GoldBox

The GoldBox series is a collective term for a number of computer role-playing game series and single title of the American game developer and publisher Strategic Simulations, Inc. ( SSI). All titles are based on an adapted for the computer version of Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game rules and based on the same game engine (Gold Box Engine).

History

Although not all games were linked content and there were regular technical differences between the individual titles that are aggregated under the name Gold Box mainly because of all the titles common game engine. The name comes from the game box of games whose box was mainly kept in a shiny gold tone. These games have been ported to all major systems. They are distinguished from the games series Eye of the Beholder, Dark Sun and other D & D single tracks that were released by SSI in the same period or at the end and used a their own game engine.

1988 SSI published the first part of this series, Pool of Radiance. The game used the pre-drawn pseudo - 3D look then commonly used, in which we explored the world gradually. This was supplemented by a strategic combat system, which was fought in the cavalier perspective. Each character could be controlled individually here. The player led a group of up to eight people, including a maximum of six original characters, and was simpler tasks ( quests) and solve puzzles. Interesting for the players was mainly the AD & D license, on which most of the parts based.

Over time, four series and several single titles emerged. Within the series, the characters could be transferred from one part to the next. In 1993, SSI with the release of Dark Sun: Shattered Lands Dark Sun, the new engine, which allow the Gold Box engine replaced in the development of the following titles.

Forgotten Realms scenarios

The events of this series plays in the campaign world of Forgotten Realms. The beginning of the highly successful series of games marked Pool of Radiance from the year 1988. It also opens the longest story arc. In Pool of Radiance of the player is to rid the city located on Lake Mondsee New Phlan from the threat of large hordes of monsters on the outskirts of the city. The title applies Games journalists as one of the most influential computer role-playing games.

After starting the very successful 1989 they brought immediately Curse of the Azure Bonds on the market. This game was also very successful, and had an even more dense back story than the first part because, inter alia, the scenes of action have been considerably enhanced.

With Secret of the Silver Blades 1990, the next part was published, but was added by the players on the worst so far. The barely existing act that worked but very pale in comparison with the hunt for the Bond originators in the second part, and the very bleak environment deterred many. Secret of the Silver Blades is the first Gold Box game, in which the size of the maps for cities and dungeons is not limited to 16 × 16.

1991 was concluded with Pools of Darkness the Forgotten Realms series. Even by today's standards, these financial statements is still among the most important matches in the area of role-playing games, both in terms of gameplay depth than life.

Dragonlance scenarios

The second series started in 1990 with Champions of Krynn. Basis was this time the campaign world of Dragonlance, Krynn, which caused some differences to the already published games. Besides the influence of the moon, and the gods on the magic of the characters even more easily modified and a new race ( Kender ) and added classes to choose from.

Death Knights of Krynn, the second game in this series was released in 1991 and sent the player to hunt down Lord Soth. Otherwise there was little change to its predecessor.

Dark Queen of Krynn 1992 was not developed more of SSI, but by Micro Magic. The third part was the final of the series. Although graphically modern and content more complex than the preceding one, it was mainly in terms of the story being told more negative reviews than the previous games.

Savage Frontier scenarios

While SSI already focused on developing a new engine under the Dark Sun series, the company commissioned 1989 Stormfront Studios with the development of more D & D games based on the Gold Box engine.

With Gateway to the Savage Frontier started in 1991, the last and smallest series. There the system of the first game was re-used and the action returned to the world of the Forgotten Realms. Known as the Savage Frontier region of the northern Sword Coast cities around the dagger ford and Neverwinter Both graphically and in content, there were some modernization.

With Treasures of the Savage Frontier series in 1992 was completed. It included several newer features. In the battle the weather affected the combat and movement values , also opponents could suddenly summon reinforcements during combat. The game also allowed for the first time in a computer role-playing game a romance between a player character and a member of the group.

Title

In addition to the three series, there were more individual titles in the D & D game worlds that were based on the system of GoldBox series.

1991 came with the model developed by Stormfront Studios Neverwinter Nights, the first online implementation of the game system and at the same time the first graphical online role-playing game in the stores. It appeared after the publication of Gateway to the Savage Frontier and lies with its venue around the city of Neverwinter in the same region of the Savage Frontier, but is treated as an independent title due to the deviating play principle. Neverwinter Nights could be played only on the closed online network of AOL and demanded of players in addition to the Internet connection costs an additional hour based denomination. Despite many limitations for playability and the small number of players at the same time 500 it was very successful and remained until 1997 in Games offered by AOL.

When it was recognized that more games would based on the Gold Box engine no longer have the same success as in the past, SSI published in 1993 with a construction kit for Unlimited Adventures series. Thus creating and publishing your own worlds was possible because comprehensive tools for graphics and a very well thought out script system became available.

Developed in 1992 by Cybertech Systems Spell Jammer: Pirates of Realm Space took the battle engine of the gold box series, but otherwise used a new, self-developed engine. The title is therefore not consistently counted the gold box series.

Buck Rogers scenarios

The SF series Buck Rogers did not belong to the D & D games, SSI used for the games but also the Gold Box engine and thus to the D & D rules. The first part, Countdown to Doomsday released in 1990 and offered to new, especially the space battle, which did not exist in fantasy settings, and a remote- dominated battle combat system as well as other races and classes.

In 1992 appeared Matrix Cubed, which, as always, offered slightly updated graphics and more scope than its predecessor.

Title overview

Forgotten Realms Fantasy Role-Playing Epic

Pool of Radiance (1988 )
Curse of the Azure Bonds ( 1989)
Secret of the Silver Blades ( 1990)
Pools of Darkness (1991 )

Dragonlance Fantasy Role-Playing Epic

Champions of Krynn (1989 )
Death Knights of Krynn (1990 )
Dark Queen of Krynn (1991 )

Savage Frontier Fantasy Role-Playing Epic

Gateway to the Savage Frontier (1990 )
Treasures of the Savage Frontier (1991 )

Buck Rogers series

Buck Rogers - Countdown to Doomsday (1990 )
Buck Rogers - Matrix Cubed (1992 )

Neverwinter Nights - Online Game (1991 )
Spell Jammer: Pirates of Realm Space (1992 )
Unlimited Adventures - Construction Kit (1993 )

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