Hey
This is going to sound like a dumb idea but someone out there (maybe POS if they can at some point in the future) can make a ''rebuild'' of MoE. Not with new or improved graphics, but the MoE that should've (and could've been) released in 1996; same graphics as it would've had. The original MoE had two extra levels (An underwater level and something else), a deeper plot, (supposedly) less action, a Daventry closer to the one featured in the original games and a deeper subplot with the Swamp Witch.
Here's some pics to show how MoE evolved and what it could've been
Connor, 1996 version:
(http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/2303/moespe4yw4.jpg)
(http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/9237/moespe5ec6.jpg) The Well from KQI!
(http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/957/100pxconnorconceptzo5.jpg)
Daventry lake, with Hyra (cut from final game)
(http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/5328/120pxcuthydrals9.jpg)
Swamp Witch, Human Form (cut from final game)
(http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/8956/90pxdisguisedswampwitchdj1.jpg)
Daventry Leprechaun, cut from final game
(http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/2425/90pxconceptleprichaunwk5.jpg)
Connor, 1997 version
(http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/1576/moespe6ph2.jpg)
Screenshots, 1997 version
Link (http://members.aol.com/sierranewsone/galleries/moegal.htm)
Connor, released version
(http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/9571/moespe7as1.jpg)
Screenshots, released version:
Link (http://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/kings-quest-mask-of-eternity/screenshots)
The Mask (1996-1997 Version)
(http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/7554/moespe1zj2.jpg)
The Mask, released version
(http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/1324/maskrt0.gif)
Here's a video of the 1996-1997 version of MoE. If you notice, the Frozen Reaches looks much different and Daventry is a bright, shiny place with lots of green trees (as opposed to the dark, dreary Daventry with dead trees) and the Towne (as featured in the novels) You can also get glimpses of the cut water level.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS1sPZ1PdbI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS1sPZ1PdbI)
EDIT (By Yonkey): Forum stretching.
Frozen Reaches:
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/MithosYggdrasil/snowmane.jpg)
Was the Snow Mane ever going to be visible?
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/MithosYggdrasil/snoheal.jpg)
Snow Nymph Healer
(The Snow Nymph the Gryph was hassling was a Mage, BTW)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/MithosYggdrasil/iceserp.jpg)
An ice serpent that would have inhabited the lake.
Dimension of Death:
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/MithosYggdrasil/BIGSKLTN.jpg)
A skeleton king?
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/MithosYggdrasil/Skeltnew.jpg)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/MithosYggdrasil/RedSkeleton.jpg)
A reddish skeleton with glowing red eyes.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/MithosYggdrasil/Weeper12.jpg)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/MithosYggdrasil/RedWeeper.jpg)
A red weeper.
That would be awesome, But I think it may be unlikely so far. Although, I have heard that someone has started, or intends to start.... I cannot be sure however...
If I had any programming/mapping knowledge I'd probably use the Thief or thief 3 engine and add a stealth element to it. Why kill things if you could find a non-violent way to sneak past them?
Plus I'd find alternate ways and more puzzle like ways to get past bosses, although I'd still leave in a violent way for those who want to do it the old way.
Lol, I'd love to see a (non-violent) remake to MOE. :D
Well, if you replace all the weapons with balloon animals I'm all for it. ;-D
I'm not sure how a non-violent MoE could possibly work.
Now a QFG-style MoE on the other hand...
In the meanwhile, we should probably discuss this in the right topic.
Ya, I could see it becoming more quest for glory like.
I've added a few more details of pre-alpha/alpha version of MoE to early concepts section of the Omnipedia, and a scan of one of the removed enemy types, fire bugs.
http://www.sq7.org/KQ/index.php/King's_Quest_VIII