View source for Gold Box

{{short description|Video game series and engine}}
{{about|the video game series|the phreaking device|Gold box (phreaking)}}
{{Lead too short|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox video game series
| title = ''Gold Box''
| image = Gold Box engine samples.png
| caption = Clockwise from upper left: overland map exploration; plot cut scene; overall combat interface; dungeon exploration view/battle encounter approach
| developer = Strategic Simulations<br>[[Westwood Associates]]<br>[[Stormfront Studios]]<br>MicroMagic<br>Cybertech<br>Marionette
| first release version = ''[[Pool of Radiance]]''
| first release date = June 1988
| latest release version = ''[[Forgotten Realms: Unlimited Adventures]]''
| latest release date = March 17 1993
| platforms = [[Amiga]], [[Apple II]], [[Mac (computer)|Mac]], [[Atari ST]], [[Commodore 64]], [[MS-DOS]], [[PC-98]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Sega Genesis|Genesis]]
}}

'''''Gold Box''''' is a series of [[role-playing video game]]s produced by [[Strategic Simulations]] from 1988 to 1992. The company acquired a license to produce games based on the ''[[Advanced Dungeons & Dragons]]'' [[role-playing game]] from [[Tactical Studies Rules|TSR, Inc.]]<ref name="high_score">{{cite book | first1=Rusel | last1=DeMaria | first2=Johnny L. | last2=Wilson | title=High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games | edition=2nd | publisher=McGraw-Hill Osborne Media | date=2003-12-18 | isbn=0-07-223172-6 | page=169}}</ref> These games share a common [[game engine]] that came to be known as the "Gold Box Engine" after the gold-colored boxes in which most games of the series were sold.<ref name="gamasutra">{{cite web|first=Matt |last=Barton |title=Unforgettable Realms: SSI's "Gold Box" Games |work=The History of Computer Role-Playing Games Part 2: The Golden Age (1985-1993) |page=4 |publisher=Gamasutra |date=2007-02-23 |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20070223b/barton_04.shtml |access-date=2009-01-02|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227174428/http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20070223b/barton_04.shtml |archive-date=2009-02-27}}</ref>

==History==
===Licensing and development===
In the mid-1980s TSR, after seeing the success of the ''[[Ultima (series)|Ultima]]'' series and other [[computer role-playing game]]s (CRPGs), offered its popular ''[[Advanced Dungeons & Dragons]]'' (''AD&D'') property to video game companies. Ten companies, including [[Electronic Arts]], ''Ultima'' creator [[Origin Systems]], and [[Sierra Entertainment]] applied for the license.<ref name="allen1">{{cite web | first=Allen | last=Rausch | date=2004-08-16 | title=SSI's "Gold Box" Series | url=http://au.gamespy.com/articles/539/539214p1.html | access-date=2009-01-02}}</ref><ref name="maher20160318">{{cite web | url=http://www.filfre.net/2016/03/opening-the-gold-box-part-3-from-tabletop-to-desktop/ | title=Opening the Gold Box, Part 3: From Tabletop to Desktop | publisher=The Digital Antiquarian | date=2016-03-18 | access-date=19 March 2016 | author=Maher, Jimmy}}</ref> [[Strategic Simulations, Inc.]] (SSI) president [[Joel Billings]] had, along with many other companies, earlier contacted TSR about licensing ''AD&D'', but TSR was not interested at that time. Although smaller and less technically advanced than other bidders, SSI unexpectedly won the license in 1987 because of its computerized wargaming experience, and instead of releasing a single ''AD&D'' game as soon as possible, the company proposed a broad vision of multiple series of games and spinoffs that might become as sophisticated as TSR's tabletop original.<ref name="allen1"/>{{r|maher20160318}}

After winning the ''AD&D'' license, the number of SSI's in-house developers increased from seven to 25, including the company's first full-time computer-graphic artists. TSR significantly participated in the games' development, including designing [[Ruins of Adventure|a tabletop module]] on which the first SSI game would be based. Using ''[[Wizard's Crown]]{{'}}s'' detailed combat system as a base for their work,{{r|maher20160318}} the development of the Gold Box engine and the original games was managed by SSI's [[Chuck Kroegel]]<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=G.M. The Independent Fantasy Roleplaying Magazine |publisher=Croftward |issue=1| volume=1 |date=September 1988| page=20| title=Advanced Dungeons & Dragons}}</ref> and [[George MacDonald (game designer)|George MacDonald]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Pool of Radiance Rule Book |publisher=A&a Printers and Lithographers |location=US |year=1988 |pages=29}}</ref> Later versions were led by Victor Penman<ref>{{cite book |title=Pools of Darkness Adventurer's Journal |publisher=American Lithographers |location=US |year=1991 |pages=1}}</ref> and Ken Humphries.<ref>{{cite book |title=Buck Rogers: Matrix Cubed Log Book |publisher=American Lithographers |location=US |year=1992 |pages=1}}</ref>

===The series===
[[File:Cover_art_for_the_SSI_1991_catalog.jpg|thumb|left|SSI's 1991 catalog cover, showing some of the Gold Box titles.]]
The first game produced in the series was ''[[Pool of Radiance]]'', released in 1988. This was followed by ''[[Curse of the Azure Bonds]]'' (1989), ''[[Secret of the Silver Blades]]'' (1990), and ''[[Pools of Darkness]]'' (1991),<ref name="gamasutra" /> the games forming one continuous story rooted in the once-glorious city of [[Phlan]], later encompassing the entire [[Moonsea|Moonsea Reaches]]<ref name="gog">[http://www.gog.com/game/forgotten_realms_the_archives_collection_two Forgotten Realms: The Archives - Collection Two] on GOG.com</ref> and four outer regions: [[Dalelands]], [[Cormyr (fictional country)|Cormyr]], [[Cormanthyr]] (where [[Myth Drannor]] is located),<ref>{{cite book |title=Curse of the Azure Bonds Adventurers Journal |year=1989}}</ref> and [[Thar (Forgotten Realms)#Thar|Thar]].<ref name="cotab">{{cite book |title=Pools of Darkness Adventurer's Journal |year=1991}}</ref> The original four titles were developed in-house at SSI, and the first three titles were the best selling Gold Box games.{{r|maher20170331}} A series of TSR novels paralleled the stories in the games.{{cn|date=December 2025}}

Released in 1990, ''[[Champions of Krynn]]'' was the first of SSI's Gold Box spin-offs based on TSR's very popular ''[[Dragonlance]]'' universe, and roughly in the novels by [[Margaret Weis]] and [[Tracy Hickman]]. Chronologically, it was the third Gold Box game and employed some innovations that showed up in later games, like the moon phases for mages, the choice of deities for clerics, and the level difficulty selector. The following titles were ''[[Death Knights of Krynn]]'' (1991) and ''[[The Dark Queen of Krynn]]'' (1992).<ref name="DnD">{{cite book | first=Barton | last=Matt | title=Dungeons and Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games | publisher=A K Peters | location=Wellesley, MA, US | date=2008 | isbn=9781568814117 | oclc=301791360}}</ref>{{Rp|139–159}} While the games give players a chance to meet ''Dragonlance'' characters like [[Tanis Half-Elven]] and [[Raistlin Majere]], the gameplay is far more linear.{{r|gamasutra}}

When SSI began working on the ''[[Dark Sun: Shattered Lands|Dark Sun]]'' game in 1989, all the programmers in-house had to stop the development of Gold Box games and start working on the Dark Sun engine. After ''Secret of the Silver Blades'' came out, Chuck Kroegel passed the Gold Box engine and the ''[[Forgotten Realms]]'' location to Beyond Software (later [[Stormfront Studios]]).<ref name="gamebanshee">{{cite web|first=Jon |last=Birnbaum |title=Stormfront Studios Interview |publisher=GameBanshee |date=2005-04-16  |url=http://www.gamebanshee.com/interviews/28317-stormfront-studios-interview/all-pages.html |access-date=2018-08-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | first=Morgan | last=Ramsay | title=Gamers at Work: Stories Behind the Games People Play | publisher=Apress | date=2012 | location=New York | isbn=9781430233510 | oclc=828215808 | page=144}}</ref> They set their first ''Forgotten Realms'' Gold Box title, ''[[Gateway to the Savage Frontier]]'' (1991), in the [[Savage Frontier (Forgotten Realms)|Savage Frontier]], an area to the extreme west of the previous games location. Following the events of the first game, ''[[Treasures of the Savage Frontier]]'' (1992) added a weather system and an innovative romance system between party members and [[Non-player character|NPCs]].<ref name="DnD" />{{Rp|139–159}}

SSI also adapted the Gold Box engine from fantasy to science fiction for a pair of [[Buck Rogers]] games: ''[[Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday|Countdown to Doomsday]]'' (1990) and ''[[Buck Rogers: Matrix Cubed|Matrix Cubed]]'' (1992). They were based on the [[Buck Rogers XXVC|Buck Rogers XXVc]] tabletop RPG by TSR, with rules heavily based on those of the company's flagship game.{{r|maher20170331}} According to Keith Brors (former technical director of SSI), the company was pressured by TSR into developing their Buck Rogers computer game against their better judgment, due to TSR president Lorraine Williams personally owning the Buck Rogers IP. The games did not perform as well as the fantasy settings, but they do represent some enhancements to the Gold Box engine.<ref name="DnD" />{{Rp|139–159}}

Apart from the main games, ''[[Spelljammer: Pirates of Realmspace]]'' was launched in 1992. Based on the 2nd edition's [[Spelljammer]] rule set, it combined real-time ship combat, turn-based melee battles, and interplanetary trade. Besides the innovations, many gamers and critics took issue with its occasional bugs and lengthy load times.{{r|escapist}}

Sales declined over time, as the engine—originally designed for the [[Commodore 64]]—aged, and SSI released too many games (11 Gold Box games over four years). When SSI and TSR extended the original contract expiring in January 1993 for 18 months, SSI was required to discontinue the engine, moving to new developing technologies.{{r|maher20170331}} In March of the same year, SSI's last release was ''[[Forgotten Realms: Unlimited Adventures]]'', an editor that allows players to create their own games using the Gold Box engine.{{r|maher20170331}} Game developers had access to 127 different monsters, 100 different event triggers, and a framework that could hold an adventure consisting of four different wilderness areas or 36 dungeon levels.<ref name="allen2">{{cite web | first=Allen | last=Rausch | date=2004-08-17 | title=A History of D&D Video Games - Part III | url=http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/539/539722p1.html | access-date=2018-09-08}}</ref> It also included a mini-adventure called ''The Heirs to Skull Crag''.<ref name="DnD" />{{Rp|139–159}} An active community grew up around this game, including [[Hack (technology slang)|hacks]] that expanded its powers and its graphical capabilities.<ref>[http://ua.reonis.com/ FRUA & Dungeon Craft Community Forums] on {{cite web | title=UA File Archive | url=http://frua.rosedragon.org}}</ref>

===Spin-off to MMO===
All of the online RPGs of the 1980s were text-based [[Multi-user dungeon|MUD]]s, describing the action in the style of ''[[Rogue (video game)|Rogue]]'' or [[Will Crowther]]'s original ''[[Colossal Cave Adventure|Adventure]]'' game. Stormfront's [[Don Daglow]] had been designing games for [[AOL]] for several years, and the new alliance of SSI, TSR, America On-Line, and Stormfront led to the development of ''[[Neverwinter Nights (1991 video game)|Neverwinter Nights]]'', the first graphical [[MMORPG]], which ran on AOL from 1991 to 1997. ''NWN'' was a multi-player implementation of the Gold Box engine,<ref>{{cite book | author1=Mulligan, Jessica | author2=Patrovsky, Bridgette | title=Developing Online Games: An Insider's Guide | date=2003 | page=455 | publisher=New Riders | isbn=1-59273-000-0}}</ref> and was the most popular features on AOL's service,<ref>{{cite web|first=Justin|last=Olivetti|title=The Game Archaeologist and the Nights of Old Winter|work=The Game Archaeologist: The complete history of classic MMOs|publisher=Engadget|date=2007-02-23|url=https://www.engadget.com:80/2010/11/23/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-nights-of-old-winter/|access-date=2018-08-12|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012215738/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/23/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-nights-of-old-winter/|archive-date=2015-10-12}}</ref> raising between US$5 million and US$7 million annually to the company from 1992 to 1997.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Mulligan, Jessica |author2=Patrovsky, Bridgette |title=Developing Online Games: An Insider's Guide |date=2003 |page=12 |publisher=New Riders |isbn=1-59273-000-0}}</ref> It paved the way for later hits such as ''[[Ultima Online]]'' (1997) and ''[[EverQuest]]'' (1999).{{r|gamebanshee}}

===Closure and legacy===
When SSI and TSR announced in 1994 that the latter would not renew the former's ''AD&D'' license, the two companies described the end of the relationship as amicable. A SSI spokesperson said that the company disliked the license's restrictions.<ref name="cgw199404">{{Cite magazine | date=April 1994 | title=SSI Advances Beyond AD&D With Divorce From TSR | department=Read.Me | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=117 | magazine=Computer Gaming World | pages=12}}</ref> With the Gold Box engine's sales finally fading after a six-year run, the losses SSI absorbed during those two years of delays played a critical role in the sale of SSI to [[Mindscape (software publisher)|Mindscape]] in 1994.<ref>{{cite web |first=Joel |last=Billings |title=Joel Billings' Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI) papers |page=2 |publisher=The National Museum of Play |date=January 2014 |url=http://www.museumofplay.org/sites/default/files/uploads/Finding%20Aid%20to%20Joel%20Billings%27%20Strategic%20Simulations%2C%20Inc.%20%28SSI%29%20papers_052115.pdf |access-date=2018-08-11 |archive-date=2016-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418121002/http://www.museumofplay.org/sites/default/files/uploads/Finding%20Aid%20to%20Joel%20Billings%27%20Strategic%20Simulations%2C%20Inc.%20%28SSI%29%20papers_052115.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="DnD" />{{Rp|271–279}}

Although the interest in the series eventually waned, the mantle of this genre was later assumed by more recent role-playing games such as ''[[Baldur's Gate]]'', ''[[Planescape: Torment]]'' and ''[[Neverwinter Nights (2002 video game)|Neverwinter Nights]]''.{{r|allen1}}

==Features==
===Interface===
The "Gold Box Engine" has two main game play modes. Outside of character creation, game play takes place on a screen that displays text interactions, the names and current status of your party of characters, and a window which displays images of geography, pictures of characters or events.<ref>{{cite web |first=Thomas |last=Henshell |title=What 90s SSI Goldbox RPGs Can Teach Us about the Modern RPG (Part 2 of 2) |website=Gamasutra |date=2014-08-21 |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/ThomasHenshell/20140821/223923/What_90s_SSI_Goldbox_RPGs_Can_Teach_Us_about_the_Modern_RPG_Part_2_of_2.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827094951/http://gamasutra.com/blogs/ThomasHenshell/20140821/223923/What_90s_SSI_Goldbox_RPGs_Can_Teach_Us_about_the_Modern_RPG_Part_2_of_2.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 27, 2014 |access-date=2018-08-11}}</ref> When combat occurs, the screen changes to a top-down mode resembling the one found in ''Wizard's Crown'', in which player character icons can move about to cast spells or attack icons representing the enemies.<ref name="DnD" />{{Rp|143–144}} All the games typically involve long [[dungeon crawl]]s, and are heavier on combat than on role-playing.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.engadget.com/2012/08/24/gold-boxes-for-a-golden-age-of-rpgs/ | title=Gold Boxes for a Golden Age of RPGs | publisher=Engadget | date=2012-08-24 | access-date=16 August 2018 | author=Rowan, Kaiser}}</ref>

The Gold Box games form a number of series in which you can move characters who finish one game to the next one in the series.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.armchairarcade.com/neo/node/739 | title=Remembered Realms: Revisiting SSI's Legendary Gold Box Games | publisher=Armchair Arcade | date=2006-08-12 | access-date=16 August 2018 | author=Barton, Matt | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605025711/http://www.armchairarcade.com/neo/node/739 | archive-date=5 June 2011 | url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition, characters from ''Pool of Radiance'' can be imported into ''[[Hillsfar]]'', a game based on an entirely different engine, and then exported into ''Curse of the Azure Bonds''.<ref name="DnD" />{{Rp|168–169}} The system was improved over time, adding better colors, graphics, more player-class levels, new story lines, and real-time multiplayer gameplay.<ref name="DnD" />{{Rp|139–159}}

===Platforms===
Games were released for the [[Amiga]], [[Apple II]], [[Mac (computer)|Mac]], [[Atari ST]], [[Commodore 64]], [[MS-DOS]], [[PC-98]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System]],<ref name="escapist">{{cite web |first=Stew |last=Shearer |title=The History of Dungeons & Dragons in Video Games |pages=3–7 |publisher=The Escapist |date=2014-09-13 |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/goodoldreviews/12248-The-History-of-Dungeons-Dragons-in-Video-Game-Pt-1 |access-date=2018-08-11 |archive-date=2018-08-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813183545/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/goodoldreviews/12248-The-History-of-Dungeons-Dragons-in-Video-Game-Pt-1 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Sega Genesis|Genesis]].<ref name="gamespot">{{cite web |title=Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday |website=GameSpot|date=2014-09-13 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/buck-rogers-countdown-to-doomsday |access-date=2018-08-11}}</ref>

===Languages===
The C64 and Apple II versions were written completely in [[MOS Technology 6502|6502]] [[Assembly language|assembly]], and were extremely advanced for the time, since those computers had around 64 KB of [[Random-access memory|RAM]].<ref>[https://www.pcgamer.com/how-gog-rescued-13-forgotten-realms-games-from-licensing-hell/ How GOG rescued 13 Forgotten Realms games from licensing hell] on [[PC Gamer]] Dan Griliopoulos (Aug 26, 2015)</ref> Most of the later ports and releases were written in [[Pascal (programming language)|Pascal]]. The latest official releases, ''Pirates of Realmspace'' and ''Unlimited Adventures'' are [[C (programming language)|C]]/[[C++]] based.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://simeonpilgrim.com/blog/2010/07/21/gold-box-games-cheat-codes/ |title=Gold Box games Cheat Codes |last=Pilgrim |first=Simeon |date=2010-07-21 |website=Simeon Pilgrim}}</ref>

==Developers and ports==
Although the engine creation and most of the games were initially developed by SSI, there were many official ports and titles from other companies. [[Westwood Associates]] was in charge of some ports for the Amiga, which added mouse support and improved the graphics well before SSI's own [[MS-DOS]] versions going to [[Video Graphics Array|VGA]] display mode.{{r|maher20170331}} MicroMagic made the only port of the series for the Atari ST home computer, ''Curse of the Azure Bonds'';<ref>{{cite web | date=2008-08-18 | title=Curse of the Azure Bonds (Atari ST Screenshots) | publisher=Giant Bomb | url=https://www.giantbomb.com/curse-of-the-azure-bonds/3030-18905/images/?tag=AST%20Screenshots | access-date=2018-07-20}}</ref> following this, they developed ''The Dark Queen of Krynn'' and the ''Unlimited Adventures'' for SSI.<ref name="DnD" />{{Rp|139–159}} Stormfront Studios did all the development for the ''Savage Frontier'' series and also the remarkable ''Neverwinter Nights''.{{r|gamebanshee}} Also mentionable, Cybertech was responsible for the development of ''Spelljammer: Pirates of Realmspace''.<ref name=cgw104>{{cite magazine | first1=Jeff | last1=James | title=SSI's ''Spelljammer: Pirates of Realmspace'' | volume=104 | pages=62–64 | magazine=Computer Gaming World | date=March 1993 | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1993&pub=2&id=104 | publisher=Golden Empire Publications, Inc.}}</ref> For video game consoles, there were only two ports: ''Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday'' for the Sega Genesis{{r|gamespot}} and ''Pool of Radiance'' for the Famicom/NES (from the [[Japan]]ese company Marionette).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/nes/rpg/advanceddungeonsdpor/index.html|title=Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Pool of Radiance|work=gamespot UK|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013094240/http://uk.gamespot.com/nes/rpg/advanceddungeonsdpor/index.html|archive-date=2008-10-13}}</ref>

==Games==
===Original===
* The ''[[Pool of Radiance (series)|Pool of Radiance]]'' ''[[Forgotten Realms]]'' series (developed internally at SSI):
** ''[[Pool of Radiance]]'' (1988)
** ''[[Curse of the Azure Bonds]]'' (1989)
** ''[[Secret of the Silver Blades]]'' (1990)
** ''[[Pools of Darkness]]'' (1991)
* The ''Savage Frontier'' ''[[Forgotten Realms]]'' series (developed by [[Beyond Software]]):
** ''[[Gateway to the Savage Frontier]]'' (1991)
** ''[[Treasures of the Savage Frontier]]'' (1992)
* The ''[[Dragonlance]]'' series (the first two developed by SSI, the last by MicroMagic, Inc):
** ''[[Champions of Krynn]]'' (1990)
** ''[[Death Knights of Krynn]]'' (1991)
** ''[[The Dark Queen of Krynn]]'' (1992)
* The ''[[Buck Rogers]]'' games (developed by SSI):
** ''[[Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday|Countdown to Doomsday]]'' (1990)
** ''[[Buck Rogers: Matrix Cubed|Matrix Cubed]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Neverwinter Nights (1991 video game)|Neverwinter Nights]]'' (1991, co-developed with [[Beyond Software]])
* ''[[Spelljammer: Pirates of Realmspace]]'' (1992, developed by [[Cybertech Systems]])
* ''[[Forgotten Realms: Unlimited Adventures]]'' (1993, developed by MicroMagic, Inc)

===Collections===
* ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Limited Edition Collector's Set'' (1990, DOS, C64, Amiga, SSI) - a compilation of many early ''AD&D'' titles, including several Gold Box games.
* ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Starter Kit'' (1992, DOS, SSI) - a compilation of the first games from the three Gold Box main series: ''Pool of Radiance'', ''Gateway to the Savage Frontier'' and ''Champions of Krynn''.
* ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Dragonlance Limited Collector's Edition'' (1992, DOS, SSI) - a compilation of all of the ''Dragonlance'' Gold Box titles.
* ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Collector's Edition'' (1994, Macintosh, [[MacSoft]]) - a compilation of ''Pool of Radiance'', ''Curse of the Azure Bonds'', ''Secret of the Silver Blades'', ''Pools of Darkness'', and ''The Dark Queen of Krynn''.
* ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Collectors Edition Vol. 1'' (1994, DOS, [[WizardWorks]]) - a compilation of ''Curse of the Azure Bonds'', ''Pool of Radiance'', and ''Secret of the Silver Blades''.
* ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Collectors Edition Vol. 2'' (1994, DOS, [[WizardWorks]]) - a compilation of ''Champions of Krynn'', ''Death Knights of Krynn'', and ''The Dark Queen of Krynn''.
* ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Collectors Edition Vol. 3'' (1994, DOS, [[WizardWorks]]) - a compilation of ''Gateway to the Savage Frontier'', ''Pools of Darkness'', and ''Treasures of the Savage Frontier''.
* ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Collectors Edition'' (1994, DOS, [[WizardWorks]]) - a compilation of all nine Gold Box games above in the individual volumes, on a CD ROM.
* ''Fantasy Fest!'' (1994, DOS, SSI) - a compilation of several ''AD&D'' games, including ''Unlimited Adventures''.
* ''Dungeons & Dragons Ultimate Fantasy'' (1995, DOS, Slash Corporation) - a compilation of several ''AD&D'' games, including ''Unlimited Adventures''.
* ''[[The Forgotten Realms Archives]]'' (1997, DOS/WIN, [[Interplay Entertainment|Interplay]]) - a compilation of SSI's ''Forgotten Realms'' video games, including the Gold Box series'.
* ''Gamefest: Forgotten Realms Classics'' (2001, DOS/WIN, Interplay) - a compilation of SSI's ''Forgotten Realms'' video games, including the Gold Box series'.

===Related games===
* ''[[Hillsfar]]'' (1989), player can import characters from ''Pool of Radiance'' and ''Curse of the Azure Bonds''.
* ''[[Dungeons & Dragons: Order of the Griffon|Order of the Griffon]]'' (1992), uses a turn-based combat engine similar to that of the Gold Box games.
* ''[[Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor]]'' (2001), a sequel to ''Pool of Radiance'' series in name and location only.

==Reception==
With 264,536 copies sold for computers in North America, ''Pool of Radiance'' became by far the most-successful game in SSI's history,{{r|maher20160318}} outselling ''[[Ultima V]]'' and ''[[Bard's Tale III]]''.<ref name="maher20170331">{{Cite web |url=http://www.filfre.net/2017/03/opening-the-gold-box-part-5-all-that-glitters-is-not-gold/ |title=Opening the Gold Box, Part 5: All That Glitters is Not Gold |last=Maher |first=Jimmy |date=2017-03-31 |website=The Digital Antiquarian}}</ref> It was given a score of 90% by ''[[Commodore User]]''. The reviewer Tony Dillon was impressed with the features.<ref>Dillon, Tony; Pool of Radiance review in Commodore User (Oct 1988) p: 34, 35</ref>

The next game in the series, ''Curse of the Azure Bonds'', was also well received. It was given a score of 90% by magazine ''[[The Games Machine]]'',<ref>The Games Machine 22 (Sep 1989), Paul Rigby p:80</ref> and 89% on ''[[Commodore User|CU Amiga-64]]''.<ref>CU Amiga-64 (Aug 1989), Tony Dillon p:33</ref> [[Dave Arneson]], one of the creators of ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', expressed his disappointment that the Gold Box games did not innovate enough from previous CRPGs, comparing them to "a cross ... between ''[[Questron (video game)|Questron]]'' and ''Wizard's Crown'' presented in a new setting".<ref name="arneson198805">{{cite magazine | title=The Future of Computer Role-Playing | magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] | issue=47 | date=May 1988 | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_47.pdf | access-date=23 April 2016 | last=Arneson | first=David L. | pages=24–25}}</ref>

The final Gold Box game, ''The Dark Queen of Krynn'' (1992), sold 40,640 copies.{{r|maher20170331}} SSI had sold over {{nowrap|1.5 million}} ''AD&D'' products by 1992,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kastre |first1=Michael F. |title=An Industry of the Mind: Examining Today's Video Game Industry |journal=Hispanic Engineer & IT |date=Spring 1992 |volume=8 |issue=1 |pages=22–28 (27) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QM3uQqDiAQIC&pg=PA27 |publisher=Career Communications Group}}</ref> and more than two million ''AD&D''-licensed games when it announced the end of the TSR license in 1994.{{r|cgw199404}}

==On modern systems==
The games run well in [[DOSBox]] on modern operating systems.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dosbox.com/comp_list.php | title=DOSBox - Compatibility list | publisher=DOSBox}}</ref> Also the Gold Box Companion has been developed to smooth out some of the rough edges in the programming of some of the games. Some of the early games, for instance, do not allow turning off Quick Fight, which sets characters to automatic in combat.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jon |last=Birnbaum |title=Gold Box Companion and The All-Seeing Eye Tools for SSI Enthusiasts |publisher=GameBanshee |date=2017-01-16  |url=http://www.gamebanshee.com/news/118369-gold-box-companion-and-the-all-seeing-eye-tools-for-ssi-enthusiasts.html |access-date=2018-08-18}}</ref> The Gold Box Companion was included in the 2022 Steam release of the Gold Box games.<ref name="pcgamer-steam-release">{{cite magazine |last1=Macgregor |first1=Jody |title=The classic Gold Box D&D games are on Steam, but what's special about them? |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-classic-gold-box-dandd-games-are-on-steam-but-whats-special-about-them/ |website=PCGamer |date=20 April 2022 |access-date=28 April 2022}}</ref>

[[GOG.com]] released the ''Pool of Radiance'' and ''Savage Frontier'' Gold Box series [[Digital Distribution|digitally]] on August 20, 2015, as a part of ''"Forgotten Realms: The Archives - Collection Two"''.<ref>[http://www.pcgamer.com/forgotten-realms-the-archives-brings-13-dd-classics-to-gog/ Forgotten Realms: The Archives brings 13 D&D classics to GOG] on [[PC Gamer]] Jordan Erica Webber (Aug 20, 2015)</ref>{{r|gog}} Later on October 27, they released the ''Dragonlance'' series as part of ''"Dungeons & Dragons: Krynn Series"''.<ref>[https://www.pcgamer.com/gog-adds-dd-ravenloft-dark-sun-and-krynn/ GOG adds D&D: Ravenloft, Dark Sun and Krynn] on [[PC Gamer]] Tom Sykes (Oct 27, 2015)</ref><ref>[https://www.gog.com/game/dungeons_dragons_krynn_series Dungeons & Dragons: Krynn Series] on GOG.com</ref>

SNEG released the Gold Box Classics digitally through [[Steam (service)|Steam]] on March 9, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jody |last=Macgregor |title=The classic Gold Box D&D games are on Steam, but what's special about them? |publisher=PC Gamer |date=2022-04-20|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-classic-gold-box-dandd-games-are-on-steam-but-whats-special-about-them/ |access-date=2022-04-24}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Dungeons & Dragons video games|List of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' video games]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.uvlist.net/groups/info/goldboxengine Gold Box Engine full games list]
* {{cite web
  | first=John | last=Harris
  | title=D&D Gold Box series | publisher=Gamasutra
  | work=Game Design Essentials: 20 RPGs
  | url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/game-design-essentials-20-rpgs
  | access-date=2009-10-05}}

{{Gold Box games |state=expanded}}
{{Dungeons & Dragons video games}}
{{Video game engines}}

[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons video games]]
[[Category:Forgotten Realms]]
[[Category:Gold Box| ]]
[[Category:Stormfront Studios games]]
[[Category:Strategic Simulations games]]
[[Category:Video game engines]]