The King's Quest Companion
| Company type | Publication |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video game guidebooks, Novelizations |
| Founder | Peter Spear |
| Products | Walkthroughs and novelizations of the King's Quest series |
| Parent | Silicon Valley Books (1st to 3rd editions), Osborne/McGraw-Hill (4th edition) |
The King's Quest Companion is a publication authored by Peter Spear that serves dual purposes: it acts as both a comprehensive walkthrough and a full novelization of every installment in the King's Quest series created by the original Sierra On-Line company. The initial three editions were released by Silicon Valley Books, while the fourth edition was published under Osborne/McGraw-Hill. The novelization for King's Quest VI was contributed by guest author Eluki Bes Shahar.
Roberta Williams provided some influence on the project and endorsed the books, offering feedback on the game narratives.[1]
- "The King's Quest Companion uniquely combines fictional storytelling with practical guidance for playing my games. Anyone interested in uncovering the stories behind King's Quest or needing assistance to progress will find this book extremely useful."[2]
Background
The inaugural edition encompassed the first four games, with each subsequent release incorporating the newest title. The final, fourth edition expanded coverage through the seventh game.
These walkthroughs are presented as novelizations narrated by fictional characters such as Derek Karlavaegen—also appearing in the King's Quest 6 manual—and other figures from the game manuals or in-game lore. These narrators provide hints embedded within their storytelling. The earliest two editions featured "An Encyclopedia of Daventry," which offered additional lore and expanded context related to the games. The conceit is that these "novels" were transmitted from an alternate universe via a device known as the "Eye Between the Worlds."[3]
Description
In The King's Quest Companion, Spear theorizes that Daventry exists on a separate dimension where magical beings sought refuge as scientific progress advanced in our reality.
According to Spear, his information comes from Derek Karlavaegen, a Daventry scribe who, after interviewing Prince Alexander about his escape from the wizard Manannan, took up residence in Llewdor within Manannan's former home. There he uncovered "The Eye Between the Worlds," a device capable of facilitating communication across different realities. Using this apparatus, he reportedly transmitted accounts to Spear detailing King Graham and his family's adventures as depicted in the King's Quest series.
Spear further suggests that this Eye is depicted in King's Quest III as an object resembling a computer monitor located on Manannan's bookshelf.
Novelizations
- King's Quest I – penned by an anonymous Daventry scribe
- King's Quest II – authored by Prime Minister Gerwain (from KQ2 manual)
- King's Quest III – structured as an interview between Derek Karlavaegan and Alexander-Gwydion
- King's Quest IV – written by Queen Valanice
- King's Quest V – transcribed by Derek Karlavaegan based on King Graham’s narrative
- King's Quest VI – transcribed by Derek Karlavaegan from Alexander’s recounting
- King's Quest VII – composed by an unidentified writer
Other articles
- Read Me First: Peter Spear explains how this book functions simultaneously as a solution guide and historical reference.
- Introduction: Spear describes his initial encounter with King's Quest, early communications from Derek Karlavaegen, hypotheses regarding parallel worlds including Daventry as a 'pocket universe,' and his collaboration with Roberta Williams to bring this book to publication.
- The Eye Between the Worlds: Derek details his experiences communicating between realms and highlights Roberta Williams’s role as the 'great dreamer.'
- The World of Daventry: Derek outlines geographical aspects of Daventry, including evolving maps used to support his theories.
- A Magical Primer: Alexander of Daventry discusses magic and spells found in The Sorcery of Old, reprinting KQ3 spells accompanied by additional background.
- Grave Matters: Presents "Ten Days in Tamir" from the Telltale Traveler, covering travel accounts, haunted sites, and gravestone inscriptions from KQ4.
- Iconomancy: A Magic Without Words: Alexander examines Iconamancy magic and his research into "The Objurgation of Souls," connected to KQ5.
- From the Land of Green Isles: Derek apologizes for previous omissions regarding the Green Isles and recounts his experiences there. Peter Spear adds editorial commentary on collaborations with Roberta Williams, eluki bes shahar, and Jane Jensen—highlighting Jensen’s inclusion of an adapted guidebook with KQ6.
- From the Eye Between the Worlds: Spear addresses skepticism around documents related to KQ7. Derek comments on rumors involving Rosella and Edgar, mentioning possible influence from another 'great dreamer.'
- The Easy Way Out: Provides detailed walkthroughs for each King's Quest game along with Spear’s reflections on game reality versus storytelling, plus his 12 Rules for Computer Games and Graham’s Rules for Adventuring.
- An Encyclopedia of Daventry: Included in early editions, this section supplies a glossary and background stories for various elements of Daventry—from mythical creatures to zombies.
Sierra Involvement
The King's Quest Companion was created with considerable collaboration from Sierra staff and is cited in subsequent Sierra publications.
Roberta Williams played a role in the development of the books by offering support and granting access to ongoing projects. During the chapter creation process, Peter Spear frequently sought advice from her and other game developers such as Jane Jensen. Williams officially endorsed the Companion, describing it as an invaluable tool that enriches the King's Quest experience and is indispensable for enthusiasts desiring comprehensive knowledge.
Ken Williams, former owner of Sierra On-line, along with his brother John Williams, provided foundational support for the project, which was vital to its realization. Peter Spear worked closely with Jane Jensen on content related to KQ6 (with the primary novelization authored by eluki bes shahar) and partnered with Lorelei Shannon on material for the 4th Edition and the King's Quest VII: Authorized Guide. Other Sierra contributors included Bill Davis, Dennis Jonathan, Kirk Green, Anita Greene, Liz Jacobs, Mark Seibert, Marc Hudgins, Jonk Meek, Dan Rogers, Jerry Bowerman, and Joe Escalle.
The author’s cooperation with game designers and Sierra’s publishing team offered valuable behind-the-scenes perspectives that shaped game elements (King's Quest I–V), official manuals, hint guides (such as KQ6 and KQ7 authored by Lorelei Shannon), and other authorized publications like the Guidebook to the Land of the Green Isles and King's Questions. Excerpts from the Companion were also featured in Sierra’s Interaction Magazine and included in King's Quest Collection editions to promote the franchise, share background lore, and provide gameplay assistance.
Reception
Editors at Computer Gaming World highlighted that The King's Quest Companion transcends a typical hint or reference book; it acts as a genuine companion. They suggested using it alongside the games to significantly enrich the player’s experience.
Reviews
Bibliography
- Spear, Peter. The King's Quest Companion, 4th Edition (Covering Games I–VII). McGraw-Hill; 4th edition (July 1997). ISBN 007882401X ISBN 978-0078824012