OCS no. 1

OCS

OCS no. 2
CDTV no. 1

CDTV

CDTV no. 2

Defender Of The Crown

General info

Amiga Original

Relationships

WHDLoad

2008-01-01

Stats

32,715

Conversions

Amstrad/Schneider CPC464/664/6128
Android OS (Smartphones/Tablets/Other Devices)
Apple IIGS
Apple iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch (iOS)
Apple Macintosh (Classic)
Atari ST/E
Commodore C64/128
Nintendo Game Boy Advance (GBA)
Nintendo NES (Famicom)/Sharp Twin Famicom
PC (DOS)
PC (Windows)
Philips CD-i
Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128/+2/+3 – Timex TS2068/TC2068/TC2048
Tandy PC/IBM PCjr

OCS

Version info

No
Max 1, Sim 1

Features

Credits

Lead programmer
Computography, Mical Game System
Additional graphics
Additional graphics
Additional graphics
Additional graphics
Additional graphics
Additional graphics
Additional graphics
Composition
Orchestration

Hard Disk Installer

No

Releases

Year
Name
Licence
Type
Country
Publisher
Languages
Manual Languages
Disks
Rarity
?
Defender Of The Crown
Commercial
Budget
United Kingdom
English
English, French
2
One version is common, at least one other version is rare
1986
Defender Of The Crown
Commercial
Full Price
Europe
English
English, French
2
One version is common, at least one other version is rare
1986
Defender Of The Crown
Commercial
Full Price
Rest of the World
English
English, French
2
One version is common, at least one other version is rare
1991
Defender Of The Crown
Commercial
Budget
Worldwide
English
English, French
2
One version is common, at least one other version is rare

Notes

[1] Master Designer Software in association with Jack M. Zufelt and American Equity Resource presents a Cinemaware production DEFENDER OF THE CROWN.

[2] The Mical Game System used in the development of DOTC was written by Commodore Amiga software engineer and hardware designer Robert J. Mical.

[3] Game must be launched from WB after booting from floppy.

[4] Game manufactured/distributed by Mindscape in the USA and Australasia, and by Ubi Soft in France.


TRIVIA:
[1] According to the manual, DOTC pays tribute to classic Hollywood adventure movies, most notably "The Adventures of Robin Hood" and "Ivanhoe", which brought to life tales of dashing heroes, beautiful damsels in distress and royal kingdoms of old (see HERE). Indeed, 5 pages of the game manual are devoted to discussion of the mythical legend of Robin Hood and the movies/TV series based on the character that were produced up until the 1986 release of DOTC.

[2] Jack M. Zufelt, who is acknowledged in the game intro, is an American network market industry consultant, book author and international speaker.

[3] The Amiga version of DOTC was written in 6 weeks. Given the loss of two coders and a strict deadline for the product to be released, a few features which appeared in subsequent releases on other platforms did not make it into the Amiga version (e.g. the Greek fire and disease attack options). In a 1988 interview, Cinemaware founder Bob Jacob judged that the most definitive version of DOTC released was for rival platform, the Atari ST [Source: Cinemaware feature article, Your Amiga, June 88, p16].

[4] At the time of release DOTC reportedly was the largest game ever released, containing a "massive" 1.5MB of graphics alone [Source: Cinemaware development article, Commodore Magazine (USA), Oct 87, p73].

[5] DOTC won the Software Publishers Association 1986 award for Best Graphics (16-Bit Division).

Conversion Notes

PC versions: Hercules, CGA, EGA, VGA, Tandy/PCjr
- DOTC unofficially ported to C16/+4
- DOTC: DIGITALLY REMASTERED (PC/Mac) released 2002
- ROBIN HOOD: DOTC (PS2/Xbox/PC) released 2003

CDTV

Version info

No
Max 1, Sim 1

Features

Releases

Year
Name
Licence
Type
Country
Publisher
Languages
Manual Languages
Disks
Rarity
1991
Defender Of The Crown
Commercial
Full Price
Worldwide
English
English
1
Rare

Notes

[1] Game concept by Bob Jacob; CDTV game design & direction by Dave Riordan; original Amiga game design by Kellyn Beeck. CDTV conversion by Amir Zbeda; original Amiga coding by Kellyn Beeck; computography and Mical Game System by Robert J. Mical. Graphics & special FX by Jim Sachs; additional gfx by Steve Quinn, Richard La Barre, Sol Masid, John Cutter, Rob Landeros, Doug Smith and Bob Swiger. Original music composition by Jim Cuomo and orchestration by Bill Williams. Online manual written by Mark Davidson.

[2] DEFENDER OF THE CROWN CDTV features minor graphical improvements and major sound enhancements (incl. two CDDA soundtracks) over the 1986 Cinemaware disk release.

[3] Unlike the disk release, the CDTV version contains an abridged on-line manual. The full printed CDTV manual, however, is available HERE.

[4] The Mical Game System used in the development of DOTC was written by Commodore Amiga software engineer and hardware designer Robert J. Mical.

[5] DEFENDER OF THE CROWN CDTV is CD32-compatible.


TRIVIA: According to the catalogue advert and on-line manual, DEFENDER OF THE CROWN CDTV is a tribute to classic Hollywood adventure movies, most notably The Adventures of Robin Hood and Ivanhoe, which brought to life tales of dashing heroes, damsels in distress and royal kingdoms (see HERE).

Conversion Notes

PC versions: Hercules, CGA, EGA, VGA, Tandy/PCjr
- DOTC unofficially ported to C16/+4
- DOTC: DIGITALLY REMASTERED (PC/Mac) released 2002
- ROBIN HOOD: DOTC (PS2/Xbox/PC) released 2003

Screen info

OCS
Screenshot OCS no. 3

The Cast

Screenshot OCS no. 4

Background Story

Screenshot OCS no. 5

Pick your man

Screenshot OCS no. 6

A visit to an old friend named Robin of Locksley

Screenshot OCS no. 7

The King is Dead! God Save England!!!

Screenshot OCS no. 8

Willy begins his campaign

Screenshot OCS no. 9

What will be your first order of business?

Screenshot OCS no. 10

Prepare for war!

Screenshot OCS no. 11

Off for a joust!

Screenshot OCS no. 12

Fanfare ushers in the Tournament

Screenshot OCS no. 13

Crowds gather in anticipation of a dazzling exhibition of jousting prowess

Screenshot OCS no. 14

The Tournament begins

Screenshot OCS no. 15

A bird's eye view of your jousting opponent from the saddle

Screenshot OCS no. 16

Oi! My stick is bigger than yours!!!

Screenshot OCS no. 17

....erm, maybe not

Screenshot OCS no. 18

A sombre winter's night at the castle

Screenshot OCS no. 19

Nice castle you got there... won't be for long now

Screenshot OCS no. 20

Bombs away!

Screenshot OCS no. 21

Gold is a man's best friend

Screenshot OCS no. 22

A perilous mission beckons you to an enemy castle, but the veil of night may better aid your cause

Screenshot OCS no. 23

The shroud of night finally arrives and the mission at-hand of rescuing a fair maiden within the castle confines awaits

Screenshot OCS no. 24

Take that! And that! And that! And that!

Screenshot OCS no. 25

En Garde!!!

Screenshot OCS no. 26

Mission accomplished!

Screenshot OCS no. 27

Screenshot OCS no. 28

Screenshot OCS no. 29

Lady Rebecca puts on a lingerie show in gratitude

Screenshot OCS no. 30

Ruff ruff!

Screenshot OCS no. 31

Awoooo!

Screenshot OCS no. 32

Woof woof!

Screenshot OCS no. 33

*pant pant*

Screenshot OCS no. 34

[cue Lord Flashheart] Am I pleased to see you, or did I just put a canoe in my pocket??!! WOOF!!!

Screenshot OCS no. 35

Every great man needs a good virtuous woman by his side

Screenshot OCS no. 36

Filthy Norman thieves steal your money!

Screenshot OCS no. 37

Game over man!

Screenshot OCS no. 38

Your mighty army slaughters the despicable Norman hordes

Screenshot OCS no. 39

VICTORY!!! England is mine, I tell you.....all mine, mine, mine!!!

Screenshot OCS no. 40

A noble Saxon reigns as King of England once again

Screenshot OCS no. 41

Ahhh, peace & serenity at last....

Screenshot OCS no. 42

The glorious end-game screen!!

CDTV
Screenshot CDTV no. 3

Screenshot CDTV no. 4

Screenshot CDTV no. 5

Screenshot CDTV no. 6

Screenshot CDTV no. 7

Screenshot CDTV no. 8

Screenshot CDTV no. 9

Screenshot CDTV no. 10

Box: OCS
Box scan OCS no. 1

U.S. Release (front)

Box scan OCS no. 2

U.S. Release (back)

Box scan OCS no. 3

U.S. Release (front) [alt]

Box scan OCS no. 4

U.S. Release (back) [alt]

Box scan OCS no. 5

U.S. Release (left inside cover)

Box scan OCS no. 6

U.S. Release (right inside cover)

Box scan OCS no. 7

UK Release (front)

Box scan OCS no. 8

UK Release (back)

Box scan OCS no. 9

Budget Release (front) [Mirror Image]

Box scan OCS no. 10

Budget Release (back) [Mirror Image]

Box scan OCS no. 11

Budget Release (front) [EDOS]

Box scan OCS no. 12

Budget Release (back) [EDOS]

Box: CDTV
Box scan CDTV no. 1

Game Box (front)

Box scan CDTV no. 2

Game Box (back)

Box scan CDTV no. 3

CD Inlay (front)

Box scan CDTV no. 4

CD Inlay (back)

Disk: OCS
Disk scan OCS no. 1

U.S. Release (Cinemaware/Mindscape)

Disk scan OCS no. 2

Worldwide Release (Master Designer Software/Cinemaware)

Disk scan OCS no. 3

Budget Release (Mirror Image)

Disk scan OCS no. 4

Electronic Distribution Of Software (EDOS) release disk 1

Disk scan OCS no. 5

Electronic Distribution Of Software (EDOS) release disk 2

Disk: CDTV
Disk scan CDTV no. 1

Misc: OCS
OCS no. 1

Registration Card (front)

OCS no. 2

Registration Card (back)

OCS no. 3

Order Form (front)

OCS no. 4

Order Form (back)

OCS no. 5

Magazine Review [Source: Amiga World, Mar/Apr 87, pp 80 & 82]

OCS no. 6

Magazine Review [Source: Commodore Magazine (USA), Mar 87, p24]

OCS no. 7

Cinemaware Article Excerpt [Source: Your Amiga, June/July 88, p17]

OCS no. 8

Game Development Article [Source: Commodore Magazine (USA), Oct 87, pp 73 & 98]

OCS no. 9

U.S. Advert (CGW 32 11/1986, Page 11)

OCS no. 10

U.S. Advert (CGW 35 3/1987, Page 15)

OCS no. 11

U.S. Advert (CGW 40 10/1987, Page 9)

OCS no. 12

U.S. Review (CGW 53 11/1988, Page 20)

OCS no. 13

U.S. Advert [5]

OCS no. 14

UK Advert (Commodore User 7/1987, Page 46)

OCS no. 15

UK Advert (Commodore User 1/1988, Pages 22 & 23)

OCS no. 16

UK Advert [3]

OCS no. 17

UK Advert (Budget Release)

OCS no. 18

Cinemaware 1989 Product Catalogue Entry

OCS no. 19

CU Screen Star Entry [Source: Atari Mania]

OCS no. 20

French Advert [1] [Source: Atari Mania]

OCS no. 21

French Advert [2] [Source: Atari Mania]

Misc: CDTV
CDTV no. 1

Catalogue Advert [Source: Commodore CDTV Catalog of Titles Vol. 1, 1991, p41]

Manual info

OCS
OCS no. 1

Manual (English) [U.S. Release]

OCS no. 2

Quick Reference Card (English) [U.S. Release]

OCS no. 3

Manual (French)

CDTV
CDTV no. 1

Manual (English)

OCS

While the game is loading hold down the ‘K’ key until the game is loaded. You should now start the game with 2048 knights. [1]

 

[1] This cheat works on SPS release 0317, but not on release 0902.

CDTV

No cheats found.

Amstrad/Schneider CPC464/664/6128
Conversion Amstrad/Schneider CPC464/664/6128

Conversion Amstrad/Schneider CPC464/664/6128

Android OS (Smartphones/Tablets/Other Devices)
No conversion screens found.
Apple IIGS
Conversion Apple IIGS

Conversion Apple IIGS

Apple iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch (iOS)
No conversion screens found.
Apple Macintosh (Classic)
No conversion screens found.
Atari ST/E
Conversion Atari ST/E

Conversion Atari ST/E

Commodore C64/128
Conversion Commodore C64/128

Conversion Commodore C64/128

Nintendo Game Boy Advance (GBA)
Conversion Nintendo Game Boy Advance (GBA)

Conversion Nintendo Game Boy Advance (GBA)

Nintendo NES (Famicom)/Sharp Twin Famicom
Conversion Nintendo NES (Famicom)/Sharp Twin Famicom

Conversion Nintendo NES (Famicom)/Sharp Twin Famicom

PC (DOS)
Conversion PC (DOS)

CGA

Conversion PC (DOS)

Conversion PC (DOS)

EGA

Conversion PC (DOS)

PC (Windows)
Conversion PC (Windows)

2003 remake

Conversion PC (Windows)

Philips CD-i
Conversion Philips CD-i

Conversion Philips CD-i

Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48/128/+2/+3 – Timex TS2068/TC2068/TC2048
No conversion screens found.
Tandy PC/IBM PCjr
No conversion screens found.

Map info

OCS

No maps found.

CDTV

No maps found.

MAGAZINE REVIEWS

Magazine
Issue
Rating
Reviewer
Release type
Review
Scans
Amiga Joker
Nov 1990
72%
Uwe Rönitz
Michael Labiner
1
Australian Commodore and Amiga Review
Vol 4 No 2 (Feb 1987)
96%
Stephen Gordon
Shane Watts
2
CU Amiga
Jul 1991
82%
Fiona Keating
Re-release
1
Datormagazin
Vol 1987 No 1 (Feb 1987)
Stefan Jakobsson
0
Svenska Hemdatornytt
Vol 1987 No 4 (May 1987)
Pontus Österlin
0
The One
31 (Apr 1991)
4/5
Paul Presley
Re-release
1
Zzap
72 (Apr 1991)
78%
Re-release
0
Zzap Amiga
14 (Jan - Feb 2024)
88%
Chris Thacker
Mark Macrae
2
Amiga Format
32 (Mar 1992)
48%
2
Amiga Format
39 (Oct 1992)
48%
Damien Noonan
Roundup
1
Amiga Joker
Oct 1991
3/5
Michael Labiner
Richard Löwenstein
2

MAGAZINE PREVIEWS

Magazine
Issue
Rating
Reviewer
Release type
Review
Scans
No magazine previews found

OCS

Lore Score: 79%

Your Score:

CDTV

Lore Score: n/a

Your Score:

User
Date
Comment