Roberta Williams

Posted by Philip Jong.
First posted on 16 July 2006. Last updated on 13 March 2008.
Articles  »  Interviews
Want more information? Read the article!

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…

• (30) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink

Enter Your Comments

Name

Email (optional)

City, Country

Rate this article
1 (Poor) 2 (Fair) 3 (Good) 4 (Very Good) 5 (Excellent)

Message

Submit the word below for security verification


Previous Comments

Very Good

It's nice to hear that Roberta is still there. It's been a very long time since I've heard of her.

I'm surprised nothing was mentioned about The Silver Lining, though...

Ireland By Aaron • On 07 August 2006 • From Naas, Ireland

Excellent

The reason why Roberta was and still is a legend in gaming is not only the superior work she did in the genera of adventure gaming, but because she is the most publicised female programmer our generation. I thank her not for being a women in a man dominated profession, but because she showed me from an early age that there were women in the gaming industry and if I worked hard enough that I could achieve the same success in the computer industry. It was only in my twenties that people put doubt into my head that I couldn’t do it because of my gender. Simply Roberta was one of many people in my life that inspired to follow my dreams of working in the computer industry and her games helped sparked the excitement in what I do. So thank you Roberta for being yourself and producing quality work that inspired young minds.

Canada By Christine • On 02 August 2006 • From Canada

"No adventure game designer had ever achieved the level of success as Roberta Heuer Williams (Roberta Williams) had"

Hmm.. okay. First of all Kings Quest sucked, and not just a little... it sucked a lot (of course that's an opinion, but one shared by many I'm sure).

Secondly, there can be no question that Richard Garriot, despite being somewhat of an eccentric asshole (I used to work for him, BTW) achieved far more success as an adventure game designer than Mrs. Williams.

United States By John • On 30 July 2006 • From Somewhere

Excellent

Excellent interview guys! It's always nice to go down memory lane and remember the good 'ol times when Sierra still made adventure games, and I'm glad to hear they're enjoying life. Like so many others I just wish these guys would come back to revitalize the genre, as that's probably what it'd take.

United States By Bjorn Karlsson • On 19 July 2006 • From Calabasas, California

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
Page < 1 2 3 >