Dragon's Lair Interview (Page 2) - The Armchair Empire

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Continued, page 2 of 2.

AE: A number of fans have commented about the conversion to true HD format (16:9) which, in this case, results in a loss of some of the original video. Did you consider adding the original 4:3 format (or whatever the original film is in) or would that have required double the clean up work?

DF: Honestly, we totally missed on that one. We thought everyone would want the full HD screen filled with video -- and most do. We did misread the interest level in a 4:3 version but certainly are aware of that now.

AE: This could mean another release. I’ll start saving now. Dragon’s Lair has made it onto almost every conceivable format from the Commodore 64 to the new PS3. Is there any platform that it didn’t make it onto that you guys have considered? Mobile Dragon’s Lair?

DF: Actually, there is a mobile version of Dragon's Lair available now from Disney and available through Cingular Motricity and Verizon. There are a few formats that typically weren't well backed financially that we considered but ultimately didn't proceed with. Some of these included the Atari Lynx (we actually did start a bit of work on that one) and Nuon by VM Labs. We were never granted a license by Sony to develop a PS1 version, and similarly no GameCube version.

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AE: Have you considered a UMD format for Dragon’s Lair on the PSP? Is it possible to do on a UMD?

DF: I believe it is possible but from everything we hear, it is a real struggle to sell software on UMD so we've opted to pass on that format.

AE: We’ve heard that Dragon’s Lair

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3D didn’t do so well at retail. Personally, I thought it was a good game and finished it to the end. Why do you think it failed, and would you guys ever consider going the “full 3D” route again with the more powerful consoles?

DB & GG: Well, quite frankly, who knew that it was on the market? There wasn't any commercial marketing, only some press and a Dragon's Lair 3D: Return to the Lair-dominated booth at the 2002 E3 convention. It takes a well-planned advertising campaign plus good press to really jettison a product into the market place. It just didn't get the support of the publisher. On top of that, and probably more importantly, it didn't have the humor of the deaths, nor the look of the original arcade game. There's something to be said for the beauty of traditional animation. Many of the fan base still love the original appeal of the classical animation and the humor of Dirk's inability to speak and, especially all the crazy way he dies when you fail to act in time for him to escape or defeat the villains.

AE: Will we ever be able to swing Dirk’s sword on the Wii?

GG & DB: Now there's a cool idea! Even us old guys get a kick out of those Wii games. Lots of fun.

Something truly tells me we haven’t seen the last of Singe, Dirk, or Daphne just yet. Space Ace and Dragon’s Lair II will be getting the high def treatment soon and who knows what’s in store for the future. Whatever the magic is, Dragon’s Lair truly has it.

Syd Bolton has been collecting game consoles for over 20 years and has dozens of systems and over 5,000 games. Have any interesting stories about Dragon's Lair? Make sure you share with us here. Discuss this interview in the AE Message Boards!

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