Defender of the Crown is in the running for Best Strategy Game of 2007 at the upcoming Zeeby Awards. We chatted with Greg Zesinger, Product Manager at eGames, about what makes Defender of the Crown and why it deserves to get your vote.
Defender of the Crown is in the running for Best Strategy Game of 2007 at the upcoming Zeeby Awards. We chatted with Greg Zesinger, Product Manager at eGames, about what makes Defender of the Crown special and why it deserves to get your vote.
Can you give us insights or fun facts about the development of this game?
Some may not know that Defender of the Crown was a very popular title in the 1980s for Cinemaware that pioneered the use of high quality graphics, audio effects, and game mechanics to create an immersive "interactive movie". After eGames acquired Cinemaware a few years back, Defender of the Crown was the perfect choice to kick off our internal development efforts, reimagining it for today’s casual audience.
When we first started showing the game around to the portals, one of our contacts was really excited about the game. It could have been because of the excellent and varied gameplay, but I suppose there’s a slight chance it could have been because she was a medieval history major in college.
What makes Defender of the Crown special, and why should people vote for it?
Defender of the Crown offers a different experience every time you start a game. From archery contests to catapult sieges to jousting tournaments to treasury raids, you have a wide variety of opportunities to get medieval on your cunning noble foes and many different paths to take to claim the throne. Within each game session, you’ll never experience the same exact scenario twice. I would encourage everyone who hasn’t given it a try to download it now and decide for yourself. We’re so confident that you’ll love our game that we’ll even give you the first hour for free!
Besides your own game of course, what other games impressed you in 2007?
In addition to so many of the games that are up for Zeebys this year, a couple less-widely known games that I thoroughly enjoyed were Jungo and Snapshot Adventures: The Secret of Bird Island. Loved the attention to detail and unique game mechanics for both.
If you win a Zeeby, how do you plan to celebrate (aside for going to Disneyworld, of course)?
Rather than Disney World, we will travel to sister park Epcot and unite all of the countries found there under the eGames banner! Through our cunning and bravery, we will rule uncontested and there will be much rejoicing… at least until security shows up. Maybe we’ll just go find a catapult and throw flaming rocks at something instead.
Any final words for your fans?
I would like to reiterate that while kidnapping princesses, hurling Greek Fire and disease into heavy stone buildings, and looting local treasuries look like a lot of fun, please keep them restricted to the confines of your PC. While yelling "Tallyho!" and raiding your officemate’s cubicle sounds like a blast, the real world consequences just aren’t worth it. Trust me, stick to the game. Seriously though, we sincerely appreciate your support and are so glad that so many of you have enjoyed Defender of the Crown: Heroes Live Forever. You are our true heroes!
Click here to vote for you favorite casual games of 2007.
