Roberta Williams

Posted by Philip Jong.
First posted on 16 July 2006. Last updated on 13 March 2008.
Articles  »  Interviews

No adventure game designer had ever achieved the level of success as Roberta Heuer Williams (Roberta Williams) had. Born in 1953, she and her husband Ken Williams co-founded On-Line Systems, which later became Sierra On-Line, when she was only 26. Mystery House, which she wrote in 1979, was the first graphic adventure game ever created for the PC. Her portfolio of games, spanning over nearly 20…

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Excellent

I am one of the four guys that owned Dynamix when Sierra bought us out.  Roberta and Ken are good folks.  I’m glad that they are enjoying life.

United States By Kevin • On 17 July 2006 • From Shaver Lake, CA

Excellent

It’s good to hear from old friends :) and that’s what I consider the William’s and the whole Sierra On-Line staff...family/friends.
While it’s true that I once beta tested for “those hippies in the hills” when I lived in Fresno (and KQI was in concept) my love for the gang that onced worked under the water tower, with the mountains of Yosemite as there backdrop, goes well beyond the “love of the games” that they produced.
I used to brag aboutthe Customer Service department, using their daily routine as a living example of how to CARE for a customer (and Sally, I’ll never forget the personal tour you gave my son and I though the offices and warehouse :)--yeah, you know who you are)
While I also believe that the industry lost two of its greatest pioneers, I am very happy that “work” isn’t then center of Ken and Roberta’s lives. Enjoy life as long as you can, give thanks to the Creator for the ability to live life, and love all you come in contact with.
Blessings to you all!
Dave in the desert

United States By OakhurstRefugee • On 17 July 2006 • From Indio, CA, USA

Excellent

I would have to consider this interview ‘excellent’, not only because Roberts doesn’t give many interviews anymore, but also because of the terriffic incite she gave on Sierra. 

It was good to hear that she still considers her accomplishments in computer game designing as one of her most treasured experiences ever.  I was starting to think that she had forgotten her past, but this interview confirms that she stll recognizes what she has done for all of us.  that fact that she admits that KQ 8 couldve been better puts me at ease.

All in all, great interview.  I just wish I could look forward to playing her next game…

United States By Troy • On 17 July 2006 • From Florida, USA

Very Good

It’s wonderful to hear from Mrs. Williams after she has been out of computer gamers’ eye for so many years! For me, reading the interview was like hearing from a long-lost relative. Kudos to ACG for securing the interview.

I still own more than a dozen of Sierra’s games from the ‘80s and ‘90s (I’m keeping an old Apple IIgs just so I can show the games to my children someday!), and they’re cherished pieces of my childhood. It’s thrilling to see comments from so many other fans.

It would be wonderful to find a way to access the entirety of Sierra Online’s collections from the ‘80s and ‘90s. I hope the holders of the copyrights will either release the games into the public domain or release a series of comprehensive DVDs - a kind of Roberta Williams Anthology for all of Sierra’s adventure games (Space Quest, Police Quest, Leisure Suit Larry, etc.).

United States By Geoff Harriman • On 17 July 2006 • From Washington, DC

Excellent

It was fascinating to read about Ms. William’s priorities while designing games.  Thanks for a fun interview!

United States By Becky • On 17 July 2006 • From StonyBrook, New York

Good

Nice to hear Roberta is doing well. Good luck on the Irish project.

United States By Kirk Green • On 17 July 2006 • From Orange County, CA

Very Good

Colonel’s Bequest was the first computer video game that I purchased. I was thrilled to read this interview and hear that Roberta is doing well. I grew up with her adventure games and they had a great impact on me. I think the adventure genre is still alive and kicking with games like Syberia and Dreamfall.

United States By Anonymous • On 17 July 2006 • From New York, USA

Excellent

Very nice interview.. good to hear from Roberta again after all these years.
I’m looking forwards to reading that book when and if it’s released.. too bad she won’t make any more games though.. I could use a ‘real’ adventure game with some challenge, something that’s sadly lacking these days.
A DVD release of Phantasmagoria would also be awesome but I guess it’s doubtful that they still have the original footage?

Anyways, this interview got me all nostalgic.. time to get that Roberta Williams Anthology out of the closet (thank God I bought that collection back when it was first released!) :D

Norway By Øystein Lende Olsen • On 17 July 2006 • From Bryne, Norway

Excellent

Very nice interview, it filled a few gaps that I had about this incredible game designer. Hats off to the people behind this interview. I look forward to read her novels.

Sweden By Patrik Hildingsson • On 17 July 2006 • From Malmö, Sweden

Excellent

What a MILF! Uhn Uhn Uhn.

United States By Roofles • On 17 July 2006 • From Somewhere