Fairlight (video game)

Infobox VG
title = Fairlight


caption = Fairlight title screen
developer = The Edge Software
publisher = The Edge Software
designer = Bo Jangeborg
engine = Grax
version =
released = 1985 (ZX Spectrum) 1986 (Other platforms)
genre = Arcade adventure
modes = Single player
ratings =
platforms = Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum
media =
requirements =
input =

"Fairlight" is an isometric projection arcade adventure video game developed by Bo Jangeborg and Jack Wilkes at The Edge Software and released in 1985. Developed in seven months, Jangeborg created the GRAX game engine using some prior code and components from his earlier project, graphics package "The Artist". Wilkes contributed art assets towards the game, including enemy sprites and the title screen. The game was well received critically and commercially, selling over 50,000 copies, a sequel "Fairlight II" was released in 1986.

The game revolves around the protagonist Isvar, and his quest to find the Book of Light for the court sorcerer, in order for them to escape Castle Avars.

Gameplay

The player controls an adventurer named Isvar that can be moved in a castle which is not only three-dimensional isometric view, but realistic in terms of the way objects behave. Each object has its own physical properties and resultant characteristics in terms of how much else can be carried alongside it.

The castle is guarded and full of trolls, monks, guards, tornadoes, etc that can weaken Isvar's energy, that can be restored with the food you find along his quest for the book of light mislaid by the court sorcerer of King Avers.

Miscellaneous information

* The initial release of the game did not load on ZX Spectrum 128k systems, because of the copy protection system. The Edge released an enhanced 128k version with new music and graphics, but with identical plot.
* First isometric adventure game that has complex object manipulation: each object has its own physical properties, size, weight and special characteristics interacting with the world around.
* First time an isometric game designed as real not like cubes filling up the space.
* The C64 Version could not be completed as it was released with a fatal bug late in the game which prevents passage to the upper screens.

References

*citation|author=Edge staff|title=The Making of Fairlight|periodical=Edge|issue=135|pages=112–115|date=April 2004
* http://www.mobygames.com/game/fairlight
* http://www.cpczone.net/index.php?game=1041

External links

*WoS game|id=0001712|name=Fairlight
*moby game|id=fairlight|name=Fairlight
* [http://www.geocities.com/timessquare/portal/6986/bo.htm Bo Jangeborg interview]