“Hero’s Quest” was forced to be renamed “Quest for Glory” due to a copyright-trademarking thingiemabob by way of Milton Bradley which had just released it’s own boardgame “Hero Quest” and had a concept for a video game (that I never saw released, by the way). Whatever the case, the series remained entertaining, challenging, goofy and fun during the 1990′s.

It’s been 10 years since Quest for Glory V: Dragon Fire was released. I’ve already stated my opinion on that one and can say that it becomes more tolerable as you go (but still a sharp contrast to the previous four games from the series). That’s not the point of this post. The point really is: When, if ever, will we get to start adventuring again?

And how?

The first difficulty that comes to mind when I think of a Quest for Glory 6 (Quest for Glory Six, Quest for Glory VI. I’m cheating with the search engines to get some attention here) is how much the gaming world has changed in the 10 year span between games. Could Quest for Glory survive in a Worlds of Warcraft world? I personally don’t want to be involved in a mass player online role playing version of QFG. There’s one Hero and one Hero alone and that’s the guy we’ve led through the first five games. QFG V tried having an online version where people could play as the Rites of Rulership characters (Elsa, Gort, Magnum Opus, Keeno Pokeeno and of course their own Hero) with their friends… But I don’t know what ever happened to that… Or how it worked out in the end.

That being said, there are several other games that probably could be compared and contrasted to with regards to the QFG series and what it’s up against if a sequel were to be pushed forward now (or any time soon) and that’s one hurdle to overcome.

Secondly, we have some logistics that need to be clarified or rectified in any new game. Dragon Fire ended with your character having achieved any number of goals: you could have been named King of Silmaria, you could have walked away from the crown (if you were a Paladin, that may be the right recourse for you). You may be married to a former Harem girl in Nawar, a former Vampire in Katrina, Fairy-mage Erana or warrior Elsa Von Spielburg. Or not married at all if you so chose. So a setting of where things start and outcomes with your better-halves would have to be the first step in any story…

Of course, there are countless numbers of “this could happen” and “it could take place here!” options out there for a setting in the game. Though folklore of Arabia and Europe have been covered, there is more out. That’s a simple aspect I would think: to chose where and when. Dragon Fire had laid some groundwork for an India-Buddhist themed place, but that’s not a given.

But really, is there a market for another QFG game? Is there enough interest from the fan base (and general gaming community which has grown to astronomical proportions in 10 years time) to support another Quest for Glory game? Or a spin off for that matter?

That, and just what has to transpire to get Lori and Cory Cole moving on a project to see their beloved franchise re-energized?

We’ve seen movie series’ rebooted in recent years (James Bond franchise, the Batman franchise), but we’ve also seen long dormant franchises put out a sequel (Indiana Jones, Die Hard) and still pack people in.

The desire for a sequel is out there on the web, and it’s not like the Cole’s have disappeared from existence or dropped all ties to the QFG Realm. But there needs to be a driving force behind it and a framework to make it happen…

Can QFG thrive in a WoW universe? I think that’s the question that keeps the franchise dormant. Finding it’s niche and originality in the current gaming market is vital to move the concept for a sequel from wishful-thinking from the fans to something tangible.

There’s a loyal fan base out there to drive it. But is there interest from the top to actually make such a project happen?

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