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Guywelch2000 (talk | contribs) ←Replaced content with 'Bill Davis served as the creative director at Sierra On-Line, where he implemented several changes that impacted the industry’s approach to game design. These initiatives by Davis influenced Sierra's game design and contributed to setting new standards in the gaming industry, especially in the areas of game art and animation. <ref>{{cite web |url=https://adventuregamers.com/articles/view/a-sierra-retrospective-part-4-canvassing-ever-changing-a...' Tag: Replaced |
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Bill Davis served as the [[creative director]] at Sierra On-Line, where he implemented several changes that impacted the industry’s approach to [[game design]]. These initiatives by Davis influenced Sierra's game design and contributed to setting new standards in the gaming industry, especially in the areas of game art and animation. <ref>{{cite web |url=https://adventuregamers.com/articles/view/a-sierra-retrospective-part-4-canvassing-ever-changing-art |title=A Sierra Retrospective: Part 4 - Works of Art |author=Shawn Mills |date=2017-11-10 |accessdate=2024-04-13}}</ref> |
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{{short description|Video game series}} |
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{{Use American English|date=May 2019}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}} |
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{{Infobox video game series |
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| title = Leisure Suit Larry |
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| image = |
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| caption = Cover art for the 1997 collection |
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| developer = [[Sierra Entertainment]], [[High Voltage Software]], [[Team17]], Replay Games, CrazyBunch |
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| publisher = Sierra Entertainment, [[Codemasters]], Replay Games, Assemble Entertainment |
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| platforms = |
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| genre = [[Graphic adventure game|Graphic adventure]] |
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| spinoffs = |
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| first release version = ''[[Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards]]'' |
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| first release date = July 5, 1987 |
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| latest release version = ''[[Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Dry Twice]]'' |
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| latest release date = October 23, 2020 |
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}} |
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Davis introduced traditional media such as painting and sculpting into Sierra's game design, moving away from the prevalent low-resolution digital creation methods. Under Davis, artists drew backgrounds and animations by hand before scanning them into games, achieving sharper, more realistic visuals. Davis introduced advanced animation techniques, such as [[rotoscoping]] and [[squash and stretch]], to improve the realism and expressiveness of character movements in Sierra’s games. |
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'''''Leisure Suit Larry''''' is an [[Sexual content in video games|adult-themed]] [[sex comedy]] video game series created by [[Al Lowe]]. Drawing inspiration from ''[[Softporn Adventure]]'', the ''Leisure Suit Larry'' series centers on [[Larry Laffer]]—a middle-aged man known for his [[Hair_loss|balding head]], penchant for [[double entendre]], and iconic [[leisure suit|leisure suits]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Baker |first=Patrick |date=September 7, 2022 |title=Retrospective of Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards |website=No Dice No Glory |url=https://nodicenoglory.com/2022/09/07/retrospective-of-leisure-suit-larry-in-the-land-of-the-lounge-lizards/ |access-date=2024-04-09}}</ref> The stories typically focus on his unsuccessful attempts to seduce young women, portraying him as an unsuccessful [[pickup artist]]. A common link between the games are Larry's explorations of luxurious and cosmopolitan hotels, ships, beaches, resorts, and casinos.<ref>{{cite news |last=Shannon |first=L. R. |title=Peripherals; Choices in Publishing |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/01/science/peripherals-choices-in-publishing.html?searchResultPosition=8 |publisher=The New York Times |date=September 1, 1987 |access-date=2024-04-11}}</ref> |
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Davis also recognized the need for more structured management of art in game production. In response, he established the role of [[Art Director]] at Sierra to oversee and unify the visual components of games, which aimed to maintain a consistent style across various projects. Additionally, Davis responded to the increasing demands for high-quality animation by [[Outsourcing_of_animation|outsourcing animation]] work to international studios, a practice adapted from traditional animation that was relatively new to video games. |
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The series became notable for its blend of humor, parody, and [[sexual fantasy]], a departure from the norm in [[Sierra_Entertainment|Sierra's]] otherwise family-friendly catalog.<ref name="retro1" /> Under Lowe’s creative direction, the franchise launched its first six games between 1987 and 1996, becoming a [[Cult_following|cult classic]]. Following a hiatus, the series was revived with new installments overseen by a variety of development teams without Lowe's involvement. As of 2011, the series has sold 10 million copies.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/replay-games-raises-more-than-600k-on-kickstarter-for-leisure-suit-larry-game/ |title=Replay Games raises more than $600K on Kickstarter |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |publisher=VentureBeat |access-date=2024-04-07}}</ref> Sierra co-founder [[Ken_Williams_(game_developer)|Ken Williams]] describes Leisure Suit Larry as the company's best-known franchise.<ref name="Ken Williams">{{cite book |title=Not All Fairy Tales Have Happy Endings: The Rise and Fall of Sierra On-Line |author=Ken Williams |date=July 24, 2020 |isbn=978-1716727368}}</ref> |
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He advocated for maintaining a consistent art style across different Sierra game series, marking a shift from previous practices where each game might have a distinct visual style. This approach aimed to strengthen Sierra’s [[Brand#Brand_identity|brand identity]] through visual cohesion. Davis also sought to match specific artistic styles with the themes of different games. For example, Davis explored using cubism for ''[[Leisure Suit Larry]]'' to match the game's quirky nature. He persuaded creator [[Al Lowe]] to adopt a cartoonish style for Larry, enhancing the game's wild visual humor. <ref>{{cite journal |title=Larry's New Look |author=Lorelei Shannon |journal=Sierra/Dynamix News Magazine |date=Summer 1991 |page=7}}</ref> |
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{{TOC limit|3}} |
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==Games== |
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===Original Series=== |
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{{multiple image |
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| align = right |
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| direction = horizontal |
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| image1 = On-Line Systems - Softporn Adventure.jpg |
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| width1 = 145 |
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| caption1 = ''[[Softporn Adventure]]'' (1981), the text-based game that inspired ''Leisure Suit Larry''. |
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| image2 = Leisure-Suit-Larry-1.jpg |
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| width2 = 140 |
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| caption2 = Box art for ''[[Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards]]'' (1987). |
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}} |
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[[Al Lowe]], a designer and programmer on titles like [[Donald_Duck%27s_Playground|''Donald Duck's Playground'']] and [[King%27s_Quest_III|''King's Quest III'']], sought to innovate by creating a game that blended humor with interactive storytelling. Inspired by the humor in movies and TV, Lowe aimed to prove that games could be funny too.<ref>{{cite web |last=Andreadis |first=Kosta |date=December 26, 2014 |title=Talking Leisure Suit Larry with Al Lowe |website=IGN |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/12/26/talking-leisure-suit-larry-with-al-lowe |access-date=2024-04-09}}</ref> Lowe leveraged the technological advancements established by [[Adventure Game Interpreter]], the engine that behind Sierra's successful series, [[King%27s_Quest|''King's Quest'']] and [[Space_Quest|''Space Quest'']], to venture into an untapped commercial niche. |
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The series originated with ''[[Softporn Adventure]]'', a 1981 [[interactive fiction|text adventure]] game by Chuck Benton, published by Sierra.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://medium.com/mel-magazine/an-oral-history-of-leisure-suit-larry-ef41bc374802 |title=An Oral History of ‘Leisure Suit Larry’ |last=Veix |first=Joe |publisher=MEL Magazine |access-date=2024-04-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://allowe.com/downloads/games.html |title=Al Lowe Downloads game history |access-date=March 21, 2007 |year=2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070324231836/http://www.allowe.com/More/download.htm |archive-date=March 24, 2007}}</ref><ref name="retro1">{{cite web |url=https://retro365.blog/2021/10/01/bits-from-my-personal-collection-leisure-suit-larry-al-lowes-gaming-legacy-part-1/ |title=Leisure Suit Larry, Al Lowe’s Gaming Legacy, Part 1 |website=RETRO365 |date=October 1, 2021 |access-date=2024-04-07}}</ref> This game's plot set the stage for the first [[Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards|the first "Larry" installment]]. Al Lowe, reflecting on the game's dated feel, likened it to a '70s [[leisure suit]], a comment that not only influenced the franchise's direction but also inspired the creation of its main character, [[Larry Laffer]].<ref name="retro1" /> Laffer's persona was partly based on individuals Lowe encountered while performing as a musician in 1970s bars, where he observed their often-unsuccessful attempts to pick-up women.<ref name="retro1" /> |
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Lowe maintained the original's structure but rewrote the narrative to include a comedic voice that pokes fun at Larry, significantly altering [[Softporn]]'s tone. This approach retained just one original line, emphasizing Lowe's significant reimagining of the game’s narrative voice.<ref name="Sierra Adventure">{{cite book |last=Mills |first=Shawn |title=The Sierra Adventure: The Story of Sierra On-Line |isbn=978-1716867064}}</ref> Although Chuck Benton, ''Softporn''’s creator, is credited in ''Larry'', he did not contribute to its development. |
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The ''Leisure Suit Larry'' series distinguished itself from other adult-themed games with its focus on comedy over explicit content. Marketed by Sierra as a light-hearted adult adventure, Larry aimed for laughs rather than pure titillation, setting it apart in a landscape populated by titles like ''[[Artworx#Strip_Poker|Strip Poker]]'', ''[[Sex Vixens from Space]]'', ''[[Leather Goddesses of Phobos]]'', ''[[MacPlaymate]]'' and ''[[Cobra Mission]]''.<ref name="retro1" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/epg9be/did-sierra-create-leisure-suit-larry-virus-stop-piracy |title=Was Leisure Suit Larry Really an Accomplice in Early Banking Cyberattacks? |last=Fyfe |first=Duncan |date=April 8, 2020 |website=Vice |access-date=2024-04-07}}</ref> At most, the raunchier moments were usually hidden as [[Easter Egg(virtual)|Easter eggs]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://larrylaffer.net/lslgames/lsl7-general/lsl7-easter-eggs |title=LSL7 – Easter Eggs |publisher=Larry Laffer Dot Net |access-date=2024-04-07}}</ref> |
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''Leisure Suit Larry'' gained notoriety not just for its adult-themed content but also as a symbol of the rampant issue of [[Online_piracy|software piracy]]. The scale of piracy was such that, according to Sierra, sales of hint books for the game at one point surpassed the sales of the game itself.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wood |first=Austin |title=How Leisure Suit Larry Bootlegs Infected the European Banking System |website=PC Gamer |date=June 19, 2018 |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/how-leisure-suit-larry-bootlegs-infected-the-european-banking-system/ |access-date=}}</ref> Moreover, pirated versions of ''Leisure Suit Larry'' carried an unexpected threat: [[Computer_virus|computer viruses]]. Banks in Switzerland, Germany, and England experienced significant data losses after employees, in ill-advised attempts to play pirated versions on work computers, introduced these viruses into their systems.<ref>{{cite news |last=Abrahams |first=Paul |title=Leisure-suit Larry's pirates hit computers |newspaper=Financial Times |date=November 30, 1988 |access-date=}}</ref> |
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Recognized as one of 1988's best-selling games by the [[Software_and_Information_Industry_Association|Software Publishers Association]], sales of ''Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards'' surpassed 250,000 copies in its first year.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lammle |first=Rob |date=April 25, 2012 |title=From King's Quest to Leisure Suit Larry: A Brief History of Sierra On-Line |website=Mental Floss |url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/30538/kings-quest-leisure-suit-larry-brief-history-sierra-line |access-date=2024-04-09}}</ref> And the first three installments each sold more than their predecessors their initial 90 days of release.<ref>{{cite report |title=1991 Annual Report |publisher=Sierra On-Line, Inc. |page=11}}</ref> However, by the time ''[[Leisure Suit Larry 5: Passionate Patti Does a Little Undercover Work]]'' was released, sales began to plateau. ''[[Leisure_Suit_Larry:_Love_for_Sail!|Leisure Suit Larry: Love for Sail!]]'', despite critical acclaim and a booming home PC market, only sold around 280,000 copies—a figure below expectations for a mid-90s flagship game, and insufficient to recoup the millions spent on development and manufacturing.<ref name="retro">{{cite web |url=https://retro365.blog/2021/10/30/bits-from-my-personal-collection-leisure-suit-larry-al-lowes-gaming-legacy-part-2/ |title=Leisure Suit Larry, Al Lowe’s Gaming Legacy, Part 2 |website=RETRO365 |date=October 30, 2021 |access-date=2024-04-07}}</ref> |
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Following its acquisition by [[CUC International]] in 1996, Lowe's relationship with Sierra underwent significant changes. The adult content of the series became a source of contention within the conglomerate, especially within the conservative business culture of its educational software division, [[Davidson & Associates]].<ref name="Ken Williams" /> Furthermore, [[Ken_Williams_(game_developer)|Ken Williams]], who had been a fervent supporter of designers with a strong vision for their games, left the company that same year. This departure left Lowe without a key advocate.<ref name="Ken Williams" /> |
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In 1998, while ''Leisure Suit Larry 8: Lust in Space'' was getting underway, Sierra decided to halt production.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://allowe.com/games/larry/history-of-larry/is-mcl-larry-8.html |title=Larry 8: the Larry that never was... |last=Lowe |first=Al |publisher=allowe.com |access-date=2024-04-06}}</ref> Subsequent ''Larry'' games were released without Lowe's involvement. Lowe, who was on contract rather than a salaried position at Sierra, did not design any more ''Leisure Suit Larry'' games.<ref name="Ken Williams" /> |
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===Spin-offs and Sequels=== |
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''[[Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude]]'', a spin-off from the original series, introduced Larry Lovage, Leisure Suit Larry's college-aged nephew, as the new protagonist, along with changes in gameplay. It was the first to feature full 3D graphics and to be released on consoles.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ocampo |first=Jason |date=June 7, 2004 |title=Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude Hands-On Impressions |website=GameSpot |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/leisure-suit-larry-magna-cum-laude-hands-on-impressions/1100-6099853/ |access-date=2024-04-09}}</ref> Developed by [[High Voltage Software]] and published by Sierra in 2004, the game received mixed reviews. <ref>{{cite web |title=Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude |website=Metacritic |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/leisure-suit-larry-magna-cum-laude/ |access-date=2024-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude |url=https://www.ign.com/games/leisure-suit-larry-magna-cum-laude/ |website=IGN |accessdate=2024-04-07}}</ref> |
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In 2008, Sierra Entertainment announced plans to release ''[[Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sierra.com/en/home/news/product_news/011708_-_lsl_bob_announcement.html |title=Leisure Suit Larry does Hollywood with new comedic adventure video game in 2008 |publisher=Sierra Online Games |access-date=June 4, 2008 |date=January 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430172035/http://www.sierra.com/en/home/news/product_news/011708_-_lsl_bob_announcement.html |archive-date=April 30, 2008}}</ref> It was developed by [[Team17]], and the publishing rights were offered to [[Codemasters]], who published the game in 2009. ''Box Office Bust'' was [[List of video games notable for negative reception|panned by critics]], including Al Lowe himself, who thanked the publisher for keeping him away from developing the game.<ref>{{cite web |accessdate=May 3, 2022 |title=Leisure Suit Larry creator says Box Office Bust is a "disaster" |url=https://www.vg247.com/leisure-suit-larry-creator-says-box-office-bust-is-a-disaster |date=April 10, 2009 |website=VG247}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |accessdate=May 3, 2022 |title=Box Office Bust - Al Lowe's Humor Site |url=https://allowe.com/games/larry/history-of-larry/box-office-bust.html |website=allowe.com}}</ref> |
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Assemble Entertainment released two ''Leisure Suit Larry'' games, rejuvenating the series with contemporary settings while retaining its humor. ''[[Leisure_Suit_Larry:_Wet_Dreams_Don%27t_Dry|Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Don't Dry]]'' (2018) places Larry in the modern dating world, while its sequel, ''[[Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Dry Twice|Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Dry Twice]]'' (2020), continues his quest for love. |
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===Remakes and Remasters=== |
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[[File:Leisure-Suit-Larry-VGA-remake.jpg|thumb|''[[Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards]]'' 1991 remake.]] |
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In 1991, Sierra leveraged advancements in technology to support [[Video_Graphics_Array|256-color graphics]] for the ''Leisure Suit Larry'' VGA remake. [[Bill_Davis_(artist)|Bill Davis]], an Emmy-winning artist and graphic designer, served as the creative director for the Leisure Suit Larry I remake. His choice of a [[Cubist]] style challenged conventional video game aesthetics while echoing the series' humor and cartoon-like nature of Larry's universe. The creative process included converting hand-painted backgrounds into digital formats, ensuring they complemented the game’s established aesthetic and the recognizable character design of Larry, previously defined by the series' box art.<ref name="retro" /> |
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In 2007, [[Vivendi Universal Games]] released a mobile [[video game remake|remake]] of ''Love for Sail!''. Despite the same name, it is a completely different game with an original plot.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leisure Suit Larry: Love for Sail Mobile |website=Leisure Suit Larry Omnipedia Wiki |url=https://leisuresuitlarry.fandom.com/wiki/Leisure_Suit_Larry:_Love_for_Sail_Mobile}}</ref> |
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In 2013, ''[[Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded]]'', a crowdfunded Kickstarter project and the second remake of the original game, was released in collaboration with series creator Al Lowe. While it received mixed to average reviews, critics noted its nostalgic charm but also pointed out that its features and design felt outdated. Lowe discussed the possibility of remaking ''Leisure Suit Larry 2'' or creating a new sequel, ''Leisure Suit Larry 8''. However, both projects were ultimately canceled.<ref name=digitaltrends>{{cite web |last=John |first=Anthony |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/funny-man-al-lowe-on-leisure-suit-larry-reloaded-and-leisure-suit-larry-8/ |title=Digital Trends |publisher=Digital Trends |date=April 26, 2013 |access-date=July 29, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709223608/http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/funny-man-al-lowe-on-leisure-suit-larry-reloaded-and-leisure-suit-larry-8/ |archive-date=July 9, 2013}}</ref> |
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=== Voice Acting === |
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The CD-ROM version of ''[[Leisure Suit Larry 6: Shape Up or Slip Out!]]'', which doubled the resolution of the original floppy version, is the first Larry game with [[Voice_acting|voice acting]]. The character of [[Larry Laffer]] was voiced by [[Jan Rabson]]. Larry Lovage, the protagonist of ''Magna Cum Laude'' and ''Box Office Bust'', was voiced by [[Tim Dadabo]]. |
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== Release Timeline == |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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!Year |
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!Title |
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!Developer |
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!Language |
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!Platforms |
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|- |
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! colspan="5" scope="col" style="background-color:#ccccff;" |Main series |
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|- |
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! scope="row" |1987 |
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|''[[Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards]]'' |
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| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | [[Sierra On-Line]] |
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| rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;" | English |
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| [[MS-DOS]], [[Amiga]], [[Apple II series|Apple II]]/[[Apple IIGS|IIGS]], [[Classic Mac OS|Mac OS]], [[Atari ST]], [[TRS-80 Color Computer|Tandy Color Computer 3]] |
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|- |
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!1988 |
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|''[[Leisure Suit Larry Goes Looking for Love (in Several Wrong Places)|Leisure Suit Larry: Goes Looking for Love (in Several Wrong Places)]]'' |
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|MS-DOS, Amiga, Atari ST |
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|- |
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!1989 |
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|''[[Leisure Suit Larry III: Passionate Patti in Pursuit of the Pulsating Pectorals]]'' |
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|MS-DOS, Amiga, Atari ST |
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|- |
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!1991 |
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|''[[Leisure Suit Larry 5: Passionate Patti Does a Little Undercover Work]]'' |
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|MS-DOS, Amiga, [[Microsoft Windows]], Mac OS |
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|- |
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!1993 |
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|''[[Leisure Suit Larry 6: Shape Up or Slip Out!]]'' |
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|English, German, Polish |
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|MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS |
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|- |
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!1996 |
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|''[[Leisure Suit Larry: Love for Sail!]]'' |
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|English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Polish |
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|MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS |
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|- |
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!2004 |
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|''[[Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude]]'' |
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|style="text-align:center;"|[[High Voltage Software]] |
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|English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Dutch |
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|style="text-align:center;" |Microsoft Windows, [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] |
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|- |
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!2009 |
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|''[[Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust]]'' |
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|style="text-align:center;" |[[Team17]] |
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|English, Spanish, French, German, Italian |
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|style="text-align:center;" |Microsoft Windows, [[PlayStation 3]], [[Xbox 360]] |
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|- |
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!2018 |
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|''[[Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Don't Dry]]'' |
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| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | CrazyBunch |
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|English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Polish |
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|style="text-align:center;" |Microsoft Windows, [[macOS]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[Xbox One]], [[Nintendo Switch]] |
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|- |
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!2020 |
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|''[[Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Dry Twice]]'' |
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|English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Polish, Chinese |
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|style="text-align:center;" |Microsoft Windows, MacOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, [[Android (operating system)|Android]] |
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|- |
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! colspan="5" scope="col" style="background-color:#ccccff;" |Remakes and remasters |
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|- |
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!1991 |
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|''[[Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards]]'' (remake of 1987 entry) |
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| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Sierra On-Line |
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|English |
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|MS-DOS, Amiga, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS |
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|- |
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! scope="row" |1994 |
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|''[[Leisure Suit Larry 6: Shape Up or Slip Out!]]'' (remastered graphics) |
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|English, German, Polish |
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|MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS |
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|- |
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!2013 |
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|''[[Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded]]'' (2nd remake of 1987 entry) |
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|style="text-align:center;" | N-Fusion Interactive |
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|English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Polish |
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|style="text-align:center;" | Microsoft Windows, macOS, [[iOS]], [[Linux]], Android |
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|- |
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|} |
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==Unreleased games== |
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===''Leisure Suit Larry 4: The Missing Floppies''=== |
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''Leisure Suit Larry 4: The Missing Floppies'' is the name for a never-made fourth installment, often regarded as an in-joke. The name, used by official sources and fans, refers to rumors that the reason for the cancellation of the game was the losing of the game's original production [[floppy disks]], after which the developers refused to remake the game from scratch. Other sources claim that it was nothing but an internal office [[prank]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Hardcore Gaming 101: Leisure Suit Larry |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/lsl/lsl3.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613063251/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/lsl/lsl3.htm |archive-date=June 13, 2014 |publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101 |access-date=February 2, 2010}}</ref> The franchise's installments were numbered as if this installment had been published; the actual fourth installment was ''Leisure Suit Larry 5: Passionate Patti Does a Little Undercover Work''. |
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Al Lowe gave two official reasons for the cancellation of ''Leisure Suit Larry 4''. The first was that Sierra had begun work on a multiplayer installment for [[The Sierra Network]], but the project failed mostly due to technical reasons. The second was that the ending of ''[[Leisure Suit Larry 3: Passionate Patti in Pursuit of the Pulsating Pectorals|Larry 3]]'' was definitive and somehow [[metafiction]]al, since it showed Larry and Patti coming to the Sierra studios to make games based on their adventures, as well as living happily in a mountain cabin in [[Coarsegold, California|Coarsegold]]. This completed a relatively cohesive trilogy, and was a dead-end for a new story arc. In 2012, Lowe discussed what happened to the fourth installment in a video made for a [[Kickstarter]] project, in which he said that the idea for skipping ''Larry 4'' came as a flippant comment in the office, and became a "real marketing coup" when selling ''Larry 5'' because buyers would immediately ask what happened to the fourth. It became "one of software's big jokes".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzFdJk69opE |title=Fireside Chat, Part 3 |last=Lowe |first=Al |date=April 27, 2012 |publisher=Replay Games Inc. on YouTube |access-date=April 28, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310201615/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzFdJk69opE |archive-date=March 10, 2016}}</ref> |
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According to production notes given by Lowe, the following events must be assumed to have happened between ''Larry 3'' and ''Larry 5'' to connect the two games: Larry and Patti plan to marry; Patti leaves him at a Yosemite church to pursue her career, but Larry is gone when she returns; The villain of ''Larry 5'', Julius Biggs, somehow steals the game disks and Larry suffers amnesia. The absence of the floppy disks was introduced as a plot element in the sequel to explain how Larry, as a computer generated character, came to suffer from amnesia. ''Larry 4'' appears in several of the other games in the series, including being played in ''Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude''. ''Leisure Suit Larry: Love For Sale Mobile'' takes place during the ''Larry 4'' development years, and a subplot for the best ending requires finding the lost disks.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Kohler |first1=Chris |title=Leisure Suit Larry Goes Mobile, Strikes Out |url=https://www.wired.com/2008/03/impressions-lei/ |magazine=Wired |access-date=November 30, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208065809/http://www.wired.com/2008/03/impressions-lei/ |archive-date=December 8, 2015}}</ref> A folder named LSL4 could be found on the CD of ''Leisure Suit Larry Collection'' in which Al Lowe left a note in a readme file referencing the game and concluding "who says sequels have to be done sequentially?". |
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''[[MAD Magazine]]'' proposed what ''Leisure Suit Larry 4'' might have looked like in a 1990 issue spoofing video games. Their idea was "the after effect of Larry's screwing around with the time coming for Larry having to pay the piper." They proposed the idea of Larry in a maze game similar to ''[[Berzerk (arcade game)|Berzerk]]'', where he must steer clear of out-of-wedlock pregnancies he has caused, as well as private investigators, case workers and angry fathers wielding shotguns, making it extremely difficult for Larry to continue his infamous carefree attitude towards casual sex. On April 1, 2009, the [[abandonware]] site [[Abandonia]] released an alleged "leaked copy" for download. This turned out in fact to be an elaborate [[April Fools' Day]] prank: the screenshots were fakes, the review was fictional, and the "game" archive actually contained 55 identical copies of scanned front casing of ''Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust''. |
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The game is a part of the plot of ''[[Space Quest 4: Roger Wilco and the Time Rippers]]'', another Sierra title. In the game, LSL4 is labeled as the cause of a supercomputer virus that crippled Roger's home planet Xenon. |
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The fourth part is also considered as the remake of the first game, since it is included in the compilations together with the regular games and was released between the third and fifth part.<ref>{{cite news |title=Leisure Suit Larry's Greatest Hits and Misses! Box Shot for PC - GameFAQs |url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/pc/925219-leisure-suit-larrys-greatest-hits-and-misses/boxes/102845 |work=gamefaqs.gamespot.com}}</ref> |
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===''Leisure Suit Larry 8''=== |
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''Leisure Suit Larry 8'', tentatively subtitled ''Lust in Space'' (as well as ''Explores Uranus'' in some references), was in full development in 1998 until funding was cut. Shortly afterwards, Sierra's adventure games department was disbanded, and [[Al Lowe]] left [[Sierra Entertainment|Sierra]] on February 22, 1999. Like the canned ''[[Space Quest]]'' sequel, ''Larry 8'' was to feature [[3D computer graphics]], but no more than a few test renders now survive.<ref>[http://allowe.com/larry/history-of-larry/is-mcl-larry-8.html Leisure Suit Larry 8<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040204083617/http://www.allowe.com/Larry/8.htm |date=February 4, 2004 }}</ref> The game ''Leisure Suit Larry: Explores Uranus'', as well as its teaser, was referenced in ''Leisure Suit Larry: Love for Sail!'' triggered with an Easter egg, as well as a teaser after completing the game. In 2013, Al Lowe pointed out that this title is still being considered, with support from series co-writer Josh Mandel. Lowe stated that even though he would like to complete the ''Reloaded'' series first, ''Leisure Suit Larry 8'' is "absolutely" still in the works.<ref name="digitaltrends" /> |
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===''Leisure Suit Larry: Pocket Party''=== |
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''Leisure Suit Larry: Pocket Party'' was a canceled game meant to be released in the second half of 2005 for the [[N-Gage (device)|N-Gage]]. The publishers were Vivendi and [[Nokia]], while the developer was TKO-Software.<ref name=gamespy /> In the game, players would explore a 3D college campus, while solving puzzles and engaging in risque activities. As they search for the ultimate good time, gamers bump into Rosie Palmer, the head cheerleader at Larry's college. Attempting to win over Rosie's heart, Larry is thoroughly embarrassed by her jock boyfriend Chuck Rockwell, but humiliation has never stopped Larry before and he is determined to do anything to be with Rosie.<ref name="GameZone; Pocket Party">{{cite web |url=https://ngage.gamezone.com/gamesell/p24556.htm |title=Leisure Suit Larry: Pocket Party |publisher=GameZone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011122642/http://ngage.gamezone.com/gamesell/p24556.htm |archive-date=October 11, 2007 |access-date=October 1, 2014}}</ref> In addition to singleplayer game play, players could also wirelessly battle an opponent in four different turn-based mini-games.<ref name=gamespy>[http://wireless.gamespy.com/n-gage/leisure-suit-larry-pocket-party/ GameSpy] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808171610/http://wireless.gamespy.com/n-gage/leisure-suit-larry-pocket-party/ |date=August 8, 2012 }}</ref> Concept art and design document of the game are in hands of Jody Hicks, one of the game's developers.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hicks |first=Jody |url=https://twitter.com/Uncle_Jody/status/1004041845377126404 |title=One of these days I'll release the design document for the unreleased Leisure Suit Larry : Pocket Party game for the N-Gage. I also have tons of concept art for the game lying around here somewhere. |publisher=[[Twitter]] |date=June 5, 2018 |access-date=June 5, 2018}}</ref> An alpha prototype was spotted at the ObscureGamers forum in February 2021.<ref>DirkDagger (February 25, 2021). [http://www.obscuregamers.com/threads/3315 ObscureGamers] [https://web.archive.org/web/20210303103911/https://www.obscuregamers.com/threads/nokia-n-gage-qd-leisure-suit-larry-pocket-party-alpha-cancelled.3315/ Archived] from the original on March 3, 2021.</ref> |
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===''Leisure Suit Larry: Cocoa Butter''=== |
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In late 2005, [[Target Corporation|Target]] department stores (through online vendor [[Amazon.com]]) began accepting pre-orders for a sequel to ''Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude'' titled ''Leisure Suit Larry: Cocoa Butter''. This new game was being developed for the PC, PS2, Xbox and PSP systems, but has since been canceled. |
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==Collections== |
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Several ''Larry'' collections have been compiled: |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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! Year |
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! Collection |
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! Contents |
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|- |
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| '''1991''' |
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| ''Larry 3-Pack'' |
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| Included the first three games. |
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|- |
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| '''1994''' |
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| ''Leisure Suit Larry's Greatest Hits & Misses'' |
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| Included all Larry games up to ''Larry 6'', both versions of the original game, VGA floppy version of ''Larry 6'', the ''Laffer Utilities'', the original ''Softporn'' game, and a limited-edition ''Leisure Suit Larry'' book titled "My Scrapbook". |
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|- |
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| '''1997''' |
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| ''Leisure Suit Larry: Collection Series'' |
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| A two-CD collection with everything from the previous collection, plus VGA and SVGA CD-ROM versions of ''Larry 6'', a ''Larry 7'' preview, ''Larry's Big Score: Pinball'', and ''The Official Book of LSL (Perfectbound Edition)''. |
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|- |
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| '''1999''' |
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| ''Leisure Suit Larry: The Ultimate Pleasure Pack'' |
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| A four-CD collection adding 1998's ''Larry's Casino'' and the full version of ''Love for Sail!'' to the previous collection's contents. |
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|- |
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| '''2006''' |
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| ''Leisure Suit Larry Collection'' |
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| Contains the first six games on floppy (with the ''Larry 1'' VGA remake instead of the EGA original and excluding the CD edition of ''Larry 6''). Excluded ''Love for Sail!'' due to a hidden Easter egg. Came without printed documentation, including [[PDFs]] of the original manuals and loaded through [[DOSBox]]. |
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|- |
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| '''2013''' |
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| ''Leisure Suit Larry: Greatest Hits and Misses!'' |
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| A downloadable release on [[GOG.com]] including ''Larry 1–6'' (both EGA and VGA remake of ''Larry 1'', and VGA and SVGA CD versions of ''Larry 6'') and ''Softporn Adventure''. ''Larry 7'' sold separately.<ref>{{cite web |author=byainu |url=https://www.gog.com/game/leisure_suit_larry |title=Leisure Suit Larry for download $9.99 |publisher=GOG.com |date=January 17, 2013 |access-date=July 29, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629192636/http://www.gog.com/gamecard/leisure_suit_larry |archive-date=June 29, 2013}}</ref> ''Softporn Adventure'' was removed from the pack on February 28, 2018, but remains available to prior purchasers.,<ref>{{cite web |title=The "what did just update?" thread post #19152 |url=https://www.gog.com/forum/general/the_what_did_just_update_thread/post19152 |website=[[GOG.com]] |access-date=April 30, 2019 |date=February 28, 2018}}</ref> |
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|- |
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| '''2021''' |
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| ''Leisure Suit Larry Collection Bundle Game Bundle'' (Limited-time) |
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| Offered by humblebundle.com, includes up to nine games with two tiers: titles 1-3 for at least $1 and all nine for at least $10. Titles include ''Leisure Suit Larry 1-3'', ''Magna Cum Laude Uncut and Uncensored'', ''Leisure Suit Larry 5-7'', and ''Leisure Suit Larry - Wet Dreams Don't Dry'' and ''Wet Dreams Dry Twice''.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Leisure Suit Larry Collection Bundle Game Bundle |url=https://www.humblebundle.com/games/leisure-suit-larry-collection-bundle |access-date=November 14, 2021}}</ref> |
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|} |
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==Other software== |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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! Year |
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! Title |
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! Description |
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|- |
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| '''1989''' |
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| ''[[Hoyle's Official Book of Games|Hoyle Book of Games, Volume I]]'' |
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| Larry Laffer appears as a character who interacts and speaks with other players. |
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|- |
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| '''1992''' |
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| ''LarryLand'' |
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| An adult-themed experience within [[The Sierra Network]] featuring casino games and a virtual bar, with playful interactions monitored for appropriate conduct.<ref name="InterAction Magazine Spring 1993">{{cite magazine |last=Geraci |first=Vince |date=Spring 1993 |title=QuickChange Artist: Confessions of a Multi-Persona TSN Player |magazine=InterAction Magazine}}</ref><ref name="Annual Report 1992">{{cite book |title=Annual Report 1992 |author=Sierra On-Line, Inc. |page=8}}</ref> |
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|- |
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| '''1992''' |
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| ''Crazy Nick's Software Picks: Leisure Suit Larry's Casino'' |
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| Part of ''Crazy Nick's Software Picks'' series, includes casino games from the ''Leisure Suit Larry'' series. |
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|- |
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| '''1992''' |
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| ''The Laffer Utilities'' |
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| A parody of the ''[[Norton Utilities]]'' package. |
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|- |
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| |
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| ''Leisure Suit Larry's Datebook'' (unreleased) |
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| Mentioned as a productivity tool featuring custom Larry screens for organizing life. Never released.<ref>[http://allowe.com/games/larry/even-more-larry/larry-links.html Larry Links] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603091745/http://www.allowe.com/games/larry/even-more-larry/larry-links.html |date=June 3, 2013 }}</ref> |
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|- |
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| '''1996''' |
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| ''Larry Pops Up!'' |
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| A non-productivity utility program and screensaver as a promo for ''Larry 7''. |
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|- |
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| '''1998''' |
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| ''Leisure Suit Larry's Casino'' |
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| Larry Laffer runs a casino with various games and an online component, now offline. |
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|- |
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| '''2004''' |
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| ''Leisure Suit Larry: Kühle Drinks und heiße Girls'' |
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| A mini-game pack released in Europe.<ref>[https://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/leisure-suit-larry-khle-drinks-und-heie-girls Leisure Suit Larry: Kühle Drinks und heiße Girls] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102040413/http://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/leisure-suit-larry-khle-drinks-und-heie-girls |date=January 2, 2011 }} at Moby Games</ref> |
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|- |
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| '''2005''' |
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| ''Leisure Suit Larry's Sexy Pinball'' |
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| A pinball game for mobile phones. |
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|- |
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| '''2006''' |
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| ''Leisure Suit Larry Bikini Beach Volley'' |
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| A beach volley game for mobile phones.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.msn.txt4content.com/details.aspx?pid=210723&cat=JAVA&location=GB |title=MSN Mobile – Bikini Beach Volley |access-date=March 21, 2007 |year=2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927222359/http://www.msn.txt4content.com/details.aspx?pid=210723&cat=JAVA&location=GB |archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref> |
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|- |
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| '''2007''' |
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| ''Leisure Suit Larry Love for Sail'' |
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| A mobile adventure game with an original story.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mobilegamefaqs.com/gameinfo.php?id=1312 |title=Mobile Games – Leisure Suit Larry Love for Sail Review |access-date=May 16, 2010 |year=2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714110258/http://www.mobilegamefaqs.com/gameinfo.php?id=1312 |archive-date=July 14, 2011}}</ref> |
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|- |
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| '''2008''' |
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| ''Leisure Suit Larry Magna Cum Laude'' |
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| A mobile game featuring mini-games to play with the number pad.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamemobile.co.uk/leisuresuitlarry.htm |title=Leisure Suit Larry Magna Cum Laude inMobile Game Domain |access-date=May 16, 2010 |year=2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413083015/http://www.gamemobile.co.uk/leisuresuitlarry.htm |archive-date=April 13, 2010}}</ref> |
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|- |
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| '''2017''' |
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| ''LarryCasino'' |
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| An online casino game requiring players to find missing objects in a new Larry Laffer adventure.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://larrycasino.com/ |title=LarryCasino.com {{!}} The world's most awesome mobile casino |website=larrycasino.com |language=en |access-date=April 3, 2017 |archive-date=December 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231065850/http://www.larrycasino.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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|} |
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==Other products== |
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* ''The Official Book of Leisure Suit Larry'' (1990) (written by Al Lowe and Ralph Roberts, containing background information and hint guides). The book was revised and edited so that there was a second (1991), a third (1993), and a fourth (1997) edition, and ''Special Edition'' (released with ''Larry Collection''). |
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* ''The Authorized Uncensored Leisure Suit Larry Bedside Companion'' (1990) (written by Peter Spear), containing the stories of the first three ''Leisure Suit Larry'' games, as well as detailed walkthroughs, point lists and maps. The book, like other Sierra books by Peter Spear such as ''The King's Quest Companion'', was revised and edited so that there was a second edition (1991) covering ''Larry 5''. |
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==Reception and Legacy== |
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The ''Leisure Suit Larry'' series became one of Sierra's most popular during the adventure genre's peak. It was ranked as the 85th top game of all time by [[Next_Generation_(magazine)|Next Generation]] in 1996, praised for its blend of campy humor and bad puns.<ref>''Next Generation'' 21 (September 1996), p.43.</ref> The total sales of the first five ''Leisure Suit Larry'' games surpassed 2 million copies by 1996, as of ''Love for Sail''{{'}}s release.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-12-08-9612020282-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708202341/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1996-12-08/lifestyle/9612020282_1_movie-site-bond-girl-web |title=''Leisure Suit'' sets sail |date=December 8, 1996 |magazine=[[Newsweek]] |archive-date=July 8, 2017}}</ref> By 1996, following the release of ''Love for Sail!'', the first five games had collectively sold over 2 million copies.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-12-08-9612020282-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708202341/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1996-12-08/lifestyle/9612020282_1_movie-site-bond-girl-web |title=''Leisure Suit'' sets sail |date=December 8, 1996 |magazine=[[Newsweek]] |archive-date=July 8, 2017}}</ref> By 2011, the series had reached a milestone of 10 million copies sold.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yin-Poole |first1=Wesley |title=Leisure Suit Larry HD remakes announced |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-10-11-leisure-suit-larry-hd-remakes-announced |access-date=June 1, 2021 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |date=October 11, 2011}}</ref> |
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Some have described ''Leisure Suit Larry'' as a "profoundly lonely" representation of American masculinity.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Thomas |first1=Joseph Earl |title=To These Writers, Video Games Are Not Just Entertainment, but Art |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/20/books/review/critical-hits-video-games-review.html?searchResultPosition=1 |website=NYTimes.com |publisher=The New York Times |date=2023-11-20 |access-date=2024-04-11}}</ref> |
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The ''Leisure Suit Larry'' series has been noted for its contribution to [[Feminist_theory|feminist discourse]] in video games. Despite initial perceptions as a series focused on humorous and adult content, it presented nuanced discussions on consent, agency, and respectful treatment of women. Larry Laffer's character, often seen respecting women's boundaries, allowed the games to challenge and subtly critique prevalent gender norms and relationships in media.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://medium.com/mammon-machine-zeal/the-surprising-feminist-overtures-of-a-leisure-suit-larry-retrospective-f8b5950c29f1 |title=The Surprising Feminist Overtures of a Leisure Suit Larry Retrospective |last=Presser |first=Rachel |date=September 10, 2018 |website=Medium |access-date=2024-04-11}}</ref> |
Revision as of 00:59, 17 April 2024
Bill Davis served as the creative director at Sierra On-Line, where he implemented several changes that impacted the industry’s approach to game design. These initiatives by Davis influenced Sierra's game design and contributed to setting new standards in the gaming industry, especially in the areas of game art and animation. [1]
Davis introduced traditional media such as painting and sculpting into Sierra's game design, moving away from the prevalent low-resolution digital creation methods. Under Davis, artists drew backgrounds and animations by hand before scanning them into games, achieving sharper, more realistic visuals. Davis introduced advanced animation techniques, such as rotoscoping and squash and stretch, to improve the realism and expressiveness of character movements in Sierra’s games.
Davis also recognized the need for more structured management of art in game production. In response, he established the role of Art Director at Sierra to oversee and unify the visual components of games, which aimed to maintain a consistent style across various projects. Additionally, Davis responded to the increasing demands for high-quality animation by outsourcing animation work to international studios, a practice adapted from traditional animation that was relatively new to video games.
He advocated for maintaining a consistent art style across different Sierra game series, marking a shift from previous practices where each game might have a distinct visual style. This approach aimed to strengthen Sierra’s brand identity through visual cohesion. Davis also sought to match specific artistic styles with the themes of different games. For example, Davis explored using cubism for Leisure Suit Larry to match the game's quirky nature. He persuaded creator Al Lowe to adopt a cartoonish style for Larry, enhancing the game's wild visual humor. [2]
- ^ Shawn Mills (2017-11-10). "A Sierra Retrospective: Part 4 - Works of Art". Retrieved 2024-04-13.
- ^ Lorelei Shannon (Summer 1991). "Larry's New Look". Sierra/Dynamix News Magazine: 7.