The Silver Lining – Episode: Two Households is around the corner, and you will be able to play as Graham once more as he continues his journey through the Green Isles.

Less than 12 hours to go!

Are you as excited as we are??

Hello everyone,

First coverage from the press on Episode 2: Two Households surfaces!

You can read more on Joystiq and The Escapist.

More details to be revealed soon!

Many of you have been wondering where Episode 2 is, and when is the release date. We don’t quite have a release date for you yet, but we do have some excellent progress to tell you about!

We’ve been busy bees with Episode 2! Based on the feedback we got from Episode 1, we have been able to address many of the issues from the first episode. These are the areas in which we are making improvements:

1 ) Extended Narrations vs Short Narrations: You can flip the switch at any point during the game in the Audio options screen.
2 ) Pathfinding: We’ve improved the algorithm, thanks to our programmers. We are now in the process of cleaning the walking areas to fit it.
3 ) Graham’s walking animations: We are adding a motion capture walk to Graham.
4 ) Walk/Run switch: We now have the ability to switch between walking and running. This hasn’t been fully implemented yet because we were having troubles with the motion capture, but that’s been resolved and we are closing on this soon.
5 ) Full widescreen support: Yay! You won’t get black bars on the sides anymore. We had to compromise on scenes losing some height, but it’s much better than I thought it’d be.
6 ) Subtitles options: Subtitles now come in three sizes! Choose what suits your eyes better!
7 ) Game length: We’ve had betatesters go through the whole game on first time without a walkthrough, and we can confirm that it’s taken them about 4 hours to complete.
8 ) Puzzles, puzzles and more puzzles!: Yes, there are puzzles a-plenty to keep you entertained!
9 ) New locations: There are a total 17 locations in the game, ranging from the Isle of Mists, to a full sunny Isle of the Crown, and the brand new Isle of Wonders.

Now, where do we stand with it right now? We are at the point where two scenes need some good work (the ending cutscene, and the Inner Gardens day scene), we are closing all the other scenes, and moving them to the Episode 2 build. So far, we’ve moved 4 of them, 3 of them just became clear today to move, and 3 more will come this weekend. Then next week we’ll work on closing the others. Right now, we have about 90 bugs open and we are in the process of closing them as quickly as we can.

What’s this mean? It means that for now all we can say with confidence that Episode 2 is slated for September. We’ll announce the final date when we get the first build completed. From that point, it’s two weeks to release, to give us the window for testing and finishing the last touches.

I can in all honestly say that Episode 2: Two Households is looking GOOD! We’ve got busy days ahead of us, but the day when you will have it in your hands is drawing close!

And yes, we are tired. Just to illustrate what we’ll all be doing the day after release, I leave you with a new screenshot from Episode 2. 😉

Love and yawns,
Cesar

We are thrilled that Episode 1 is finally released and in your hands to enjoy, and we’ve been getting some great feedback on it so far from both fans and the media. Here’s what some of our reviewers (and creators) have had to say!

“I am deeply honored that a group of devoted fans have dedicated themselves to reviving the characters, lands and quests of my adventure game series, King’s Quest. Without the bravery and persistence of these volunteers – and it should be stressed that this game was developed by fans over ten long years without pay and in their own free time — it is almost certain that King’s Quest would have been relegated to a forgotten obscurity – its story left untold. Now, there is a chance that many can truly find out what happens to the royal family of the Kingdom of Daventry.

This game is very true to the original series and features many of the storylines and characters, especially, of King’s Quest VI. I found it beautiful and fun to play. I, too, like many other fans, would like to see how this story unfolds!” – Roberta Williams (King’s Quest Series Creator)

“We are amazed that your group has done this!” – Ken Williams (Founder of Sierra On-Line)

“It’s the detail in the writing that is most impressive (….) And extraordinarily for such a project, it’s all voice acted. And even more extraordinarily, it’s voiced extremely well (…) That there are such impressive cutscenes, huge amounts of dialogue, and piles of love poured in, is a remarkable achievement. The team deserve enormous congratulations.” – Rock Paper Shotgun

“The world looks better than what Telltale has done for Sam and Max. The script is professionally written, and the voice-acting professional and crisp — even the narrator is brought to life by a new female voice and some of the jokes, while contrived, are at least somewhat funny feeding off nostalgia of old King’s Quest games (…) The Silver Lining is worth every minute of your time.” – Asian Girl Gamer

“”All in all, the worth of The Silver Lining is tremendous despite its shortcomings. Its nostalgic and sentimental value is first on the list, along with its testament to the ability of fans to resurrect what they truly love. The symbolic meaning is there as well, since this game will always serve as a reminder of how gamers can stand up to major publishers and emerge victorious. The game’s own merit is not to be dismissed either, especially considering that it was made by people with no previous development experience. Finally, the return on your investment is overwhelming, since TSL costs exactly zero dollars and zero cents. Go and download it right now.” – The Adrenaline Vault

“Once you start playing, it will not take long for nostalgia to set in. The developers did not get the license to use the King’s Quest name, but apart from that, this is a true sequel to the classics in every sense (…) If you like adventure games, you should go get this game right now.” – ClassicGameRoom

“It’s all quite playable for fans of the genre, and quite frankly it’s better than some fully professionally produced PC adventure games I’ve played recently.” – Wired

“If you are a fan of King’s Quest, this fan-created continuation will not let you down. Aimed at King’s Quest connoisseurs, if you will, this game includes nice references to the story line that it follows. It also is fun in the nostalgic jokes that it jabs at you, the player, and even at Graham, the hero.” – Impulse Gamer

“To King’s Quest fans, or even those curious about the series to whatever extent, this ’teaser episode’ shows a lot of promise. It’s clear that the developers have all of the framework for a good King’s Quest game, and it’s equally clear that this is a labor of love. If you go in with realistic expectations, knowing that this episode is meant to build interest for the rest of the set and get players introduced to the story, then you’ll probably be quite happy after you check this out. The potential is there, so here’s hoping the rest of The Silver Lining builds on an excellent start!” – Gamers Daily News

“The cutscenes are well-done from a directorial standpoint: the camera is always artfully placed, and some of the imagery does a lot with a little bit of processing power. (…) The compositions are all original, and we hope the musicians responsible for them get paying work as a result of the great job they did here. (…) The Silver Lining could be a real contribution to retro adventure gaming. Episode 1 is far from a masterpiece, but it could be the prelude to one. And as far as price goes, you can’t beat free.” -CheatsCC

“Everything seemed so familiar, but strangely different. That is due in part to everything being rendered in 3D. The creators took great pains to plan their shots and camera movements in cut scenes, which you’ll see a lot of in this chapter.” — Just Adventure

“The game is driven by a strong narrative (…) It’s not perfect by any means…but it’s a free game made by fans and it’s a damn good effort. You can hear the love that’s gone into it as the narrator describes things and makes her little asides. ” ReadyUp

“It’s definitely worth a look for anyone with fond memories of classic graphic adventures. When you first start up the game, you’re likely to be surprised by how great the game looks and sounds, given its “fan project” history. ” – Gamers With Casts

“The graphics are very good, bringing King’s Quest into the 3D world while somehow keeping the essential atmosphere of the original games. Some of the animation is quite jerky but otherwise it’s very impressive visually. The music is very good, voice-acting too is good quality. I’m not entirely convinced that having descriptions narrated instead of shown as text is a great idea, but both the characters’ dialogue and cheesy jokes in the narration are done in true King’s Quest style.” – Captain D

“The Great: After all these years, it’s fantastic to have a new King’s Quest. The good:You can do anything with the proper effort. Major credit must go out to the developers, Phoenix Online, because they’ve proven that the impossible is possible with enough determination. Congratulations guys; you have accomplished your dream.” – Project C.O.E.

“The game is highly cinematic and the opening sequence sets the stage for the quest on which you are about to embark. The cinematics are done well and draw you into the story.” – Family Friendly Gaming

“It’s pretty, it’s free, and it has a ton of promise. Why look a gift horse in the mouth? Give it a try, if only to be wowed by just how dedicated and talented these fans/developers are.” – GamesRadar

“It is a good first step and a positive move forward for a long dead series.” – Colony of Gamers

A new interview with This Is My Joystick is now available. Click here to read it!

Are you looking to build up a great portfolio? Want to better your skill sets and experience? Phoenix Online Studios offers you a great opportunity to do this while at the same time, the understanding of what it is to make a game!

We have the following positions open:

* Animator
* Environment Artist
* Navigation Programmer
* Tools Programmer
* Video Editor
* QA Tester

If interested, follow this link for more information. We want to hear from you!

At Long Last, King’s Quest Fans See The Silver Lining
Highly anticipated fan game premieres today for free at www.tsl-game.com

SACRAMENTO, CALIF., July 10, 2010 – It’s a tribute fit for a king. After eight years of volunteer effort, Phoenix Online Studios’ long-awaited fan game The Silver Lining can be enjoyed by the venerable King’s Quest series’ millions of fans around the world. The first of five PC game episodes, “What Is Decreed Must Be,” is now available for free download from http://www.tsl-game.com. Additional installments are planned to release throughout 2010.

“I am deeply honored that a group of devoted fans have dedicated themselves to reviving the characters, lands, and quests of my adventure game series,” says King’s Quest creator and Sierra On-Line cofounder Roberta Williams. “Without the bravery and persistence of these volunteers, it is almost certain that King’s Quest would have been relegated to a forgotten obscurity—its story left untold. Now there is a chance to truly find out what happens to the royal family of the Kingdom of Daventry. I, like many other fans, would like to see how this story unfolds!”

Picking up where Sierra’s original King’s Quest series left off, “What Is Decreed Must Be” opens with what should be a joyous celebration in the Land of the Green Isles. Upon the arrival of a black-cloaked stranger, however, revelry turns to tragedy as the royal twins Alexander and Rosella fall victim to a mysterious curse. Now patriarch King Graham must don his feathered adventurer’s cap once again and set out on a quest to save his family—and to bring the beloved franchise into the new millennium.

The ambitious fan game rivals a commercial release, with polished 3D artwork, high-quality animation, an original soundtrack, and a voice cast that includes professional off-Broadway actors. At one point during The Silver Lining’s long development, the team topped out at 70 volunteers. Through it all the project has been met with overwhelming community and media support.

“The Silver Lining may have started out as a game made by fans, for fans, but over the years we’ve been fortunate to assemble an extremely talented team,” says designer / producer César Bittar, one of Phoenix Online Studios’ founding members. “Creating this game has been an incredible learning experience. Now we’re looking toward the future. The Silver Lining is only the beginning…”

With their fan project nearing completion, the team behind The Silver Lining has revealed that they will next turn their focus to commercial projects. A new episodic adventure game, Corridor 9, is in the early stages of development. More information about Phoenix Online Studios can be found at http://www.postudios.com/company.

To download “What Is Decreed Must Be,” learn more about The Silver Lining, and become part the game’s active fan community, please visit http://www.tsl-game.com.

About Phoenix Online Studios

Established in 2004 and previously known as “Phoenix Freeware Online,” Phoenix Online Studios began as a group of King’s Quest fans that came together to create an unofficial sequel to the series. Their first project, The Silver Lining, has been called one of the most ambitious fan projects ever made and has garnered attention from publications such as CNN, PC Gamer, Computer Gaming World, Game Informer, Edge, GamesTM, 1UP, Kotaku, and Joystiq, among others. The team is excited to finally unveil the long-awaited The Silver Lining to the world.

Phoenix Online Studios is currently working on their first commercial endeavors. More information about Phoenix Online Studios can be found on the company’s website, http://www.postudios.com.

Welcome back!

Here’s a very special from Graham (Jason Victor) and Hassan (Russ Crespolini). We are minutes away from the release now! Take a look below!

The Episodes page is now live! Go take a look!

You can currently only access Episode 1, but as a little gift, we’ll give you all the Episodes names:

Episode 1: What Is Decreed Must Be
Episode 2: Two Households
Episode 3: My Only Love Sprung From My Only Hate
Episode 4: ‘Tis In My Memory Locked, And You Yourself Shall Hold The Key Of It
Episode 5: A Thousand Times Goodnight

Yes, they all belong to a certain English author. And, yes, they all have to do with what goes on in the episode. Care to make your own theories?

Only hours away now!!!

Can’t wait until tomorrow? Here’s something to wet your mouths!
G4tv.com has posted, as an exclusive, the introduction video to The Silver Lining. Watch the 6+ minutes beautifully rendered video, featuring all the members of the Royal Family.

What are you waiting for? Head there NOW! (and while you are at it, do us a favor and leave a comment! Make it popular!)

Just 1 more day!!