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Pool of Radiance
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Pool of Radiance
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==Development== ''Pool of Radiance'' was the first official game based on the ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' rules.<ref name="gmmag" /> The scenario was created by [[TSR, Inc.|TSR]] designers [[Jim Ward (game designer)|Jim Ward]], [[David Cook (game designer)|David Cook]], [[Steve Winter]], and [[Mike Breault]], and coded by programmers from [[Strategic Simulations, Inc]]'s Special Projects team.<ref name="Dragon149">{{cite journal |title=The Envelope, Please! |author=The ''Dragon'' editors |journal=Dragon |issue=149 |date=September 1989 |pages=20β21}}</ref> The section of the ''Forgotten Realms'' world in which ''Pool of Radiance'' takes place was intended to be developed only by SSI.<ref name="Dragon133" /> The game was created on [[Apple II series|Apple II]] and [[Commodore 64]] computers, taking one year with a team of thirty-five people.<ref name="gmmag" /> This game was the first to use the [[game engine]] later used in other SSI D&D games known as the "[[Gold Box]]" series.<ref name="HighScore">{{cite book|last=DeMaria|first=Rusel|coauthors= Johnny L. Wilson|title=[[High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games]]|publisher=McGraw-Hill Osborne Media|year=2003|page=161|chapter=The Wizardry of Sir-Tech|chapterurl=http://books.google.com/books?id=HJNvZLvpCEQC&pg=PA161#v=onepage&q=&f=false|accessdate=14 July 2009|isbn=0072224282}}</ref><ref name="Allgame">{{cite web|last=Deci|first=T.J.|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=11666|title=Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Pool of Radiance|publisher=[[Allgame]]|accessdate=15 July 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | first=Levi | last=Buchanan | date=March 6, 2008 | title=Dungeons & Dragons Classic Videogame Retrospective | publisher=IGN | url=http://retro.ign.com/articles/857/857143p1.html | accessdate=2009-10-08 }}</ref> The SSI team developing the game was led by [[Chuck Kroegel]].<ref name="C+VG" /> Kroegel stated that the main challenge with the development was interpreting the ''AD&D'' rules to an exact format. Developers also worked to balance the graphics with gameplay to provide a faithful ''AD&D'' feel, given the restrictions of a home computer. In addition to the core [[Dungeons & Dragons rulebooks|''AD&D'' manuals]], the books ''[[Unearthed Arcana]]'' and ''[[Monster Manual II]]'' were also used during development.<ref name="gmmag" /> The game was originally programmed by Keith Brors and Brad Myers, and it was developed by George MacDonald.<ref name="MobyGames">{{cite web|url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/c64/pool-of-radiance|title=Pool of Radiance|publisher=[[MobyGames]]|accessdate=15 July 2009}}</ref> The game's graphic arts were by Tom Wahl, Fred Butts, Darla Marasco, and Susan Halbleib.<ref name="MobyGames" /> ''Pool of Radiance'' was released in June 1988;<ref name="Dragon133">{{cite journal |title=The Game Wizards |author=[[Jim Ward (game designer)|Ward, James M.]] |journal=Dragon |issue=133 |date=May 1988 |page=42}}</ref> it was initially available on the Commodore 64, Apple II series and [[IBM PC compatible]] computers.<ref name="Allgame" /> A version for the [[Atari ST]] was also announced.<ref name="TGM" /> The [[Apple Macintosh]] version was released in 1989.<ref name="Allgame" /> The Macintosh version featured a slightly different interface and was intended to work on black-and-white Macs like the [[Mac Plus]] and the [[Macintosh Classic|Mac Classic]]. The screen was tiled into separate windows including the game screen, text console, and compass. Graphics were monochrome and the display window was relatively small compared to other versions. The Macintosh version featured sound, but no music. The game's [[Amiga]] version was released two years later.<ref name="AA14" /> The PC 9800 version γ'''γγΌγ«γ»γͺγγ»γ¬γ€γγ£γ’γ³γΉ'''γ in Japan was fully translated (like the Japanese Famicom version) and featured full-color graphics. The game was ported to the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] under the title ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Pool of Radiance'', released in April 1992.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/nes/rpg/advanceddungeonsdpor/index.html|title=Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Pool of Radiance|work=gamespot UK}}</ref> The original ''Pool of Radiance'' game shipped with a 28-page introductory booklet, which describes secrets relating to the game and the concepts behind it. The booklet guides players through the character creation process, explaining how to create a party. The game also included the 38-page ''Adventurer's Journal'', which provides the game's background. The booklet features depictions of fliers, maps, and information that characters see in the game.<ref name="C+VG" /> The package also included a translation decoder wheel.<ref name="C+VG" /> After the title screen, a copy protection screen was displayed consisting of two pictures and a line. The player was required to use the decoder wheel to line up the pictures, then enter the word revealed on the decoder wheel. After three unsuccessful attempts, the game automatically shut down.
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