A version for the Sharp X68000 was in development by Bullet-Proof Software but never released. The Apple II GS, Atari ST, and Commodore 64 versions were ported with better success, the II GS, Macintosh, and ST versions' graphics coming quite close to the Amiga version. But these ports featured more in-depth strategic elements compared to the unfinished original version. The ports of Defender of the Crown, notably for DOS and the NES, resulted in an enormous loss in graphic and audio quality due to those systems' inferior abilities compared to the Amiga. The initial artist, according to Randy McDonald, was supposed to be Greg Winter, but the cover eventually went to Ezra Tucker. We hired models and brought them into Peter's large photo studio, where we set them up in the costumes I had rented, posed as closely as possible to the way we wanted them to be illustrated." I went to Western Costume in Hollywood, which for many decades was the giant in the costume industry there, and rented costumes for the types of "look" we had settled on for each cover. Randy McDonald was in charge of art direction, design, and production for Cinemaware's first four games, and he explains in an interview that "Peter Greene or I would do a sketch of generally what we wanted for each cover. The cover art of Defender of the Crown was put together by Peter Green Design and painted by Ezra Tucker.
Sachs, the primary artist for the game, showcased some of these features on the Amiga during interviews after the release of the game.
Some of these features were implemented in the ports of the game. Some additional features completed but never seen in the shipped game include flaming fireballs (launched via the catapult), more locations (more varied castles to attack), and more in-depth strategy. Some features were partially implemented, but were removed so the game could be shipped. The game's strategy boils down to a war of attrition as the player tries to amass larger armies than his opponents and manages to attack their territories at the right time.ĭue to financial strains, Cinemaware decided to release the initial version without all the features originally planned for because of their need for revenue.
From time to time the player may attempt to rescue a damsel in distress and can appeal for help from the legendary bandit Robin Hood. Territories can also be won in the periodic jousting contests. The player may engage enemy armies in battle and loot or lay siege to opposing castles. The player must amass armies and fight for control of opponents' castles. Eventually, the player must fight for control of all territories, and potentially those controlled by other Saxons, if they have become antagonistic. The player assumes the role of a Saxon (Wilfred of Ivanhoe, Cedric of Rotherwood, Geoffrey Longsword, or Wolfric the Wild) and tries to fight off the Norman hordes and wrestle for control of England. The fighting screen was one of the features added to the Atari ST version