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Archon to rule again

Myriad Interactive licenses action-chess hybrid franchise from Free Fall, game to be published on unspecified formats.

In 1983, the ancient board game of chess received an overhaul with the release of Free Fall Games' Archon. Originally released on Atari's 8-bit series of computers, Archon combined the strategy of chess with the action of games. When one piece attempted to capture another, the game pit the two units in a one-on-one battle to see who would emerge from the battle victorious.

Sequels and ports of the game made their way across a number of formats, from the Commodore 64 to the ZX Spectrum and the Nintendo Entertainment System, but the franchise has been largely dormant since the 1994 release of Archon Ultra on the PC.

Now the series is set to make a comeback, as Myriad Interactive this week announced that it has secured the Archon license from Free Fall Games with the intent to make a new version off the game that "combines the fun and spirit of the original with today's exciting technology."

Myriad Interactive publishes the Crazy Frog Racer games through its Mercury Games and Turtle Games brands. Specific platforms for the game have not been revealed, but Myriad said it would release details on them soon.

89 Comments

  • snowkiwi2

    Posted Apr 25, 2007 10:34 am GMT

    Hi guys,

    If you like Archon, perhaps you'll like the project I'm working on. The only reason I made Awakening Sun in the first place was because I really felt Archon has so much potential, and just needed an update for today's market. I talked to Mr. Freeman in the past and am glad he's going to make it himself, if I understand what I'm reading. Awakening Sun is inspired by the original Archon, and is not looking to be in competition with the original. Awakening Sun is a whole world in its own.
    You can see it as an extra treat for you Archon fans.

    (This is a mac optimized site.)
    Here's the address:

    donnysnow.com

  • Mayhski

    Posted Mar 22, 2007 4:19 am GMT

    Thank God!! i was just surfing the net, looking for what happend to one of my alltime favorite games, and i found just the news i was looking for...
    Now the anouncement for a release on XBA and i truly am a happy man.

  • lord_mordain

    Posted Feb 13, 2007 8:36 am GMT

    Interesting and possibly cool. I used to love this game back on the Commodore 64.

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Feb 12, 2007 2:03 pm GMT

    that would be cool to play

  • LexLas

    Posted Feb 12, 2007 11:37 am GMT

    Archon welcome back, any classic come back was always a defenite great one.

  • Slayer420

    Posted Feb 12, 2007 10:59 am GMT

    Archon was a lot of fun on the NES. Definitely looking forward to see how this comes out.

  • Icekxg

    Posted Feb 12, 2007 5:09 am GMT

    wow, I almost forgot that game even existed. Had a lot of fun playing Archon on the NES. I'm actually looking forward to this release, which would be nice if it was a XBLA download.

  • Dups79

    Posted Feb 12, 2007 4:34 am GMT

    *sniff* memories!!

  • ralphikari

    Posted Feb 12, 2007 12:36 am GMT

    My friends and I used to fight for the Apple][ joystick because whoever got it owned the board with the Unicorns or Basilisks

  • DragonMage2k4

    Posted Feb 11, 2007 8:53 pm GMT

    I was a fan of Archon since the Apple II plus days. I remember Wrath Unleashed being an attempt to recapture the Archon glory days, too bad they never got the online component to work. Hopefully, Myriad will include the online component for Archon.

  • mr_pops238

    Posted Feb 11, 2007 8:37 pm GMT

    Archon Ultra PWNED back in the day. I still have the disc, but its scratched to ****. I hope they include the old version(s) of it in the new game.

  • Octagon

    Posted Feb 11, 2007 3:53 pm GMT

    yay

  • nickbakopoulos

    Posted Feb 11, 2007 2:42 pm GMT

    I had Archon, and EA actually brought the game to PC originally.

  • puppiemaster

    Posted Feb 11, 2007 2:17 pm GMT

    Will probably end up as crazy frog chess and spawn a hit single bought by kids and grannies

  • UppityPrimate

    Posted Feb 11, 2007 12:59 pm GMT

    There was also a game called Unholy War for the original playstation. Same kind of thing as Wrath Unleashed with a Tech vs. Magic theme and more diverse units. A niche title, but I thoroughly recommend it for fans of Archon

  • wytefang

    Posted Feb 11, 2007 12:37 pm GMT

    Again, this already came out as Wrath Unleashed. If you don't want to wait and gamble on this 'newer' version of Archon, just pick up Wrath Unleashed for the original Xbox. Wasn't the greatest game but it was amusing.

  • Bgrngod

    Posted Feb 11, 2007 11:57 am GMT

    Ahh the memories. Archons was a ton of fun back in the day. Mostly because at the time I was the best chess player in my circle of friends. Besides that it was still really fun.

  • cjcr_alexandru

    Posted Feb 11, 2007 11:46 am GMT

    I haven't played the original Archon, but this game sounds like fun.

  • jacnewforce07

    Posted Feb 11, 2007 11:38 am GMT

    awesome

  • Wookie_Fodder

    Posted Feb 11, 2007 11:02 am GMT

    I used to play the old Archon on NES all the time. It should be interesting to see what format they go w/on this one.

    XBLA would be the most logical choice, but I would like to see the developer expand upon the game and make it a full-fledged retail game. If they can expand on this game and not ruin it, I could see the Wii having some fun with this.

  • Filaki

    Posted Feb 11, 2007 8:38 am GMT

    the good ol' days. should definitely be on XBLA

  • kdt55

    Posted Feb 11, 2007 7:30 am GMT

    Should be a XBLA title.

  • muppen

    Posted Feb 11, 2007 12:45 am GMT

    Lame

  • CrackerMcGee

    Posted Feb 10, 2007 9:39 pm GMT

    I could see this being a lot of fun on hand held systems especially with multiplayer.

  • don16086

    Posted Feb 10, 2007 8:59 pm GMT

    YES!!! I'm a huge fan of Archon, I still play it on the C64 emulator. Other games like it are Wrath Unleashed for PS2 and Unholy War for PS1, both decent titles.

    I am looking forward to this release, I hope its good.

  • sonicare

    Posted Feb 10, 2007 5:31 pm GMT

    Sweet. The original Archon was lots of fun. Unicorn FTW.

  • Kebn

    Posted Feb 10, 2007 3:05 pm GMT

    the unholy war is fantastic!

  • playa42018

    Posted Feb 10, 2007 2:04 pm GMT

    I thought it was talking about Battle Chess for a second.

  • SolidTy

    Posted Feb 10, 2007 11:10 am GMT

    I loved Archon, I also recommend UNHOLY WARS, as another great game...

  • The_Weekend

    Posted Feb 10, 2007 9:19 am GMT

    oooh ... i remember this game ! Loved it as a kid!

  • gzader

    Posted Feb 10, 2007 9:06 am GMT

    Wolan said it all.

    I loved Archon, played on the C64 and the Amiga. The thought of playing it again would be great, but a part of me really wants to be able to play it single player against the computer with little or no changes.

    Archon 2 was great as well. A whole new level (bad pun intended)

  • Wolan_PL

    Posted Feb 10, 2007 6:49 am GMT

    New Archon being made = good
    New Archon being made by creators of Crazy Frog Racer = bad

  • Azghouls

    Posted Feb 10, 2007 4:39 am GMT

    I hope Myriad Interactive don't ruin such a great game. Heck I even made a review of the game based on the Atari 800.

    So let Archon (and hopefully Adept) rule again!

  • MythManiac

    Posted Feb 10, 2007 2:50 am GMT

    I thought Starcraft 2 was announced. D=

  • dn3datomiced

    Posted Feb 9, 2007 11:26 pm GMT

    C'mon. First, we get Catan. We'd better get Archon too.

    Go XBLA.

  • unholygemini

    Posted Feb 9, 2007 11:08 pm GMT

    Lol, I remember that game! Man, it was actually reallly fun! A new one would make a great Live Arcade game.

  • mik_evil

    Posted Feb 9, 2007 10:45 pm GMT

    So they have the license, big deal. show us some footage.

  • Neoyamaneko

    Posted Feb 9, 2007 10:44 pm GMT

    Online, 3D, Terrain, pieces vastly varying in power and purpose = A timeless game. It will still be *Very* playable in 2007, IMO.

  • osxgp

    Posted Feb 9, 2007 9:54 pm GMT

    A true classic. I hope that Myriad can capture what made the game so much fun without ruining it.

  • DO646260

    Posted Feb 9, 2007 9:45 pm GMT

    Good times back then... but is it going to be as much fun now? /

  • wytefang

    Posted Feb 9, 2007 8:38 pm GMT

    The newer version was already released in the form of its spiritual successor for the Xbox by LucasArts, "Wrath Unleashed". They even said in interviews that they basically stole their ideas from Archon.

  • -HCMF-

    Posted Feb 9, 2007 8:11 pm GMT

    This game was a clasic - this is great news!!!!

  • Blazer88

    Posted Feb 9, 2007 8:08 pm GMT

    This was a great game I also had it on C64.

  • fuman3

    Posted Feb 9, 2007 8:05 pm GMT

    Holy crap I played Archon on my commodore 64. Man i cant wait for this.

  • MARIOJAY450

    Posted Feb 9, 2007 7:52 pm GMT

    i have the nes cartridge of archon, it's an awesome game. they should put it on the VC

  • Tortured_Elf

    Posted Feb 9, 2007 7:49 pm GMT

    Oh man, I used to play this in recess during elementary school with all the other kids like 10 years ago. We were addicted to this game, always fought over the comps for a chance to play (there were only 2)

  • chisoxrule

    Posted Feb 9, 2007 7:28 pm GMT

    This was one of my favorite Apple II games along with Castle Wolfenstein and the Ultima series. It was especially fun in the 2 player mode. If they do it right, it should have plenty of replay value. Back in the day I figured out the perfect way to beat the computer opponent without losing any of my pieces. Looking forward to this one.

  • Gmacrusher

    Posted Feb 9, 2007 6:54 pm GMT

    We well see if it does rule again!

  • UrbanMessiah

    Posted Feb 9, 2007 6:35 pm GMT

    " I think I'd rather see Mail Order Monsters remade. "

    OMG, I'd weep tears of joy if that happened...I freakin' LOVED that game!

    As for a new Archon, that's awesome news. I have very fond memories of that game, so fond I bought the game Wrath, which is like Archon in almost every way except for different creatures and its not on a chess board. -=x

  • Squids-Ahoy

    Posted Feb 9, 2007 6:23 pm GMT

    Oh baby.

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