Editing Leisure Suit Larry (section)

==History==
[[File:Al Lowe on programming the monorail in Leisure Suit Larry II (1989).mp3|thumb|Al Lowe on programming the monorail in Larry II (Interview 1989)]]

===Original series===
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| direction         = horizontal
| image1            = On-Line Systems - Softporn Adventure.jpg
| width1            = 145
| caption1          = ''[[Softporn Adventure]]'' (1981), the text-based game that inspired ''Leisure Suit Larry''
| image2            = Leisure-Suit-Larry-1.jpg
| width2            = 140
| caption2          = Box art for ''[[Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards]]'' (1987)
}}
[[Al Lowe]], a designer and programmer on titles like ''[[Donald Duck's Playground]]'' and ''[[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's Quest]]'' and ''[[Space Quest]]'', to venture into an untapped commercial niche.

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 |date=June 18, 2018 |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 [[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" />

Lowe maintained the original's structure but rewrote the narrative to include a comedic voice that pokes fun at Larry, significantly altering [[Softporn Adventure|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 |date=October 21, 2018 |publisher=Lulu Press, Incorporated |isbn=978-1716867064}}</ref> Although Chuck Benton, ''Softporn''’s creator, is credited in ''Larry'', he did not contribute to its development.

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/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>

''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]]es. 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>

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!]]'', 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>

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" />

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" />

===Spin-offs and sequels===
''[[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>

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>

Assemble Entertainment released two ''Leisure Suit Larry'' games, rejuvenating the series with contemporary settings while retaining its humor. ''[[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]]'' (2020), continues his quest for love.

===Remakes and remasters===
[[File:Leisure-Suit-Larry-VGA-remake.jpg|thumb|''[[Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards]]'' 1991 remake]]
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" />

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>

=== Voice acting ===
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]]. 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]].