rose
- Sharon
- Roger
- Jim
- Heidi
- Kate
- Maxwell
- Phillip
Other titles in the franchise
Starting in the mid-1990s, the Hoyle series expanded with annual releases, often focusing on particular game categories. These editions mainly targeted PC platforms unless specified otherwise:
- Hoyle Casino series (1996–2016)
- Hoyle Children's Collection (1996, 2007)
- Hoyle Classic Solitaire (1996, 1998)
- Hoyle Classic Board Games (1997)
- Hoyle Bridge (1997)
- Hoyle Card Games (1997–2005, 2010, 2012; reissued as Encore Classic Card Games in 2020)
- Hoyle Board Games (1998–2002)
- Hoyle Battling Ships & War (1998)
- Hoyle Bridge & Euchre (1998, 1999)
- Hoyle Hearts & Spades (1998, 1999)
- Hoyle Classic Games 2 (1999)
- Hoyle Word Games (1999–2001)
- Hoyle Backgammon & Cribbage (1999)
- Hoyle Solitaire and Mahjong Tiles (1999, 2000)
- Hoyle Crosswords (1999)
- Hoyle Card Games (Game Boy Color; 2000)
- Hoyle Kids Games (2000, 2001)
- Hoyle Mahjong Tiles (2000)
- Hoyle Puzzle Games (2002, 2003)
- Hoyle Table Games (2003)
- Hoyle Majestic Chess (2003)
- Hoyle Puzzle & Board Games (2004, 2008, 2009, 2012; reissued as Encore Classic Puzzle & Board Games in 2020)
- Hoyle Backgammon (2006)
- Hoyle Enchanted Puzzles (2008)
- Hoyle Classic Board Games Collection and its follow-up (2012)
- Hoyle Official Card Games Collection (2015; reissued as Encore Card Games Collection, 2019)
Compilations
Prominent Hoyle collections include:
- Xplosiv (2001) – featuring Board, Card, and Casino games
- Hoyle Collection (2003) – comprising Card and Casino games
- Hoyle Games 2003
- Hoyle Classic Games Pack: Fun for the Whole Family (2003) – containing Hoyle Classic Games 2, Slots/Video Poker, Solitaire/Mahjong, and Friday Night Poker
- Hoyle Game Collection (2001) – including Board Games, Card Games, Texas Hold'Em, Slots, and Video Poker
- Hoyle Card, Puzzle & Board Games (2013) – merging the 2012 Card and Puzzle & Board editions
- The Ultimate Hoyle Anniversary Collection (2013) – encompassing Card Games, Casino Games, Slots (2009), and Puzzle & Board Games
Critical response
According to Computer Gaming World, while interactions with Sierra characters in Volume 1 introduced humor, they could irritate players primarily interested in card gameplay. The review pointed out slow performance issues in Volume 1 and departures from official Hoyle cribbage rules. Other games included were mainly aimed at children and were considered to offer limited engagement.