Sierra On-Line
Last updated: January 19, 2026
Overview
Sierra On-Line (originally On-Line Systems, later Sierra Entertainment) was the flagship American video game publisher founded in 1979 by Ken Williams and Roberta Williams. The company pioneered the graphic adventure game genre and published some of the most influential games in PC gaming history, including the King’s Quest, Space Quest, Police Quest, Leisure Suit Larry, and Quest for Glory series.
Corporate History
| Era | Name | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founding | On-Line Systems | 1979-1982 | Original company name |
| Classic Era | Sierra On-Line | 1982-1998 | Main publishing label |
| Late Era | Sierra Studios | 1997-2001 | High-profile PC releases |
| Vivendi Era | Sierra Entertainment | 1999-2008 | Post-merger branding |
Sub-Labels and Divisions
Sierra operated several specialized sub-labels for different game genres:
- SierraVision - Early arcade-style games (1982-1984)
- Sierra FX - Action and effects-heavy games (Quest for Glory V, SWAT 2)
- Sierra Attractions - Theme park and casual games (3-D Ultra series)
- Sierra Sports - Sports simulation titles
- Sierra Home - Educational and home software
Acquired Studios
Sierra acquired and published games from numerous development studios:
- Dynamix (acquired 1990) - Action, adventure, and simulation
- Impressions Games (acquired 1995) - City-building games
- Coktel Vision (acquired 1993) - French adventure and educational games
- Papyrus Design Group (acquired 1995) - Racing simulations
- Relic Entertainment (partnership) - Strategy games
- Berkeley Systems (acquired 1997) - Screensavers and casual games
- Synergistic Software (acquired) - Sports simulations, RPGs
- Valve (publishing partnership 1998-2001) - First-person shooters
Games Published
This section lists all games published under Sierra On-Line and its subsidiaries. Games with dedicated pages in this archive are linked; others are listed for completeness.
On-Line Systems Era (1980-1982)
Adventures
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Mission Asteroid | Hi-Res Adventure #0 |
| 1980 | Mystery House | First graphic adventure |
| 1980 | The Wizard and the Princess | Hi-Res Adventure #2 |
| 1981 | Cranston Manor | Hi-Res Adventure #3 |
| 1981 | Ulysses and the Golden Fleece | Hi-Res Adventure #4 |
| 1981 | Softporn Adventure | Text adventure |
| 1982 | Time Zone | Hi-Res Adventure #5, 6 disks |
| 1982 | Adventure in Serenia | PCjr version |
Arcade Games
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Skeet Shoot | Third-party developed |
| 1980 | Trap Shoot | Third-party developed |
| 1980 | Hi-Res Football | Sports |
| 1980 | Hi-Res Soccer | Sports |
| 1980 | Hi-Res Cribbage | Card game |
| 1981 | Crossfire | Jay Sullivan |
| 1981 | Threshold | Arcade shooter |
| 1981 | Jawbreaker | Pac-Man style |
| 1981 | Gobbler | Olaf Lubeck |
| 1981 | Sabotage | Mark Allen |
| 1982 | Cannonball Blitz | Donkey Kong style |
| 1982 | Frogger | Licensed port |
| 1982 | Lunar Leeper | Chuck Bueche |
| 1982 | Jawbreaker II | Atari 8-bit port |
| 1982 | Laf Pak | Chuck Bueche compilation |
| 1982 | Creepy Corridors | Maze game |
| 1982 | Dragon’s Keep | Action |
| 1982 | Marauder | Shooter |
| 1982 | Mouskattack | Action |
| 1982 | Pest Patrol | Fixed shooter |
Licensed/Published Titles
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Ultima II | Richard Garriott (Origin) |
SierraVision/Early Sierra Era (1983-1984)
Adventures & Licensed Games
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | The Dark Crystal | Licensed from Jim Henson |
| 1983 | Troll’s Tale | Children’s adventure |
| 1983 | Ultima: Escape from Mt. Drash | VIC-20 spinoff |
| 1984 | King’s Quest: Quest for the Crown | First AGI game |
| 1984 | Mickey’s Space Adventure | Disney license |
| 1984 | Winnie the Pooh | Disney license |
| 1984 | Donald Duck’s Playground | Disney license |
| 1984 | Gelfling Adventure | Al Lowe, Dark Crystal tie-in |
Arcade Games
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | B.C.’s Quest for Tires | Licensed comic strip |
| 1983 | Apple Cider Spider | Ivan Strand |
| 1983 | Mr. Cool | Q*bert style |
| 1983 | Oil’s Well | Arcade puzzle |
| 1983 | Sammy Lightfoot | Platformer |
| 1983 | Mine Shaft | Action |
| 1983 | Aquatron | Shooter |
| 1983 | WallWar | Peter Oliphant |
| 1984 | B.C. II: Grog’s Revenge | Sequel |
| 1984 | Sword of Kadash | Action RPG |
Educational
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Alphabet Blocks | Preschool |
| 1982 | Bop-A-Bet | Alphabet game |
| 1983 | Beginning Reading | Educational |
| 1983 | Early Math | Educational |
| 1983 | Kids’ Typing | Typing tutor |
| 1983 | Ready, Set, Read! | Educational |
| 1983 | Learning with Leeper | Educational |
| 1984 | Learning with FuzzyWOMP | Educational |
| 1984 | Wizard of Id’s WizType | Typing tutor |
| 1984 | Wizard of Id’s WizMath | Math education |
AGI Era (1985-1988)
Flagship Adventures
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | King’s Quest II | King’s Quest series |
| 1986 | King’s Quest III | King’s Quest series |
| 1986 | Space Quest | Two Guys from Andromeda |
| 1986 | The Black Cauldron | Disney license |
| 1987 | Leisure Suit Larry | Al Lowe |
| 1987 | Police Quest | Jim Walls |
| 1987 | Space Quest II | Space Quest series |
| 1987 | Mixed-Up Mother Goose | Children’s |
| 1988 | King’s Quest IV | First SCI game |
| 1988 | Leisure Suit Larry II | LSL series |
| 1988 | Police Quest II | PQ series |
| 1988 | Gold Rush! | Doug & Ken MacNeill |
| 1988 | Manhunter: New York | Murry & Evryware |
Other Adventures & Games
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | The Crimson Crown | Polarware acquisition |
| 1985 | Thexder | Game Arts (Japan) |
| 1986 | Arcticfox | Dynamix (pre-acquisition) |
| 1986 | Kempelen | Chess |
| 1986 | Wrath of Denethenor | RPG |
| 1987 | 3-D Helicopter Simulator | Sierra |
| 1987 | Skyfox II | EA port |
| 1987 | Laser Surgeon | Medical education |
Sports & Simulation
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Sierra Championship Boxing | Sports |
| 1985 | Stunt Flyer | Flight sim |
SCI/Golden Era (1989-1995)
Flagship Sierra Adventures
Dynamix Adventures & Action
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | David Wolf: Secret Agent | FMV action |
| 1989 | Deathtrack | Combat racing |
| 1990 | Rise of the Dragon | Cyberpunk adventure |
| 1991 | Heart of China | 1930s adventure |
| 1991 | The Adventures of Willy Beamish | Comedy adventure |
| 1991 | Nova 9 | Stellar 7 sequel |
| 1990 | Stellar 7 | Tank action |
| 1993 | Stellar 7: Draxon’s Revenge | 3DO version |
| 1993 | Stellar-Fire | 3DO |
Dynamix Flight Simulations
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | A-10 Tank Killer | Attack aircraft sim |
| 1990 | Red Baron | WWI combat |
| 1991 | A-10 Tank Killer 1.5 | Updated |
| 1992 | Aces of the Pacific | WWII Pacific |
| 1992 | Red Baron Mission Builder | Expansion |
| 1993 | Aces Over Europe | WWII Europe |
| 1994 | Aces of the Deep | U-boat sim |
| 1995 | Command Aces of the Deep | Enhanced |
| 1996 | Silent Thunder | A-10 sequel |
| 1997 | Red Baron II | WWI sequel |
| 1998 | Red Baron 3D | 3D accelerated |
| 1999 | Curse You! Red Baron | Arcade spin-off |
Dynamix Mech & Strategy
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Metaltech: Earthsiege | Mech combat |
| 1994 | Metaltech: Battledrome | Mech arena |
| 1995 | Earthsiege Expansion | Add-on |
| 1996 | Earthsiege 2 | Sequel |
| 1996 | MissionForce: CyberStorm | Mech strategy |
| 1996 | Hunter Hunted | Action |
| 1996 | CyberGladiators | Fighting |
| 1998 | CyberStorm 2 | Strategy sequel |
| 1998 | Starsiege: Tribes | Online FPS |
| 1999 | Starsiege | Mech sim |
| 2001 | Tribes 2 | FPS sequel |
| 2002 | Tribes: Aerial Assault | PS2 |
The Incredible Machine Series
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | The Incredible Machine | Puzzle classic |
| 1993 | Even More Incredible Machine | Sequel |
| 1993 | Sid & Al’s Incredible Toons | Cartoon spin-off |
| 1994 | The Incredible Machine 2 | Sequel |
| 1994 | The Incredible Toon Machine | Sequel |
| 1995 | The Incredible Machine 3 | Windows version |
| 2000 | Return of TIM | Revival |
| 2001 | Even More Contraptions | Add-on |
Dr. Brain Series
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Castle of Dr. Brain | Educational puzzle |
| 1992 | The Island of Dr. Brain | Sequel |
| 1995 | The Lost Mind of Dr. Brain | Third entry |
| 1996 | The Time Warp of Dr. Brain | Fourth entry |
| 1998 | Dr. Brain: IQ Adventure | Children’s |
| 1998 | Dr. Brain: Puzzle Madness | Children’s |
| 1999 | Dr. Brain: Action Reaction | Physics puzzles |
Coktel Vision Titles
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Abracadabra | Adventure |
| 1988 | African Raiders-01 | Action |
| 1989 | Emmanuelle | Adult adventure |
| 1989 | Legend of Djel | Fantasy adventure |
| 1989 | E.S.S. | Space sim |
| 1990 | Geisha | Adult adventure |
| 1991 | E.S.S. Mega | Enhanced edition |
| 1991 | Fascination | Adventure |
| 1991 | Gobliiins | Puzzle adventure |
| 1991 | A.G.E. | Strategy |
| 1992 | A.J.’s World of Discovery | Educational |
| 1992 | Bargon Attack | Sci-fi adventure |
| 1992 | Gobliins 2 | Sequel |
| 1992 | Inca | Action-adventure |
| 1992 | Ween: The Prophecy | Fantasy adventure |
| 1993 | Goblins Quest 3 | Trilogy finale |
| 1993 | Inca II | Sequel |
| 1993 | Lost in Time | Sci-fi adventure |
| 1994 | Playtoons 1 | Children’s |
| 1995 | Playtoons 2 | Children’s |
| 1995 | Playtoons 3 | Children’s |
| 1995 | Playtoons 4 | Children’s |
| 1995 | Woodruff and the Schnibble | Comedy adventure |
| 1996 | Urban Runner | FMV thriller |
Impressions Games Titles
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Cohort: Fighting for Rome | Strategy |
| 1991 | Fort Apache | Western strategy |
| 1991 | Merchant Colony | Trade sim |
| 1991 | V for Victory: Utah Beach | Wargame |
| 1992 | Air Bucks | Airline sim |
| 1992 | Air Force Commander | Strategy |
| 1992 | Crime City | Management sim |
| 1992 | Conquest of Japan | Strategy |
| 1992 | Discovery | History sim |
| 1993 | Caesar | City-builder |
| 1993 | Cohort II | Strategy sequel |
| 1993 | Global Domination | Strategy |
| 1993 | WW2 Air Force Commander | Wargame |
| 1994 | Detroit | Business sim |
| 1994 | Front Lines | WWI strategy |
| 1994 | Lords of the Realm | Medieval strategy |
| 1995 | Caesar II | City-builder |
| 1995 | High Seas Trader | Trading sim |
| 1996 | Lords of the Realm II | Strategy |
| 1997 | Lords of the Realm II Siege Pack | Expansion |
| 1998 | Caesar III | City-builder classic |
| 1999 | Pharaoh | Egyptian city-builder |
| 2000 | Cleopatra | Pharaoh expansion |
| 2000 | Zeus: Master of Olympus | Greek city-builder |
| 2001 | Poseidon | Zeus expansion |
| 2002 | Emperor | Chinese city-builder |
| 2004 | Lords of the Realm III | Strategy |
| 2006 | Caesar IV | 3D city-builder |
Papyrus Racing Simulations
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | IndyCar Racing | Open-wheel racing |
| 1994 | NASCAR Racing | Stock car racing |
| 1995 | IndyCar Racing II | Sequel |
| 1996 | NASCAR Racing 2 | Sequel |
| 1997 | NASCAR Racing 2 Grand National | Expansion |
| 1998 | Grand Prix Legends | 1967 F1 |
| 1999 | NASCAR Racing 3 | Updated |
| 1999 | NASCAR Legends | Retro racing |
| 1999 | NASCAR Truck Series | Truck racing |
| 2001 | NASCAR Racing 4 | Sequel |
| 2002 | NASCAR Racing 2002 | Annual update |
| 2003 | NASCAR Racing 2003 | Final Papyrus |
Hoyle Game Collections
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Hoyle Volume 1 | Card games |
| 1990 | Hoyle Volume 2 | Board games |
| 1991 | Hoyle Volume 3 | Solitaire |
| 1991 | Hoyle Volume 4 | Puzzles |
| 1992 | Hoyle Bridge | Bridge |
| 1993 | Hoyle Volume 5 | More games |
| 1995 | Hoyle Solitaire | Solitaire collection |
| 1996 | Hoyle Casino (1996) | Casino games |
| 1996 | Hoyle Blackjack | Blackjack |
| 1997 | Hoyle Classic Cards | Card collection |
| 1997 | Hoyle Poker | Poker games |
| 1998 | Hoyle Classic Board Games | Board games |
| 1998 | Hoyle Battling Ships | Strategy games |
| 1999-2008 | Multiple annual Hoyle releases | See Hoyle series |
Late Era (1996-1999)
Sierra Adventures (Continued)
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Leisure Suit Larry 7 | Last classic LSL |
| 1996 | Phantasmagoria 2 | Sequel |
| 1996 | Lighthouse | Myst-style |
| 1996 | RAMA | Arthur C. Clarke license |
| 1997 | Shivers II | Horror sequel |
| 1998 | King’s Quest: Mask of Eternity | Action-RPG hybrid |
| 1998 | Quest for Glory V | Series finale |
| 1998 | Police Quest: SWAT 2 | Strategy |
| 1998 | Return to Krondor | RPG |
| 1999 | Gabriel Knight 3 | 3D adventure |
| 1999 | SWAT 3 | Tactical FPS |
Valve/Sierra Partnership
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Half-Life | Revolutionary FPS |
| 1999 | Half-Life: Opposing Force | Gearbox expansion |
| 1999 | Team Fortress Classic | Class-based multiplayer |
| 2000 | Counter-Strike | Tactical shooter |
| 2000 | Gunman Chronicles | Western FPS |
| 2001 | Half-Life: Blue Shift | Gearbox expansion |
| 2004 | Counter-Strike: Condition Zero | Updated CS |
Relic Entertainment
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Homeworld | 3D space RTS |
| 2000 | Homeworld: Cataclysm | Barking Dog expansion |
| 2003 | Homeworld 2 | Sequel |
Other Strategy & Simulation
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Betrayal at Krondor | Raymond E. Feist RPG |
| 1994 | Outpost | Space colony sim |
| 1994 | Alien Legacy | Space colony sim |
| 1995 | Shannara | Terry Brooks RPG |
| 1996 | Birthright | D&D strategy |
| 1996 | Rise & Rule of Ancient Empires | Strategy |
| 1996 | Civil War General | Wargame |
| 1997 | Civil War Generals 2 | Wargame |
| 1997 | Lords of Magic | Fantasy strategy |
| 1997 | Outpost 2 | Colony sim sequel |
| 1997 | Betrayal in Antara | RPG spiritual successor |
| 2001 | Arcanum | Troika steampunk RPG |
| 2001 | Empire Earth | RTS |
| 2002 | Empire Earth expansion | Add-on |
Front Page Sports Series
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | FPS Football 92 | Football sim debut |
| 1993 | FPS Football Pro | Football |
| 1994 | FPS Football Pro ‘95 | Football |
| 1994 | FPS Baseball Pro | Baseball debut |
| 1995 | FPS Football Pro ‘96 | Football |
| 1996 | FPS Football Pro ‘97 | Football |
| 1996 | FPS Baseball Pro ‘96 | Baseball |
| 1997 | FPS Football Pro ‘98 | Football |
| 1997 | FPS Baseball Pro ‘98 | Baseball |
| 1997 | FPS Golf | Golf sim |
| 1997 | FPS Golf Tour Course Add-On | Expansion |
| 1997 | FPS Ski Racing | Skiing |
| 1997 | FPS Trophy Rivers | Fishing |
| 1999 | FPS Ski Racing 99 | Skiing sequel |
Trophy Bass Series
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Trophy Bass | Fishing sim debut |
| 1996 | FPS Trophy Bass 2 | Sequel |
| 1999 | Field & Stream: Trophy Bass 3D | Licensed rebrand |
| 2000 | Field & Stream: Trophy Bass 4 | Final entry |
Other Sierra Sports Titles
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Sierra Soccer | Amiga exclusive |
| 1997 | CART Racing | IndyCar-style |
| 1998 | PGA Championship Golf | Licensed golf |
| 1999 | Professional Bull Rider | Rodeo |
3-D Ultra Series
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 3-D Ultra Pinball | Pinball |
| 1996 | 3-D Ultra Pinball: Creep Night | Halloween themed |
| 1997 | 3-D Ultra MiniGolf | Mini golf |
| 1997 | 3-D Ultra Pinball: Lost Continent | Dinosaurs |
| 1998 | 3-D Ultra MiniGolf Deluxe | Enhanced |
| 1998 | 3-D Ultra NASCAR Pinball | Racing themed |
| 1999 | 3-D Ultra Cool Pool | Billiards |
| 1999 | 3-D Ultra TrainTown | Model trains |
| 1999 | 3-D Ultra Pinball: Power | Pinball |
| 1999 | 3-D Ultra RC Racers | RC cars |
| 2000 | 3-D Ultra TrainTown Deluxe | Enhanced |
| 2000 | 3-D Ultra Pinball: Thrill Ride | Theme park |
| 2000 | 3-D Ultra RC Racers Traxxas | Enhanced |
| 2000 | Maximum Pool | Pool |
Post-2000 Titles
Action Games
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | No One Lives Forever | Monolith spy FPS |
| 2000 | Ground Control | Massive RTS |
| 2002 | No One Lives Forever 2 | Sequel |
| 2003 | Contract J.A.C.K. | NOLF spin-off |
| 2004 | Ground Control II | RTS sequel |
| 2005 | SWAT 4 | Tactical shooter |
| 2006 | SWAT 4 expansion | Add-on |
| 2007 | World in Conflict | RTS |
Casual & Party Games
| Year | Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude | Comedy reboot |
| 2006 | 3D Ultra MiniGolf Adventures | Xbox 360 |
| 2010 | 3D Ultra MiniGolf Adventures 2 | Sequel |
Third-Party Published Titles
Sierra distributed these games without development involvement:
| Year | Game | Developer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Diablo | Blizzard Entertainment | Distribution only |
| 1997 | Diablo: Hellfire | Synergistic | Expansion |
| 1995-2000 | You Don’t Know Jack series | Jellyvision | Trivia games |
| 1988 | Silpheed | Game Arts | Japanese shooter |
| 1988 | Zeliard | Game Arts | Action RPG |
| 1990 | Sorcerian | Game Arts | RPG |
| 1999 | Die Hard Trilogy 2 | n-Space | Licensed action |
| 1999 | Viper Racing | Monster Games | Racing |
| 2001 | Throne of Darkness | Click Entertainment | Action RPG |
Cancelled Projects
| Game | Series |
|---|---|
| Space Quest VII | Space Quest |
| King’s Quest IX | King’s Quest |
| Leisure Suit Larry 8 | LSL |
| Manhunter 3 | Manhunter |
| Babylon 5: Into the Fire | Standalone |
| NFL Football Pro ‘99 | FPS (recalled) |
Notes
After corporate restructuring in the late 1990s, Sierra On-Line branding gradually gave way to sub-labels like Sierra Studios and Sierra Sports for specific genres, but the Sierra On-Line name remains iconic in adventure and PC gaming history.