Rare KQ4 Alternate Boxart

[Baggins]

So I understand there is a concept art out there for a prototype boxart for KQ4.

Apparently it appeared in some of early Sierra catalogs.

Basically it shows Lolotte ripping the amulet off of Genesta. Does anyone happen to have a copy of one of these catalogs?

I'd like a good scan without the watermarks if possible

[Haids1987]

Ooooh, I've never seen that one.  It's really cool!

[Baggins]

Rumor has it the box never went to print for several reasons.

1. It was seen as being too suggestive.
2. It was too violent.
3. It didn't have any of the main King's Quest characters.

Who knows.

[wilco64256]

My lack of knowledge about the boxes themselves could become obvious here, but don't all of the other boxes feature the playable characters in some way?  I don't see anything particularly wrong with that picture, but I could see people looking at it and thinking, "Rosella's going to have wings?"

[Baggins]

Well, not quite.

The original boxart for KQ1 was Graham in full armor. You'd never know it was him, LOL.

The second box (grey box) for KQ1 was a picture of the three treasures, and a robe and crown (no characters).

The box for KQ1 sega, has graham, but he's wearing a cape, has a sword, and isn't wearing his hat, so doesn't look like him much.

The alternate boxart for KQ7 was a castle and the volcano erupting over it.

The box for the third King's Quest Collection is a crown on a pile of skulls.

the box for the most recent collection is a generic wizard, looking at some guy fighting a dragon.

Through graham appears in KQ2 box, he's wearing strange 'uniquely' colored outfit, and he has a very dark tan skin (you can at least tell its him though).

Gwydion appears on KQ3 box, but wearing clothes much different than his clothes in the game.

[MusicallyInspired]

The box for the third King's Quest Collection is a skull on a pile of skulls.

And also two swords standing upright through a crown suspended in mid-air, which is being struck and charged by electricity.

[wilco64256]

Yep see I really don't know that much about the boxes themselves, especially for the collections.

[KatieHal]

It would be fair to say most of the boxes have the characters on them, at least. I can see why this one would get nixed for that reason--as much as I always loved the unicorn-riding Rosella on the released one, I did always wonder why the catalogs showed that picture and thought it was pretty cool too.

[Baggins]

What I find interesting is that Rosella has three times been shown riding on a horse or unicorn in artwork.

[KatieHal]

Girls love horses and unicorns. Especially princesses. Proven fact! 

[wilco64256]

Girls love horses and unicorns. Especially princesses. Proven fact! 

Yeah I guess girls who already are princesses don't really have that to wish for any more, so they have all kinds of extra time to get hung up on the pony/unicorn thing.

[Haids1987]

Psh, I have a unicorn tattoo!  Where's my tiara?!

[Baggins]

So beyond that boxart which probably never was printed, this is the only other higher res image of Lolotte (from Hoyle 3) as far as I know (beyond a small picture in KQC). Compare to her appearance in game.


KQC Edgar & Lolotte;