I wrote the graphics routines, the animation system, the audio code, the 1541 fastloader (C64), and all the art processing tools and was the one who did the ports, such at the IIgs versions. It was because of my background involvement with Bard's Tale I and II (And with Wasteland) which was why I was the one who was given the task to do Bard's Tale III and then Dragon Wars. I have the full source code to all the Bard's Tale games, and there is a lot of it with my name in it, not Michael's. Michael wrote the game logic and the main scenario code (Quite poorly, I had to re-write pretty much all of it to get it to work on other platforms). So, Michael did "write" Bard's Tale, however all the graphic and audio tricks that made it unique were of my design.
Cranford had a reputation for being a glory hog, plus the falling out with Interplay was caused by Michael holding the final version of Bard's Tale I hostage in exchange for Brian's signature on a contract giving Michael royalties. You see, no one at Interplay got royalties. We all were "work for hire" and Michael didn't appreciate that. Because the contract gave Michael control of Bard's Tale II, that's why it was so difficult a game (No one could challenge Michael's design). For Bard's Tale III, Michael Cranford was dismissed and I had Michael Stackpole work with me on both the story and the play balancing which was why I've been told that BT III was the best of the series.
Hmm, "Bill"? Did you speak to Michael over 6 years ago? He is fully aware of my transition and if he's still referring to me by that name, it's a bit disrespectful.
It certainly appears there is some serious misinformation out there about this series. I've tried repeatedly to contact Mr. Cranford to no avail (apparently the email address I have for him is no longer in service).
A bit more clarification from Ms. Heineman:
I wrote the graphics routines, the animation system, the audio code, the 1541 fastloader (C64), and all the art processing tools and was the one who did the ports, such at the IIgs versions. It was because of my background involvement with Bard's Tale I and II (And with Wasteland) which was why I was the one who was given the task to do Bard's Tale III and then Dragon Wars. I have the full source code to all the Bard's Tale games, and there is a lot of it with my name in it, not Michael's. Michael wrote the game logic and the main scenario code (Quite poorly, I had to re-write pretty much all of it to get it to work on other platforms). So, Michael did "write" Bard's Tale, however all the graphic and audio tricks that made it unique were of my design.
Cranford had a reputation for being a glory hog, plus the falling out with Interplay was caused by Michael holding the final version of Bard's Tale I hostage in exchange for Brian's signature on a contract giving Michael royalties. You see, no one at Interplay got royalties. We all were "work for hire" and Michael didn't appreciate that. Because the contract gave Michael control of Bard's Tale II, that's why it was so difficult a game (No one could challenge Michael's design). For Bard's Tale III, Michael Cranford was dismissed and I had Michael Stackpole work with me on both the story and the play balancing which was why I've been told that BT III was the best of the series.
Hmm, "Bill"? Did you speak to Michael over 6 years ago? He is fully aware of my transition and if he's still referring to me by that name, it's a bit disrespectful.
It certainly appears there is some serious misinformation out there about this series. I've tried repeatedly to contact Mr. Cranford to no avail (apparently the email address I have for him is no longer in service).
Matt Barton, Managing Editor
Location: St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA
Email: matt@armchairarcade.com