Information about interactive fiction games ------------------------------------------- This file is a compilation of various posts to rec.arts.int-fiction and rec.games.int-fiction and other things added by myself and those listed at the end. Thanks to all who have contributed! I would like to see it grow into a history of the entire genre of interactive fiction. If you have more information on any of the games in the file (what machines they ran on, when they were published, etc), find errors or omissions, please let me know. This list contains some shareware/freeware games but the coverage is far from complete. So far, I have only included those that someone has pointed out to me. Some day, I might look through ftp.gmd.de and put in some more, but so far I'm concentrating on commercial games. I'm trying to categorize the games a little. So far the system is as follows: (this system is currently in the process of changing) [TO] Text only: No pictures (of course). [G] Graphics: Some kind of graphics. I'll use this only if I haven't seen the game or have forgotten how it looked. [CG] Character graphics: Pictures made up of characters. Generally horrible, but not uncommon for a while. [DG] Drawn graphics: Pictures drawn for each room as you enter it. [BG] Bitmap graphics: Static high-resolution pictures. [IG] Interactive graphics: This category is a bit difficult to define. Uninvited (ICOM) goes here, anyway. This category is on its way out. [MCG] Moving character graphics: These games have a graphical representation of yourself that you move around the screen. Examples are later Sierra games and LucasArts games. [PnC] Point-n-Click: This means that you control the game by pointing to thing with the mouse, choosing alternatives from menus or something similar. [TEXT] Text input: This means that you control the game by entering text. This is the standard way, and is only mentioned if it can be used alongside PnC input. [MUSIC] Music: This means, of course, that the game contains some kind of music score. A few other definitions: ftp.gmd.de: ---------- An archive for anonymous ftp that is a goldmine for anyone interested in interactive fiction. It contains loads of playable games, a lot of articles and information about interactive fiction (not only this file) and quite a few different systems for creating your own games. It is maintained by Volker Blasius (blasius@gmd.de) who is doing a great job. Contact him for more information. TADS: ---- The Text Adventure Development System written by Michael J. Roberts (mroberts@hinrg.starconn.com). It is shareware ($40) and can be acquired from ftp.gmd.de. A lot of shareware and freeware games have been written with TADS. TADS runs on many machines, including Amiga, Atari ST/TT/Falcon, DEC MIPS-based workstations running Ultrix, Macintosh, NeXT, PCs running DOS, OS/2 or Linux (386+), Silicon Graphics workstations running Irix, Sparc and Sun 3. The Macintosh and PC/DOS versions can create stand-alone versions that can be run without TADS. The Quill: --------- An adventure creation utility made by a company called Gilsoft. It had a companion program called The Illustrator with which pictures could be added to the game. It ran on Commodore 64 and Spectrum 48K and great deal of commercial adventures have been written with it. Hans Persson unicorn@lysator.liu.se (safe, seldom read) hape@lkp.ifsab.se (almost safe, often read) Last update: 7 Mar 1995 The latest version of this file can always be found on ftp.gmd.de as /if-archive/info/adventure-game-history. Aardvark: ******** All these games are written in Basic and are available for Commodore 64, OSI 8K, Sinclair (16K, extended Basic), TI99, TRS-80 16K, TRS-80 Color 16K, VIC 20 13K. Trek Adventure [TO] By Bob Retelle. Derelict [TO] By Rodger Olsen and Bob Anderson. Pyramid [TO/CG, 1984] By Rodger Olsen. For Commodore 64, MC10 16K, PC, TI/99-4A, Timex Sinclair, TRS-80 Model I/III/Color 16K, VIC20 13K. "Find treasures in an old pyramid. Truly awful game." Written in BASIC. Mars [TO/G (?)] By Rodger Olsen. For Commodore 64, PC, TRS-80C. Paranoids Anonymous [TO] For Commodore 64, TI/99-4A, TRS-80C 16K, VIC20 13K. Escape from Mars [TO] By Rodger Olsen. This might be the same game as Mars. Abersoft: ******** Classic Adventure [TO, 1984] For C64. Yet another version of 'Colossal Cave'. Abstract Concepts: ***************** They were started as a "serious adventures" label by Delta 4 Software in 1987. Distributed by Activision, Inc. Mindfighter [1988] By Fergus McNeill. Accolade: ******** American company. Law of the West [BG, 1985] By Alan Miller. Graphics by Mini Doggett. Music by Ed Bogas. For Apple II, Commodore 64. You wander around a typical "western movie" town, meet people and have to deal with them. You have a selection of four or five things to say at each turn. Get it wrong and they try to shoot you. Get it right and they might give you some information. The Third Courier [1989] Altered Destiny [MCG, 1990/91, MUSIC] By Michael Berlyn. For Amiga, PC/VGA. "A man is sucked through what he thought was his tv, into a mysterious world populated with strange creatures. He must overthrow an evil being." Les Manley in: Search for the King [MCG, 1990] By Steve Cartwright. For Amiga, PC/VGA. "Office clerk LM is, as a competitor of a certain L. Laffer, a typical office nerd on a quest to meet babes and The King." Les Manley, Lost in L. A. [G] Icon-based user interface. For PC/VGA. This is a sequel to Les Manley in: Search for the King. Elvira, Mistress of the Dark [1990] Developed by Horrorsoft. Elvira 2 Developed by Horrorsoft. Acme Software: ************* Altair 4 [TO, 1984] By K. Suddick. For C64. Your space ship has crashed on the planet Altair 4, and you must escape. Acornsoft: ********* At some point in time, Acornsoft decided not to publish adventure games any more. Some of the authors then took their games with them to Topologika. Countdown to Doom [TO, early 1980s] By Peter Killworth. For BBC. "Small science fiction adventure. Your spaceship has crashed on the planet Doomawangara. You must acquire the parts needed to repair your ship before the planet's hostile atmosphere corrodes it away." See under Topologika. Acheton See under Mainframe adventures. For BBC [1980]. See under Topologika. Kingdom of Hamil See under Mainframe adventures. For BBC. See under Topologika. Philosopher's Quest See under Mainframe adventures. For BBC. See under Topologika. Sphinx [TO] For BBC. Castle of Riddles [TO] For BBC. Some of the puzzles in Castle of Riddles came from the original version of Philosopher's Quest and now appear in the Topologika version of Philosophers' Quest. Quondam See under Mainframe adventures. For BBC (by Peter Killworth) [early 1980s]. The Seventh Star [TO] For BBC. Gateway to Koros [TO] For BBC. Activision, Inc: *************** They distribute Infocom (packaged as The Lost Treasures of Infocom I and II), Interplay Productions (up to around 1987), LucasArt and Abstract Concepts. They can be reached on activis@netcom.com. Alter Ego [1985 (?)] By Dr. Peter Favaro (?). For Apple II, Commodore 64, Macintosh. The player could assume different characters. There was a male and a female version of this. Portal [1986] By Rob Swigart and Brad Fregger. For Apple II, Commodore 64, Macintosh, PC. It was translated to a novel. The Lost Treasures of Infocom I Compilation of Infocom games (Ballyhoo, Beyond Zork, Deadline, Enchanter, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Infidel, Lurking Horror, Moonmist, Planetfall, Sorcerer, Spellbreaker, Starcross, Stationfall, Suspect, Suspended, The Witness, Zork I, Zork II, Zork III, Zork Zero). Leather Goddesses of Phobos 2: Gas Pump Girls Meet the Pulsating Inconvenience from Planet X [G, 1992] By Steve Meretzky. The Lost Treasures of Infocom II Compilation of Infocom games (A Mind Forever Voyaging, Border Zone, Bureaucracy, Cutthroats, Hollywood Hijinx, Nord and Bert Couldn't Make Head or Tail of It, Plundered Hearts, Seastalker, Sherlock, Wishbringer). The CD version of this compilation includes three more games that are not on the diskette version (Arthur, Journey, Shogun). Return to Zork [G, 1993] By William D. Volk (wvolk@activision.com) et al. For PC. Addison-Wesley: ************** The Antagonists By Hal Renko, Sam Edwards and Hermie Hermens. For Commodore 64. Package includes a diary and a hex listing of the adventure. A tape of the program could be bought separately. Adventions: ********** All the Adventions games are written with TADS. Those that are freeware or shareware can be found on ftp.gmd.de in /if-archive/games/adventions. Adventions can be contacted through David M. Baggett (dmb@ai.mit.edu). Unnkulian Unventure Series ========================== Humorous fantasy adventures in the style of the original adventure. As time goes on, they are becoming more and more plot-oriented as opposed to object-gathering-oriented. Freeware/Shareware ------------------ Unnkulian Underworld: The Unknown Unventure (v3.01) [TO, 1990-91] By David A. Leary. Shareware US$10. Unnkulian Unventure II: The Secret of Acme (v3.0) [TO, July 1992] By David M. Baggett. Shareware US$10. Unnkulia One-Half: The Salesman Triumphant (v1.0) [TO, Spring 1993] By David A. Leary. Freeware. Unnkulia Zero: The Search for Amanda (v1.0) - Demonstration version [TO, Spring 1993] By David A. Leary. Commercial ---------- Unnkulia Zero: The Search for Amanda (v1.0) [TO, Spring 1993] By David A. Leary. Unnkulian Unventure III [TO] By Chris Nebel. (work in progress) Unnkulian Unventure IV [TO] (work in progress) Unnkulian Universe Unventure Series =================================== These games occur in the future of the Unnkulian world and are set in a science fiction environment. Commercial ---------- The Legend Lives! [TO] By David M. Baggett. (scheduled for 1994) Ulien [TO] By David A. Leary. (work in progress) Miscellaneous ============= Freeware/Shareware ------------------ Colossal Cave Revisited (v1.0) [TO, 1993-04-20] By David M. Baggett. A remake of Crowther and Woods' original adventure. Released with complete TADS source code. Freeware. The Horror of Rylvania - Demonstration version [TO, 1993-10-31] By David A. Leary. Commercial ---------- The Horror of Rylvania [TO, 1993-10-31] By David A. Leary. Adventure International: *********************** American company founded by Scott Adams. All the adventures in the Scott Adams Classic Adventures, Others and Questprobe series use the same datafile and interpreter format and can be run using the ScottFree interpreter found on ftp.gmd.de. His games are mainly verb-noun, but had exciting plots and were well-designed. The TRS-80 driver was written by Scott Adams, while the Apple II and Commodore 64 drivers were written by Mark Jukkic. Brian Howarth later wrote another Commodore 64 driver, as well as a Spectrum one that was used with a lot (all?) of these games. They (at least some of them) were originally written in BASIC. The interpreter used depended a lot upon who released the game. There are at least two different interpreters for the Commodore 64. They distribute Brian Howarth Mysterious Adventures Series. They supplied a hint book for Scott Adams Classic Adventures 1-14 and separate hint sheets for Questprobe 1-3. All these hints are available from ftp.gmd.de. Scott Adams Classic Adventures ------------------------------ These games were later re-released with graphics [BG] as Scott Adams Graphic Adventures. 1: Adventureland [TO, 1978/BG] By Scott Adams. For Apple II, Atari 400/800, Commodore PET, Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum, TRS-80, VIC-20 (ROM). This game survived Scott Adams' wife Alexis putting the disks with the source code in the oven one time when she got sick of Scott working so much on it. "Ordinary treasure hunting." 2: Pirate Adventure (aka Pirate's Cove) [TO/BG, 1984] By Scott and Alexis Adams. For Apple II, Atari 400/800, Commodore PET, Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum, TRS-80, VIC-20 (ROM) [TO]. Explore an island and find the pirates' treasure. 3: Mission Impossible / Impossible Mission / Secret Mission [TO, 1979/G] By Scott Adams. For Apple II, Atari 400/800, Commodore Plus 4, Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum, TRS-80, VIC-20 (ROM). Originally, this game was called Mission Impossible. Then it was renamed Impossible Mission for a while and finally became Secret Mission 4: Voodoo Castle [TO/G] By Alexis Adams. For Apple II, Atari 400/800, Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum, TRS-80, VIC-20 (ROM). 5: The Count [TO, 1981/G] By Scott Adams. For Apple II, Atari 400/800, BBC B, Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum, TRS-80, VIC-20 (ROM). 6: Strange Odyssey [TO/G] By Scott Adams.For Apple II, Atari 400/800, Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum, TRS-80. 7: Fun House Mystery [TO/G] Later renamed Mystery Fun House. By Scott Adams (and Alexis Adams?). For Apple II, Atari 400/800, Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum, TRS-80. 8: Pyramid of Doom [TO/G] By Scott Adams and Alvin Files. For Apple II, Atari 400/800, Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum, TRS-80. 9: Ghost Town [TO/G] By Scott Adams. For Apple II, Atari 400/800, Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum, TRS-80. 10: Savage Island, part 1 [TO/G] By Scott Adams. For Apple II, Atari 400/800, Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum, TRS-80. 11: Savage Island, part 2 [TO/G] By Scott Adams and Russ Wetmore. For Apple II, Atari 400/800, Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum, TRS-80. 12: Golden Voyage [TO/G] By Scott Adams and William Demas. For Apple II, Atari 400/800, Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum, TRS-80. 13: Sorcerer of Claymorgue Castle [TO/BG, 1984] By Scott Adams. For Apple II, Atari 400/800, Commodore 64, Dragon-32, PC, Spectrum, TRS-80. The Dragon 32 version of this can not be finished due to an interpreter bug. 14: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai [TO/BG, 1985] By Scott Adams and Phillip Case, graphics by Kem McNair. For Apple II, Atari 400/800, Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum, TRS-80. Based on the 20th Century Fox movie The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension. "Buckaroo Banzai, a neurosurgeon, rock star and more, must try to fix a jet car that can drive him into the 8th dimension." Questprobe ---------- The adventures in this series features characters from Marvel Comics. The deal was that four or five games should be made, but as far as I know, only these three were ever published. 1: The Hulk [BG, 1984] By Scott Adams. For Apple II, Atari 400/800, Commodore 16, Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum, TRS-80. 2: Spiderman [BG, 1984] By Scott Adams. For Apple II, Atari 400/800, Commodore 16, Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum, TRS-80. Peter Parker, aka Spiderman, must defeat all of his most dangerous enemies: Sandman, Mysterio etc. 3: Fantastic Four (Human Torch & The Thing) [BG, 1984 or 1985] By Scott Adams. For Amstrad [BG], Apple II, Atari 400/800 (disk) [BG], Atari ST, BBC [TO], Commodore 16, Commodore 64 [BG], Electron [TO], PC, Spectrum [BG], TRS-80. There were two versions of this game, an American disk version and a British cassette version. They differ in graphics and commands but not in text. This game used a new game system to handle the two actors, but rather than to port that, Adventure International UK bought the rights to the game system Melbourne House used for Terrormolinos. Other Ventures -------------- These games use a different data file format than the Scott Adams games. See also under Med Systems. 1: (unknown title) For Apple II, Atari 400/800, Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum, TRS-80. 2: Crowley Manor / The Curse of Crowley Manor [TO/BG, around 1980-81] By Jymm Pearson and Norman Sailer. For Apple II [TO/BG], Atari 400/800, Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum, TRS-80. 3: Escape from Traam [TO/BG, around 1980-81] By Jymm Pearson and Norman Sailer. For Apple II [TO/BG], Atari 400/800, Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum, TRS-80. 4: San Francisco 1906 / Earthquake San Francisco 1906 [TO/BG, 1981] By Jymm Pearson and Norman Sailer. For Apple II [TO/BG, 1982], Atari 400/800, Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum, TRS-80. Saigon: The Final Days [TO/BG, 1982 or 83] By Jymm Pearson, Robyn Pearson and Norman Sailer. For Apple II [BG], Atari 400/800 (16K) [TO], Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum, TRS-80 Model 1 and 3 (16K) [TO]. Others ------ Labyrinth of Crete [G (some), 1983] By Cliff Johnson and Allen Pinero. For Apple II. Has the interesting feature of allowing the player to move two characters. Return to Pirate's Island [TO/G] By Scott Adams. For Apple II, Atari 400/800, Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum, TRS-80. Maces & Magic ------------- Advertised as a "thinking person's dungeon". These were probably RPGs with some problem solving elements. 1: Stone of Sisyphus [before 1984] For Apple II. 2: (unknown title) [before 1984] For Apple II. 3: Morton's Fork [before 1984] For Apple II. Adventure International UK: ************************** This was really a separate line of Adventure Soft UK. See also under Tynesoft. The name was used with permission from Adventure International. Gremlins [BG (some animated screens), 1984] By Brian Howarth. Graphics by Teoman Irmak. For Amstrad [BG], BBC [TO], Commodore 16 [TO], Commodore 64 [BG], Electron [TO], Spectrum [BG]. Also available in German. Based on the Steven Spielberg movie of the same title. "Save the town from being overrun by blood-thirsty gremlins." The Commodore 64 version (at least) has a bug: if you type 'GO' and press return, you get a completely new hotel. Robin of Sherwood: The Touchstones of Rhiannon [BG (some animated screens), 1985] For Amstrad [BG], BBC [TO], Commodore 16, Commodore 64 [BG], Electron [TO], Spectrum [BG]. By Michael Woodroffe and Brian Howarth. Art by Teoman Irmak. Help from Simon (Woodroffe) and Alan (Cox). Dedicated to Tricia (Mike Woodroffe's wife). Three windows: graphics/room description and things/interaction. 93 locations (about half a dozen of these lack graphics and some have identical pictures). This was based on the TV series Robin of Sherwood starring Michael Praed. Fighting Fantasy ---------------- Rabel Planet and Appointment with F. E. A. R. needed a better parser, but instead of writing one, Adventure International UK bought the rights to the game system Melbourne House used for Terrormolinos. Seas of Blood [BG, 1986] By Mike Woodroffe and Alan Cox. For Amstrad, Commodore 64, Spectrum. Based on the book of the same name by Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson. Has some combat sequences when fighting other ships. "You must explore many islands from aboard your pirate ship." Rebel Planet [BG (some animation)] By Stephan Ufnowski. For Commodore 64. Based on a book by Robin Waterfield. Appointment with F. E. A. R. I have only seen an announcement of this, I don't know if it was ever released. Adventure Soft UK: ***************** Adventure Soft UK was a British company set up by Mike Woodroffe to convert imported Scott Adams adventures to other machines. He hired Brian Howarth to do ports and they started to work together on it. After a while, they had converted all the Scott Adams games and had to wait for new ones to arrive. For a while they had their own building in Birmingham, mostly for tape duplication and mail order, but they later moved to Mike Woodroffe's house and let others do the tape duplication. See also Callisto Computers, Adventure International and Horrorsoft. Distributed by Adventure International UK and U.S. Gold. Temple of Terror [BG] By Simon Woodroffe and Mike Woodroffe. For Commodore 64 (very buggy). Based on a Fighting Fantasy book. Blizzard Pass [BG] By Alan Cox. For Spectrum 128K. Orginally sold as part of a Spectrum 128K starter pack by Tynesoft. Kayleth (Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine Presents) [BG (some animations), 1987] By Stephan Ufnowski. For Commodore 64. Based on a story by Isaac Asimov. "In the 23rd century, you must overthrow the evil Lord Kayleth." Aegis Developments: ****************** Arazok's Tomb [BG, 1987] By Rick Alves and Jo An Roberts. For Amiga. All American Adventures: *********************** A subsidiary of U. S. Gold, a European distributor for many different American software companies. They distributed Sierra On-Line, Inc, Screenplay and Med Systems. Alpine: ****** They changed their name either to or from Summit Software. Cops Plague Planet (possible Plagued Planet) American Eagle: ************** American company (probably a distributor). See also under Phoenix Software (Masquerade) and Med Systems Software (Lucifer's Realm). Fractured Faebles Analog Comp.: ************ Adventure in the Fifth Dimension [ca 1983] By Brian Moriarty. Crash Dive! [ca 1983] By Brian Moriarty. Angelsoft, Inc: ************** Distributed by Mindscape, Inc. James Bond 007 in: A View to a Kill [1985] Stephen King's The Mist [1985] Forbidden Castle [1985] By Mercer Mayer. Voodoo Island [1985] By M. J. Sayer. Rambo: First Blood Part II James Bond 007 in: Goldfinger Indiana Jones in: Revenge of the Ancients Dick Francis: High Stakes Argus Press/A. P. S. Software: ***************************** Robocity [CG, 1984] By Pete Torrance. For C64. Quill'ed. Robots have taken over the Earth but need human guidance. Enter one poor countess, who is kidnapped. Save her! The Detective Game [1986] By Sam Jay and Paul Jay. Artic Computing: *************** All their games had a two word parser and used a small game driver. 1: Planet of Death For ZX80 4K, ZX81, Any Spectrum, Commodore 64. 2: Inca Curse [TO] For Commodore 64, Spectrum 48K, ZX81. 3: The Ship of Doom [1982] For Commodore 64, Spectrum 48K, ZX81 16K. 4: Espionage Island For Commodore 64, Spectrum 48K, ZX81 16K. 5: The Golden Apple [DG] For Commodore 64, Spectrum 48K. This game introduced graphics and had a slightly better parser. Dead at the Controls [DG] For Commodore 64, Spectrum 48K. Artworx: ******* American company. Gwendolyn [CG, before 1984] By Marc Russell Benioff. For Atari 40K disk. It had some animation and sound effects. ASP Software: ************ Demon Knight [TO, 1983] For Commodore 64, Spectrum. Written in BASIC. Defeat the Demon Knight. Robert Wayne Atkins: ******************* Robert Wayne Atkins can be contacted at 1451 Rhododendron Drive, Acworth, Georgia 30102-3557, USA. All these games cost (May 1994) $6.95 and there are solution booklets (hints, maps, and complete solution) available for $3.95. The Ghost of Briarcliff Castle [TO] By Robert Wayne Atkins. For PC. It is a warm spring day in the year 1897. As you glance over the classified ads in the London Daily Times, your eyes are drawn to one ad in particular which reads: WANTED: An individual who has practical experience in the art of healing. A medical degree is not required. The individual must be single, and willing to live in an old castle on a secluded island off the east coast of England. The ad brings to mind the Book of Healing you inherited from your Gypsy parents. You decide to take a chance and answer the ad. To your amazement, you get the job. You immediately book passage to the island, and arrive at the castle a few days later. As you unpack, you record your inventory of herbs and elixirs in your Book of Healing. By chance, you overhear the servants talking about a Ghost that haunts the castle at night. You laugh to yourself since you were taught that only the simpleminded still believe in ghosts. However, the events that unfold in the days ahead may cause you to reconsider your beliefs. The Lost Crown of Queen Anne [TO] By Robert Wayne Atkins. For PC. Queen Anne took the throne in England in the year 1702. We were still a British colony at that time, so she was also Queen of what would soon become known as the United States. Shortly after death in 1714, her Royal Crown mysteriously disappeared. The last known owner of the Crown was an Arabian Desert Sheik. The Crown wasn't found when the Sheik was killed in a tribal war in the year 1936. Many people have searched for the Crown since then, but no one has been able to find it. You desire riches and adventure, so you have traveled to the Arabian desert to look for the Lost Crown, You were getting close to the Sheik's abandoned desert home when your camel went lame. You are now on foot. You have also eaten the last of your food and water. The House that Nobody Wanted [TO] By Robert Wayne Atkins. For PC. After saving your money for a long time, you now have enough to make the down payment on a house of your own. But prices are higher than you expected, and the only home you can afford is an old one that needs a few repairs. However, the place is partially furnished, and the price includes everything in the home. After you but the house, you discover that its last owner was a rich, eccentric old lady who kept to herself and never socialized. Her entire life was a mystery, and when she died there were no heirs to inherit her property. Today you get to move into your new home. You wonder what you'll find. Murder in the Mediterranean [TO] By Robert Wayne Atkins. For PC. All of your friends consider you to be the world's greatest living detective. Recently, one of your friends bought an old English home. The home is located on a small island in the Mediterranean. You have been invited (along with eleven other guests) to help celebrate the purchase of this new island retreat. After flying into a mainland airport, you take a short boat ride over to the island home of your friend. You arrive late Friday night, and you go straight to bed. Unfortunately, the weekend will not be a happy one. Before your very eyes, a man will get shot. While you try to save the dying mans life, the killer will escape. Then you're told the phone line has been cut. And the shuttle boat won't return to the island until 6 PM Sunday evening. So you are put in charge of the investigation. But you had better be careful. The next murder victum might be you. Journey to the Earth's Core [TO] By Robert Wayne Atkins. For PC. While cleaning out an old dusty trunk in your Grandfather's attic, you discover a diary written by a man named Wendorf MacMillan. The entry dated April 3, 1857 tells where a small gold mine is located in the Rocky Mountains. In the entries that follow, Wendorf tells about a series of underground caves he discovered while digging in his mine. Vividly, he describes his Journey to the Earth's Core. The path is laden whith danger and with great riches, including fistfuls of diamonds at the Eath's Core. After carefully weighing all risks, you decide to make the Journey to the Earth's Core. You will start your journey at a small store in the Rocky Mountains. You have $1,000 to spend on supplies. The store carries a variety of items, such as ropes, weapons, and tools. You should but whatever you think you will need to complete the entire journey. When you leave the store, you will find yourself at the bottom of the tall mountain described in Wendorf's diary. Your first objective will be to find the entrance to Wendorf's Gold Mine. The Wild West of the 1870's [TO] By Robert Wayne Atkins. For PC. As you sit quietly in the train station in El Paso, Texas, your mind travels back to tow weeks ago. You remember the words your Ma whispered to you on her death bed: "Honey, I ain't your real Ma. You were left at my front door as an infant, along with this here note." On the old tattered piece of brown paper she gave you, these few words were written: "Please take care of our baby. We're flat broke and we gotta go West to find work. We're afraid to take the baby with us because of the Indians." JH After you buried the only Ma you ever knew, you headed West to find your real folks. Right now you're thinking about all the different things you could do while you look for your folks. You might take up gambling. You could try your luck at Blackjack, or Roulette, or Five Card Stud, or High-Low, or even the Wheel of Fortune. Or you could try Prospecting or Fur Trapping. You've even thought about becoming a Bounty Hunter, or a Sheriff. or maybe even an Outlaw. You'll have to decide soon....because the whistle of your train sounds in the distance. Romance in the Caribbean [TO] By Robert Wayne Atkins. For PC. The telephone rings. You aren't expecting any phone calls, so you wonder who it might be. You lift the receiver and say "Hello?" A male voice says, "Hi. My name is Bill Wilson. I'm the manager at the grocery store where you entered out contest. We just had the drawing and you've won the grand prize." "The grand prize is a one week vacation cruise in the tropical Caribbean. It includes round trip air-fare to Maimi plus $1,000 in cash. The cruise ship leaves this Sunday at 8 PM, and it returns next Sunday at noon." After he gives you the rest of the details, you hang up the phone. A few minutes later you call your boss and he gives you permission to take the next week off. On Sunday, you pack your things and you catch the afternoon flight to Miami. When the plane lands, you take a taxi to the ship dock. A crew member greets you when you board the ship, and he leads you to your cabin. After you unpack, you get into bed. As you drift off to sleep, all your instincts tell you that your dreams of romance will soon come true. The Temple of Death [TO] By Robert Wayne Atkins. For PC. While out were out shopping one day, you get caught in a sudden thunderstorm. You enter a nearby Used Book Store to get out of the rain. To pass the time, you select an old book to read. The author was an archaeologist who visited Mexico about 20 years ago. While he was there he found an old stone temple that his native guide called The Temple of Death. After finding the secret entrance, he ventured inside and got lost for two days. He barely escaped with his life and a few treasures worth a small fortune. Terrified by his experience, he never went back into the temple. A few years later, he recorded his adventure in the book you now hold. Intrigued by the story, you buy the book and you leave the store. Later, you decide to take a two week vacation from your job. You then purchase a few basic supplies and a plane ticket for Mexico... Future Quest [TO] By Robert Wayne Atkins. For PC. The time is several years from now. Technology has advanced at a rapid pace. Electronic equipment is now smaller and lighter in weight. The one exception are televisions, which are now bigger and better than ever. There have also been a number of social changes. The government has created a new monetary unit, called a Credit. The government claimed this new type of currency would solve our nations inflationary problems. However, this new currency didn't stop inflation at all; it simply got several politicians elected. The first official act of these new politicians was to create a government agency called Central Control. The Agency's purpose is to hire and train Special Agents. Those agents are then assigned to work on missions of national importance. That's where you come in. You were just hired as a Special Agent, and you have been assigned to work in the city of Marshallville. In the days ahead, you will be called upon to handle a wide variety of extremely dangerous missions. Atlantis: ******** Velnor's Lair [TO] For Commodore 64. Written in BASIC. This had a few RPG elements. Audiogenic/Radarsoft: ******************** Magic Stone [BG, 1984] By John Vanderaart. For C64. Search a haunted house for a stone that will turn lead into gold! Automata UK Ltd: *************** Pimania [G] For Commodore 64, Spectrum. Written in Basic. "not exactly an adventure as such, most odd game" Avalon Hill: *********** Ripper [TO (sound effects)] By John Winnie and Stanley Baronett, Jr. For Commodore 64. Map included in package. Empire of the Overmind [TO] For Apple II, Atari 8-bit. "Rid a desolate, suffering land of the evil 'overmind'." G. F. S. Sorceress [1982] For Apple II. Avant-Garde Creations: ********************* Chambers of Xenobia [G, 1981] By Steven Sacks. For Apple II. Race for Midnight [G, 1981] By Steven Sacks. For Apple II. Bantam Imagic: ************* Sherlock Holmes: Another Bow [1985] Beyond: ****** Sorderon's Shadow [BG] For Spectrum 48K. This was a conventional game using landscaping. Doomdark Trilogy ---------------- Lords of Midnight [BG] By Mike Singleton. For Commodore 64, Spectrum. This was some kind of mix between a war game and an adventure. It used a technique called landscaping to create a graphical picture of what you looked at, regardless of where in the game you were or in what direction you were looking. Doomdark's Revenge [BG] By Mike Singleton. For Commodore 64, Spectrum. This was a sequel to Lords of Midnight and similar in design. Eye of the Moon Sequel to Doomdark's Revenge. This might not have been released. Big Sky Software: **************** Time Thief [TO, 1988] By Don MacLeod. For C64. Written in (heavily modified) Quill. Probably the most technically advanced Quill-adventure ever written. Massive text compression allows for an advanced parser, huge vocabulary and LOADS of text! The game is great, too! Through two parts, you must discover who is stealing people's time (and hence their lives!). Fantasy setting. Br?derbund Software: ******************* American company. They distribute Synapse Software and Ultrasoft. Deadly Secrets [G, 1982] By Scott Schram. For Apple II. Blood Quest [G, 1984] For Apple II. This might not have been ever released. Buffer Micros: ************* Mysterious Fairground For Spectrum 48K. Written with The Quill. Bug-Byte: ******** Twin Kingdom Valley [DG, 1983] By Trevor Hall. For Commodore 16, Commodore 64, Spectrum 48K. Callisto Computers: ****************** British company started by Mike Woodroffe, based in Birmingham. He imported the various Scott Adams games from Adventure International for Apple II and Atari 400/800 and later Commodore 64 disk. At the time, the popular computers in Britain were ZX80 and ZX81 and the games scarcely caused a ripple in the market. Then came the VIC-20 (and the imported Scott Adams cartridges) and a whole host of new systems. Tape based Commodore 64s and Spectrums literally created a mass market of what was previously a specialist arena. See also under Adventure Soft UK. Carnell Software: **************** Black Crystal [G] For Spectrum. Divided into six parts. You move your character with the arrow keys. Written in Basic. The Wrath of Magra By Roy Carnell. Divided into four parts. CDS: *** They distributed SCR Adventures. Celtic Software: *************** Located in Dublin, Ireland. Manor of Madness [TO, early 1984] By Colm McCarthy. For Spectrum 48K, Oric-1 (?). Might have been written with The Quill. A graphic version might have been released in 1985. Had a good multiple word parser. Corridors of the Nethermind [TO] By Colm McCarthy. For Spectrum 48K, Oric-1 (?). "Fairly small but almost impossible." A graphic version might have been released in 1985. Had a good multiple word parser. ? A third game might have been released in 1985. Channel 8: ********* English company specializing in adventure games. They distributed the Brian Howarth Mysterious Adventures Series. Codemasters: *********** Necris Dome [DG, 1987] For Commodore 64. Written with GAC. "The leader of a cemetery in orbit around Earth plans to attack Earth. You must stop him." Cognetics Corporation: ********************* American company. Distributed by Electronic Arts. Amnesia [TO, 1984-87] By Thomas M. Disch and Kevin Bentley. For Apple II. Colleen Ltd: *********** Mystery Voyage Adventure [TO] For Commodore 64. Divided into three parts. Collins: ******* The Mystery of the Marie Celeste By Jim Gregory. For Commodore 16. Published in listing form in the book "Commodore 16 Games Book" (Which also includes hints on writing your own adventures). Commodore: ********* American company. They released a few of the Infocom games in separate (boring) packaging, lacking most of the things found in the real versions. 1: The Mutant Spiders [TO] For Commodore 64 (ROM). Written in BASIC. Some spiders have mutated and threaten to take over the world. 3: The Fourth Sarcophagus [TO] For Commodore 64 (ROM). Written in BASIC. "Treasure hunt set in Egypt. Pretty bad." The Ship [TO] For Commodore 64 (ROM). Written in BASIC. Cookies Under the Floor: *********************** Lost By Jeffrey Hersh (frumple@aol.com). Written for TADS. Shareware. CRL Group PLC: ************* British software company based in King's Yard. It was run by Clement Chambers and Ian Ellery. They distributed Delta 4 Software. Dracula [BG, 1986, MUSIC (Beethoven's 9th symphony)] By Rod Pike. For Commodore 64. Written (in the first person) with the Quill. This was the first adventure game to be awarded a film censorship rating (15 years) in Britain. Divided into three parts: the first contains the journey to the castle, the second Jonathan Harker's experiences in the castle, and the third the killing of the count after his journey to England. The Very Big Cave Adventure [BG] For Commodore 64. Written with The Quill and The Illustrator. Divided into two parts. Jack the Ripper [BG, 1988] For Commodore 64. CRL tries to outdo Rod Pike's Dracula (released by themselves!) in gory details. 3 parts follows a man on the run, because people think he is Jack the Ripper, who is on the loose killing prostitutes in London. Murder off Miami [BG] By Fergus McNeill and Jason Somerville. For Commodore 64. Causes of Chaos [TO] By Mike Taylor. For Commodore 64. Written in compiled BASIC. "I believe it was the first multi-player adventure for the Commodore 64, though this had to be achieved by the players taking turns. In all honesty, I doubt anyone really played it like that, but it was a good single-player adventure anyway." Pilgrim [TO, 1986] By Rod Pike. For Commodore 64. Written with The Quill. "Post-nuclear war setting has player trying to reach the end, where he discovers something called Earth." Wolfman [TO, 1988] By Rod Pike. For Commodore 64. Quill'ed. Man wakes up to discover that he has just slaughtered a young girl - he is the Wolfman! He must make his way to a faraway temple where he can be cured. In sections of the 3 parts, you control his newfound love interest instead of him. Frankenstein [TO, 1987] By Rod Pike. For C64. GAC'ed. Based on the book (with Pike's usual high gore quotient!) In three parts, of which the last (very fascinating) part takes the monsters viewpoint, from creation till death. The Secret of St. Brides [TO,music, 1985] By Priscilla Langridge. For C64. Quill'ed. A girl is taken back in time to a 1920's girl school and must escape across the countryside. Strange game, this one (elephants in the basement etc.) Bugsy [DG, 1986] By Priscilla Langridge. For C64. Quill'ed. Humorous 2-parter follows the adventures of Bugsy, a small-time mobster rabbit (!) trying to bribe, steal and blackmail his way to the top of the "Public Enemy"-list in 1920's Chicago. Cyberdreams: *********** Darkseed [MCG, 1992, PnC, MUSIC] By Mike Dawson and Mike Cranford. For Amiga, PC. "'Horror' mystery set in and around a dark and gruesome world based on the drawings of Alien-artist H.R. Giger. Man wakes up in his new house, only to discover that a mirror in the living room is a portal to an alien world, where creatures are planning to conquer our world!" Danish Adventure Company: ************************ Wasteland [TO, 1988] By Michael Svendsen. For C64. GAC'ed. Public Domain. Figure out what is wrong in a village in the desert, and you will soon discover you have to combat an evil lord called Quarrior! Datamost: ******** Earthly Delights [TO, 1984] For Apple II. Mabel's Mansion [G, 1984] For Apple II. Datasoft, Inc: ************* American company. Distributed by IntelliCreations. Sands of Egypt [G, 1983] By Frank Cohen. For Apple II. The Dallas Quest [BG, 1984] By James Garon. For Atari, Commodore 64 (music) (probably also Apple II, PC, PCjr). Based on the TV series. Gunslinger [1986] Dark Lord [BG,music,animations, 1987] By Kyle Freeman. For C64. Davka: ***** The Lion's Share [G, 1983] By Robert Aaron, Robb Murray, Lawrence Rublin, Reena Yuvkowski and Mike Levine. For Apple II. The Philistine Ploy [G, 1983] Robert Aaron and Alan Rosenbaum. For Apple II. Delphine Software: ***************** French company. They used a system called Cinematique. Future Wars - Time Travellers [MCG, 1989, PnC, MUSIC] By Paul Cuisset. For Amiga, PC. "Our hero, a simple window washer, suddenly finds himself running around in the Middle Ages and thousands of years into the future, trying to stop two races travelling through time in order to kill each other (and, of course, he has to save the king's daughter, too!). A few arcade sequences." Operation Stealth / Ye Stealth Affair [MCG, 1990, PnC, MUSIC] By Paul Cuisset, P. Chastel. For Amiga. Released in the US as Ye Stealth Affair. "Secret agent goes to small South American country to locate a new hi-tech plane which has been stolen. Some (annoying) arcade sequences." Cruise for a Corpse [MCG, 1991, PnC, MUSIC] For Amiga. "Agatha Christie-type murder mystery set on a cruise ship in the 1920's that has people dropping dead all over the place while the player has to be at the right place at the right time to watch things happen and to question the passengers, before they are killed." Delta 4 Software: **************** A British company. They started the label Abstract Concepts in 1987 for serious adventures. Distributed by CRL Group PLC and Macmillan. Sherwood Forest By Fergus McNeill. The Dragonstar Trilogy By Fergus McNeill. Divided into three parts. Quest for the Holy Joystick By Fergus McNeill. For Spectrum 48K. Written with The Quill. Return of the Joystick By Fergus McNeill. For Spectrum 48K. Written with The Quill. Bored of the Rings [G, 1985] By Fergus McNeill. For Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64 [1986], Spectrum. Divided into three parts. Written with The Quill. A parody on "Lord of the Rings". This might be based on the book by the same name by The Harvard Lampoon. Robin of Sherlock [G] By Fergus McNeill. For Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, Spectrum. A parody on "Sherlock Holmes" and "Robin Hood". Written with The Quill and The Illustrator. Divided into three parts. The Boggit [G, 1985?] By Fergus McNeill. For Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, Spectrum. A parody on "The Hobbit". Written with The Quill. Divided into three parts. The Big Sleaze [1987] By Fergus McNeill. Divided into three parts. The Colour of Magic [BG] By Fergus McNeill. For Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, Spectrum. Based on the book of the same title by Terry Pratchett and contains passages straight from the book. Written with The Quill and The Illustrator. Divided into four parts. Destiny Software: **************** Destiny [BG,icon-controlled, 1985] By Jeff Pierce. For C64. Digital Concepts: **************** Island of Lost Hope [BG, 1989, sound effects] By Michael Dimambro and Don Milosavljevic. For Amiga. "Player must escape small island and board a pirate ship in order to win." Digital Fantasia: **************** They distributed the Brian Howarth Mysterious Adventures Series. Beyond the Infinite. Domark Software: *************** Eureka [BG, music and sound effects, 1984-10-31] Story by Ian Livingstone. Programmed by Hungarians Dont Kiss and Andrs Csszr. For Commodore 64, Spectrum. Divided into five parts (prehistory, roman, medieval, world war II and the present). Since each part was set in a different time, it did not matter which one you played first. If you managed to solve it all and could figure out the hidden telephone number to call and the first person to do so before 1985-12-31 would win #25.000. If no-one managed to solve the game before then, the money would be distributed among the participating players. The game was solved by 15-year-old Mathew Woodley from the UK 4-5 months before the deadline. A book of maps and hints (written by Ian Livingstone and Mathew Woodley) was published a while after the game was first solved. There was no save command. Dragonware: ********** Ooze [BG, 1989] By Guy Henkel and H.J. Braendle. For Amiga. "Horror adventure." Duckworth: ********* Castle Dracula [TO] For Amstrad. Colossal Cave Adventure [TO] By Peter Gerrard. For Amstrad. The Odyssey [TO] For Commodore 64. Fool's Gold [TO] For C64. Written in BASIC. Explore some old ruins in the desert. Standard treasure-hunt fare. EduWare Services, Inc: ********************* American company. The adventure games were written by EduWare's Interactive Fantasies division. Mystery House For Apple II. (I've seen an ad for this game. Is it the same as the one under Sierra On-Line?) Prisoner [1981] By David Mullich. For Apple II. Prisoner 2 [1982] By David Mullich. For Apple II, Atari (disk), PC. The Empire Trilogy ------------------ Empire I: World Builders By David Mullich. For Apple II. Empire II: Interstellar Sharks By David Mullich. For Apple II. Empire III: Armageddon By David Mullich. For Apple II. 8th Day: ******* British company. They produced at least six adventures (with The Quill). Quann Tulla By Mike Smith and Gary Kelbrick. Written with The Quill. Faerie By Mike Smith and Gary Kelbrick. Written with The Quill. Eldritch Games Ltd: ****************** They are distributed by Electronic Arts. Hound of Shadow [1989] For Amiga, PC. "It is about a guy who gets a curse on him and discovers more and more of the hideous lore and magic that is now on his back. It is fairly related to H. P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos." Electronic Arts: *************** P. O. Box 7578, San Mateo, CA 94403-7578, USA; phone (415) 572-ARTS. 11-49 Station Road, Langley, Berks SL3 8YN, England; phone (0753) 49442. They distributed Interplay Productions (from about 1987), Eldritch Games Ltd and Cognetics Corporation. English Software: **************** Stranded [DG, 1984] By D. Woodhouse and C. Hughes. For C64. Poor space traveller has crashed on an (almost) deserted planet and must find a way home to Earth. Extremely short, illogical,bad parser etc. Epyx: **** The Robots of Dawn For Commodore 64. Based on the book of the same title by Isaac Asimov. Firebird: ******** British company (First Floor, 64-67 New Oxford Street, London, WC1A 1PS, England). They were part of British Telecom. See also Rainbird Entertainment. The Helm [TO, 1985] By Simon Jay. For Commodore 64. Written with The Quill. Find The Helm of Immortality. All comments are of the "Strike me with another gem of brilliance, oh most worthy one"-kind! Seabase Delta [DG] By Peter Torrance. For Commodore 64. Subsunk [BG] Prequel to Seabase Delta. You are trapped in a sunk submarine and have to find a way to escape. Runestone [G] A game in which you control four characters. It used landscaping backgrounds to give a large graphical game area. Wild West For Commodore 64. First Row Software: ****************** American company. Dr. Dumont's Wild P.A.R.T.I. [TO] By Michael Berlyn. Games Workshop: ************** Tower of Despair [TO, 1985] For Commodore 64, Spectrum. Written with The Quill. Two-parter fantasy adventure, in which you must defeat the evil Demon Lord and fight his evil minions. Package included a booklet with lots of illustrations, without which the game is _very_ hard to solve. Tower II: The Key of Hope [G] For Spectrum 48K. Written with The Quill and The Illustrator. Divided into two parts. Gameworx Software: ***************** Thermonuclear Wargames [CG,music, 1984] For C64. A crazed computer is trying to start a nuclear war between USA and USSR. You must find the code that de-activates it. Global Software: *************** The Magician's Ball [G] Has music (several parts of Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells). "Controlling two characters in a fantasy world, you have to (it seems!) defeat an evil witch. The game is very atmospheric, but filled with bugs (You can have all sorts of creatures walking around killing other - sometimes already dead! - creatures - and that you can get to what seems to be the ending without solving more that a few of the puzzles - the best one is that you can unlock all doors in the game with a _dead bird_!!!). Entertaining, nonetheless." Old Friends For Commodore 128 (with on-screen map), Commodore 64. Grana Software: ************** Swedish software company. I think they made some other games too. Excalibur For Commodore 64. Gremlin Software/Exile Designs: ****************************** Suspicious Cargo [BG, 1991, PnC/TEXT, MUSIC] By Martin Cowan. For Amiga. "Set in the late 21st century on the Saturn moon Titan." Greg Hassett: ************ See under Mad Hatter Software. Hayden Software: *************** Crystal Caverns [TO, 1983] By David Kitchen. For Apple II. Crime Stopper [TO, 1983] By David Kitchen. For Apple II. Alibi For Apple II. Hewson Consultants: ****************** Quest [G] For Spectrum. High Energy Software: ******************** High Energy Software also produce the text adventure design system TADS which has been used to write these adventures. It is shareware $40 and available from ftp.gmd.de. Commercial ---------- Perdition's Flames [TO, 1993] By Michael J. Roberts. Source code available to registred users. Freeware/Shareware ------------------ High Tech Drifter [TO] Ditch Day Drifter [TO, 1990] By Michael J. Roberts. Included (with source) in the TADS distribution. Deep Space Drifter [TO, 1990] By Michael J. Roberts and Steve McAdams. Shareware $15. Source code available to registred users. Highland Computer Services: ************************** Mummy's Curse [G] For Apple II. Oldorf's Revenge [G] For Apple II. Goblins For Apple II. Creature Venture For Apple II. Horrorsoft: ********** Horrorsoft was really Adventure Soft UK in disguise. Tynesoft provided some of the artists for the games. Distributed by Tynesoft. Personal Nightmare [IG, PnC, MUSIC] Game by Mike Woodroffe, Keith Wadhams and Alan Cox. System by Alan Cox and Alan Bridgeman. Pictures and animations by Teoman Irmak. Both text and iconic input. Game system written in C. Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (development, see Accolade) [IG, sound] By Mike Woodroffe and Keith Wadhams. Graphics by Teoman Irmak and other artists. Graphics code by Alan Bridgeman. Mouse driven game. This actually runs under the AberMUD5 MUD driver with a graphical front end added. Elvira 2 (development, see Accolade) Part RPG. Waxworks [IG, PnC, MUSIC] For Amiga, PC. RPG with adventure overtones. Uses the same game-system as Elvira I. "The player has to explore four waxworks, namely Jack the Ripper's London, a cemetary, a mine filled with mutants and a pyramid in order to remove a curse put on his family." Brian Howarth: ************* See also under Adventure International UK and Tynesoft. Mysterious Adventures Series ---------------------------- Brian Howarth used a basic game design tool for writing Scott Adams databases and wrote his own TRS-80 driver so he could then ship and sell them. This driver became the Adventure International Spectrum driver for all games including Scott's and Brian did a lot of the code used for the graphics system in the later Spectrum games. After all these games Brian was involved in Dungeons & Dragons game stuff. The ScottFree interpreter on ftp.gmd.de will play the Brian Howarth databases. Distributed by Molimerx Ltd and Channel 8 Software, later by Adventure International. Some time also by Digital Fantasia. These games are available in both the UK and the US. These games were originally released for the TRS-80. At least some of these games were available for Dragon-32. The graphics are by someone called Jon. The Golden Baton [DG, 1981, 82] By Brian Howarth. For Commodore 64, Spectrum 48K, TRS Model 1 [TO]. The Time Machine [DG, 1981] By Brian Howarth. For Commodore 64, Spectrum 48K, TRS Model 1 [TO]. A professor has been caught in time. You must travel to four different time zones (prehistoric time, ancient Egypt, Mary Celeste and the future) in order to find three prisms that can rescue the old geezer. Arrow of Death, part 1 [DG, 1981, 82] By Brian Howarth. For Commodore 64, Spectrum 48K, TRS Model 1 [TO]. Find a magic arrow and kill the evil Xerdon. The two adventures were sold seperately and can be solved as such. Arrow of Death, part 2 [DG, 1982] By Brian Howarth. For Commodore 64, Spectrum 48K, TRS Model 1 [TO]. Find a magic arrow and kill the evil Xerdon. The two adventures were sold seperately and can be solved as such. Escape from Pulsar 7 [DG, 1982] By Brian Howarth and Wherner Barnes. For BBC Micro, Commodore 64, Spectrum 48K, TRS Model 1 [TO]. Escape a wrecked space ship. Circus [DG, 1982] By Brian Howarth and Wherner Barnes. For BBC Micro, Commodore 64, Spectrum 48K, TRS Model 1 [TO]. Some poor spirits are trapped within a circus - blow it up! Feasibility Experiment [DG] For Commodore 64, Spectrum 48K. "Explore an ancient culture." 8: The Wizard of Akyrz [DG] By Brian Howarth and Cliff J. Ogden. For Commodore 64, Spectrum 48K. Save the king's daughter (and some valuables along the way). 9: Perseus and Andromeda [DG, 1983] By Brian Howarth. For Commodore 64. Perseus, from the ancient Greek legend, must defeat the Medusa and ride a pegasus in order to save Andromeda from a remote island. Ten Little Indians [DG, 1983] By Brian Howarth. For Commodore 64, Spectrum 48K. 11: Waxworks [DG, 1983] By Brian Howarth and Cliff J. Ogden. For Commodore 64, Spectrum. You are trapped within a waxworks. Find statues of famous people (like Hillary and Tensing) to make your way out. Humbug Software/Graham Cluley: ***************************** Humorous oddball adventure games in the style of the Infocom classics. Graham Cluley can be contacted at hamrag@cix.compulink.co.uk or gcluley@sands.co.uk. He currently works as S&S International (makers of Dr. Solomon's Anti-Virus Toolkit), a job he got because the MD's children liked his games so much! These games have been very successful as shareware with over 2000 registrations (April 1994). Jacaranda Jim (v5.00) [TO, 1987-93] By Graham Cluley. For PC. Shareware (UKP6). "Many players of Jacaranda Jim ask me what the point of the game is. Do you have to discover the secret of the Wild Women's teapot, uncover a vast treasure hoard or simply get a nice haircut for less than two bob? Well, just as in life the final objective of Jacaranda Jim is a mystery. However, it just might be a good idea to escape from Ibberspleen IV, and continue your journey back home to Earth." Humbug (v4.3) [TO, 1990-93] By Graham Cluley. For PC. Shareware (UKP9). "You, Sidney Widdershins, are sent to your Grandad's for the school holidays. Why is Jasper the dentist so desperate that Grandad should sell the manor? Why has Grandad hidden a time machine in the cellar? Why does the octopus insist on performing the ancient ritual of Wubble-A-Gloop with you? What doesn't Kevin the clockwork shark like about your haircut? What would YOU do with a trombone, a terrapin and half a pound of lard?" Hutchinson Computer Publishing: ****************************** The Fourth Protocol [BG] For Commodore 64, Spectrum. Based on the book of the same title by Frederick Forsyth. Divided into three parts. Both icon and text input. IBM: *** American company. See also under Softwin Associates. Zyll [TO, 1984] By Marshal W. Linder and Scott B. Edwards. For PC (might have been for PCjr originally). Zorkish type of game, but using keys to select from menus rather than typing commands. Two could play simultaneously (cooperatively or competetively). One player used the keys to the left, the other those to the right on the same keyboard. When the other player was nearby, he would show up in your descriptions. ICOM Simulations, Inc: ********************* American company. All of these are very graphical adventures where you point and click in the pictures to get things, etc. Icom has been doing the "Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective" series recently. There are three volumes out on CD-ROM only. They probably shouldn't be regarded as adventures, though. Distributed by Mindscape, Inc. Dj Vu: A nightmare Comes True!! [IG, 1985] For Amiga, Apple IIGS, Commodore 64, Macintosh, PC (Windows). Uninvited [IG, 1986] For Amiga, Apple IIGS, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Macintosh, PC (Windows). Shadowgate [1987, 88] For Amiga, Apple IIGS, CD-I system (on CD), Macintosh. Dj Vu II: Lost in Las Vegas [1988] For Amiga, Apple IIGS, CD-I system (on CD), Macintosh. IJK Software: ************ Fantasy Quest [TO] For Oric-1. Imagine Software: **************** See under Mindscape, Inc. Incentive Software: ****************** They also made Graphic Adventure Creator. Ket Trilogy ----------- When these games were released in a single package, they figured on-screen mapping. 1: Mountains of Ket [TO, 1985] By R. A. McCormack. For Commodore 64, Dragon, Spectrum 48K. Partially written in BASIC. 2: Temple of Vran [TO] By R. A. McCormack. For Commodore 64, Dragon, Spectrum 48K. 3: The Final Mission [TO] By R. A. McCormack. For Commodore 64, Dragon, Spectrum 48K. Others ------ Winter Wonderland For Amstrad CPC, BBC B, Commodore 64, Spectrum. The Legend of the Apache Gold [DG] By Peter Torrance. For Commodore 64. Written with Graphic Adventure Creator. Infocom: ******* The information about Infocom is just an overview that I have put in here for completeness. If you want to know more about these games or abour Infocom as such, there are two excellent information files on ftp.gmd.de (fact-sheet.txt by Paul David Doherty and gameinfo.txt by Paul D. Smith) and a lot of articles. In 1986, Activision, Inc bought Infocom. See also under Commodore. See also under Legend (Bob Bates, Steve Meretzky), Interplay (Michael Berlyn), First Row (Michael Berlyn), Accolade (Michael Berlyn), Analog Corporation (Brian Moriarty), LucasArt (Brian Moriarty). The Zork Series --------------- See under Mainframe adventures. Zork I: The Great Underground Empire [TO, 1980] By Marc Blank and Dave Lebling. Zork II: The Wizard of Frobozz [TO, 1981] By Marc Blank and Dave Lebling. Zork III: The Dungeon Master [TO, 1982] By Marc Blank and Dave Lebling. Beyond Zork [TO (with on-screen map), 1987] By Brian Moriarty. Zork Zero: The Revenge of Megaboz [BG, 1988] By Steve Meretzky. The Enchanter Trilogy --------------------- Enchanter [TO, 1983] By Marc Blank and Dave Lebling. Sorcerer [TO, 1984] By Steve Meretzky. Spellbreaker [TO, 1985] By Dave Lebling. Other games ----------- Deadline [TO, 1982] By Marc Blank. Starcross [TO, 1982] By Dave Lebling. Suspended [TO, 1983] By Michael Berlyn. The Witness [TO, 1983] By Stu Galley. Planetfall [TO, 1983] By Steve Meretzky. Infidel [TO, 1983] By Michael Berlyn and Patricia Fogleman. Seastalker [TO, 1984] By Stu Galley and Jim Lawrence. Cutthroats [TO, 1984] By Michael Berlyn and Jerry Wolper. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy [TO, 1984] By Douglas Adams and Steve Meretzky. Based on the book of the same name by Douglas Adams Suspect [TO, 1984] By Dave Lebling. Wishbringer: The Magick Stone of Dreams [TO, 1985] By Brian Moriarty. A Mind Forever Voyaging [TO, 1985] By Steve Meretzky. Ballyhoo [TO, 1985] By Jeff O'Neill. Trinity [TO, 1986] By Brian Moriarty. Leather Goddesses of Phobos [TO, 1986] By Steve Meretzky. Moonmist [TO, 1986] By Stu Galley and Jim Lawrence. Hollywood Hijinx [TO, 1986] By Dave Anderson and Liz Cyr-Jones. Bureaucracy [TO, 1987] By Douglas Adams et al. Stationfall [TO, 1987] By Steve Meretzky. Sequel to Planetfall. The Lurking Horror [TO, 1987] By Dave Lebling. Nord and Bert Couldn't Make Head or Tail of It [TO, 1987] By Jeff O'Neill. Plundered Hearts [TO, 1987] By Amy Briggs. Border Zone [TO, 1987] By Marc Blank. Sherlock: The Riddle of the Crown Jewels [BG, 1987] By Bob Bates. James Clavell's Shogun [BG, 1989] By Dave Lebling. Based on the book of the same name by James Clavell. Journey [BG, 1989] By Marc Blank. Arthur: The Quest for Excalibur [BG, 1989] By Bob Bates and Duane Beck. Infogrames: ********** French company. The Inheritance Panic in Las Vegas. [IG] For Commodore 64. Vera Cruz Available in French and German (probably also in English). Die Erbschaft (The Heritage) Available in French and German (probably also in English). Die Urkunde (The Document) Available in German (probably also in English). Reisende im Wind (Travellers in the Wind) Available in French and German (probably also in English). Reisende im Wind II (Travellers in the Wind II) [1987] Available in French and German (probably also in English). Inrac Corporation: ***************** See under Mindscape, Inc. IntelliCreations: **************** They distributed Datasoft, Inc. Interactive Technologies: ************************ Dance of the Vampires [BG] By Martyn Westwood. For C64. GAC'ed. Inspired by the classic Polanski horror-movie spoof. Interceptor Micros: ****************** Empire of Karn For Commodore 64. Heroes of Karn [BG, music] For Commodore 64, Spectrum 48K (improved parser and graphics but no music) [1985]. Spectrum graphics by Tony Greer. Interplay Productions: ********************* Distributed by Activision, Inc until sometime round 1987, then by Electronic Arts. Located in Los Angeles, CA (earlier Irvine, CA). They used a system called Advent 2 to create their games. Mindshadow [G] For Amstrad 464, Apple II, Atari 800, XE, XL (disk), Atari ST, Commodore 64 (disk only), PC, PCjr, Spectrum. The Tracer Sanction [BG (some animation)] For Commodore 64. Borrowed Time [G, 1985] Story by Brian Fargo and Michael Cranford. Graphics by David Lowery, Curt Toumanian and Greg Miller. For Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64. Common commands could be entered with icons. Tass Times in Tonetown [BG, 1986, music (including a "Jaws" rip-off)] Story by Michael Berlyn, Muffy Berlyn, Brian Fargo and Steve Nielsen. Graphics by Bill Heineman and Todd Canasta. For Amiga, Apple IIGS, Atari ST, Commodore 64, PC. Includes four-page tabloid newspaper. Common commands can be entered with icons. Travel to the _very_ strange town Tonetown to save your grandpa from a hideous creature named Snarl. Lord of the Rings [1991] Neuromancer [MCG, 1988/89, PnC, MUSIC] By Darryl Anderson. For Amiga, Commodore 64. "Based on William Gibson's cyberpunk novel. It's all about hacking into computer bases and upgrading your internal software. It is an RPG but with a lot of adventure elements, though the control system isn't too sophisticated (but it's great fun, anyway)." Star Trek: Judgement Rites [IG] L. A. Enterprises: ***************** Gypsum Cave [CG] By Brian Wagner. For C64. Written in BASIC. Appalingly bad. Worst programming and vocabulary you're bound to come across for a long time. In two parts. Seems to be about treasure hunting. Lankhor: ******* Maupiti Island [IG, 1990, PnC, MUSIC] By Sylvien. For Amiga. "French detective mystery set around a tropical island." Larsoft: ******* Company formed by Geoff Larsen. He wrote his games with The Quill on the BBC Micro. He later went on to write for Robico. Witchwood By Geoff Larsen. For BBC. "Based on legends of standing stones, particularly the Rollright Stones." The Puppet Man By Geoff Larsen. For BBC. "A puppet-maker makes such good puppets people believe they're actually alive. Then one goes missing. Mother of the muses offers to help you find it/him/her if you help her out." Hex By Geoff Larsen. For BBC. "Witchcraft in a cornish village in 1902." This game has "real-time". Legend: ****** Valhalla [MCG] Very graphical adventure with pictures of all locations and a lot of small stickmen walking around and doing things. For Commodore 64, Spectrum 48K. It was mostly written in BASIC and very slow. Legend Entertainment Company: **************************** A spin-off company from Infocom. Distributed by MicroProse. Spellcasting ------------ Spellcasting 101: Sorcerers Get All the Girls [BG (can play text-only), 1990] By Steve Meretzky. For PC. Spellcasting 201: The Sorcerer's Appliance [BG (can play text-only), 1991] By Steve Meretzky. For PC. Spellcasting 301: Spring Break [BG (can play text-only), 1992] Steve Meretzky. For PC. Miscellaneous ------------- Timequest [1991] By Bob Bates. For PC. Gateway [1992] By Mike Verdu, Michael Lindner and Glen Dahlgren. For PC. Eric the Unready [1992] By Bob Bates. For PC. Gateway II: Homeworld [1993] By Mike Verdu and Glen Dahlgren. For PC. Companions of Xanth [1993] Level 9 Computing: ***************** An English company that produced over a dozen adventure games, available for a wide variety of machines (Spectrum 48K, Commodore 64, Acorn BBC B, Enterprise 64, Memotech MTX-512, NASCOM, Nimbus, Oric 48K, Spectravideo 328, MSX, Amiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS, Amstrad). Distributed by Rainbird. At least for a while, they had the service of sending out clue sheets for their games for free. I know I had them for Colossal Adventure and Snowball and perhaps something more. They used their own system to create their games, one up to Knight Orc and another one from that and onwards. Level 9 was more or less a family business for the main authors. Early Games =========== Verb-noun, 200+ locations. These games used a 32K virtual machine and text compresstion and were able to squeeze in a lot of text in a small amount of memory. The Middle-Earth Trilogy (later renamed The Jewels of Darkness) ------------------------ Colossal Adventure [TO/DG, 1983] By Mike Austin, Nick Austin and Pete Austin. For Amiga [DG, 1986], Amstrad [TO], Atari ST, BBC [TO], Commodore 64 [TO], Memotech MSX [TO], MS-DOS, NASCOM [TO], Oric 1 [TO], Spectrum 48K [TO]. This was an expanded version of the original Adventure by Crowther and Woods. At the start there was no mention of it being the first part of a trilogy. There seems to be a bug in the Amiga version, in the two-pit room, making the game impossible to solve. Adventure Quest [TO/DG, 1983] By Mike Austin, Nick Austin and Pete Austin. For Amiga [DG, 1986], Amstrad [TO], Atari ST, BBC [TO], Commodore 64 [TO], Memotech MSX [TO], MS-DOS, NASCOM [TO], Oric 1 [TO], Spectrum 48K [TO]. Dungeon Adventure [TO/DG, 1984] By Mike Austin, Nick Austin and Pete Austin. For Amiga [DG 1986], Amstrad [TO], Atari ST, BBC [TO], Commodore 64 [TO], Memotech MSX [TO], MS-DOS, NASCOM [TO], Oric 1 [TO], Spectrum 48K [TO]. The Silicon Dreams Trilogy -------------------------- The trilogy was released in 1986, although the games had been available separately before that. Snowball [TO/DG] By Mike Austin, Nick Austin, Pete Austin. For Amiga [DG], Amstrad [TO], Atari 8-bit [TO], BBC [TO], Commodore 64 [TO], Lynx [TO], Memotech MSX [TO], NASCOM [TO], Oric 1 [TO], Spectrum 48K [TO]. I don't think this was meant to be part one of a trilogy from the start either. Snowball had more than 7000 rooms. "You must stop the space ship Snowball, carrying thousands of colonists from crashing into its destination planet." Return to Eden [TO/DG, 1984] By Mike Austin, Nick Austin, Pete Austin. For Amiga [DG], Amstrad [TO], Atari 8-bit [TO], BBC [TO], Commodore 64 [DG], Lynx [TO], Memotech MSX [TO], NASCOM [TO], Oric 1 [TO], Spectrum 48K [DG]. Contained about 220 locations. The Worm in Paradise [TO/DG] By Mike Austin, Nick Austin, Pete Austin. For Amiga [DG], Commodore 64 [DG], Spectrum 48K [DG]. The Time and Magik Trilogy -------------------------- Lords of Time [DG/TO] By Sue Gazzard. For Amiga, Amstrad [TO], Atari 8-bit [TO], BBC [TO], Commodore 64, Lynx [TO], Memotech MSX [TO], NASCOM [TO], Oric 1 [TO], Spectrum 48K. Red Moon [DG, 1985] For Amiga, Commodore 64, Spectrum. The Price of Magik [DG, April 1986] For Amiga, Commodore 64, Spectrum. There were three different versions available for the Spectrum: A text-only version, a graphic version with reduced text, and a Spectrum 128K version with full text and graphics. Miscellaneous ------------- Emerald Isle [DG, 1985] For BBC Micro, Commodore 64, Spectrum. Treasure hunt on a small island. Erik the Viking [DG, 1984] For Commodore 64, Spectrum. Based on the book of the same title by Terry Jones (from Monty Python). The book was later filmed by him. The Archers Development by Level 9 Computing. See under Mosaic Publishing. The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 3/4 -- The Computer Game Development by Level 9 Computing. See under Mosaic Publishing. Later Games =========== Written with a new game engine called KAOS, which, although more powerful, reduced the size of the games. From now on, all their adventures feature "intelligent characters". Ingrid series ------------- Gnome Ranger [BG, 1987] For Amiga, Commodore 64, Spectrum. Divided into three parts. Gnome Ranger II: Ingrid's Back [BG, 1988] By Pete Austin, Peter McBride and Godfrey Dowson. For Amiga, Commodore 64. Divided into three parts. "Ingrid the Gnome has to save her village from an evil real estate guy." Gnome Ranger III: Gnome Free This game was never programmed and released, even though it was all written and designed. Others ------ Knight Orc [BG, 1987] For Amiga, Commodore 64, Spectrum, PC. Divided into three parts. "As Grindleguts, the orc, you are in an eternal battle with annoying NPCs killing each other on and off, as you try to discover what has happened to you. Medieval setting." Lancelot [BG, 1988] By Pete Austin and Mike Austin. For Amiga, Commodore 64. Divided into three parts. "You, as the legendary Lancelot, are out on a quest for the Holy Grail, and must, along the way, save imprisoned knights and damsels in distress!" ScapeGhost [BG, 1989] By Sandra Sharkey, Pete Gerrard and Pete Austin. Divided into three parts. "A police man, killed by criminals, returns from beyond the grave as a ghost, who has to overcome the troubles of ghost-dome, together with his ghost friends, in order to revenge his own death." The Logical Choice: ****************** Castles of Darkness [G, 1981] By Michael Cashen. For Apple II. Lothlorien: ********** Time Sanctuary Lucasfilm Ltd -- Games Division: ******************************* See LucasArts. LucasArts: ********* Originally, they were called Lucasfilm Ltd -- Games Division. At least some of their games are written with their adventure creation utility SCUMM. They are distributed by Activision, Inc. Labyrinth [BG, 1986, MUSIC] By David Fox et al. For Apple II, Commodore 64. Based on the film of the same name. The game has no facility for ordinary text input, instead you choose from two scrolling lists of words. Maniac Mansion [MCG, 1987, PnC, MUSIC] Design by Ron Gilbert and Gary Winnick. Text by David Fox. For Apple II, Commodore 64. Also available in German. Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders [MCG, 1988, PnC, MUSIC] Design by David Fox, David Spangler, Matthew Kane and Gary Winnick. For Commodore 64, PC. Also available in German. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade [G, 1989, MUSIC] Based on the movie. Also available in German. Loom [G, 1990, MUSIC] By Brian Moriarty and Marc Ferrari. For Macintosh, PC. Also available in German. The Secret of Monkey Island [G, 1990, MUSIC] By Ron Gilbert. For Amiga, Macintosh, PC. Also available in German. Monkey Island II: LeChuck's Revenge [MCG, 1992, PnC, MUSIC] For Amiga, PC, Macintosh. Also available in German. Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis [G, 1992, MUSIC] For Amiga, Macintosh, PC. Also available in German. It is based on four Dark Horse comic magazines. Maniac Mansion 2: Day of the Tentacle [G, 1993, MUSIC] For PC. Also available in German. Sam & Max Hit the Road The Dig By Brian Moriarty. Not yet released (as of Aug 1993). Uses a newly-developed point-and-click interface. LucasArts CD Contains The Secret of Monkey Island, Monkey Island II: LeChuck's Revenge and Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis. Macmillan: ********* They distributed Delta 4 Software. Mad Hatter Software: ******************* Greg Hasset wrote these text adventures from 1978 (when he was 12 years old) to 1981. They were quite popular at the time. These games are now in the public domain. BASIC adventures ---------------- These were written in BASIC on the TRS-80, and all of them were later printed in various books and magazine articles (and then "ported" to other computers like the VIC-20). Journey to the Center of the Earth [TO] By Greg Hassett. For TRS-80. House of the Seven Gables [TO] By Greg Hassett. For TRS-80. Voyage to Atlantis (aka Atlantis) [TO] By Greg Hassett. For TRS-80. Sorcerer's Castle [TO, 1979] By Greg Hassett. For Apple II, TRS-80. King Tut's Tomb [TO, 1979] By Greg Hassett. For Apple II, TRS-80. Enchanted Island [TO] By Greg Hassett. For TRS-80. Assembler adventures -------------------- These games were written in assembler on the TRS-80. Mystery Mansion [TO] By Greg Hassett. For TRS-80. Devil's Palace [TO] By Greg Hassett. For TRS-80. Curse of the Sasquatch [TO] By Greg Hassett. For TRS-80. World's Edge [TO] By Greg Hassett. For TRS-80. Enchanted Island Plus [TO] By Greg Hassett. For TRS-80. This is a re-write in assembler of his Enchanted Island. Compilations ------------ Adventure Disk SP2 For Apple II. Contains King Tut's Tomb and Sorcerer's Castle. Magnetic Scrolls: **************** An English company (1 Chapel Court, London SE1 1HH, England) that originally wrote adventure games with a very powerful (but sometimes unusually picky) parser, and very nice 16 colour hi-res pictures. The company was started in 1984 by Anita Sinclair and Ken Gordon who designed the parser, game engine and database format used. Since 1990 (Wonderland), they are using a new GUI called Magnetic Windows. Distributed by Rainbird up to 1989, then by Mastertronic until 1992, and after that by MicroProse. The Pawn [TO 1985/BG 1986] Story by Rob Steggles. Graphics by Geoff Quilley. For Amiga [BG], Atari ST [BG], Commodore 128 [G?], Commodore 64 [TO/BG], PC, Sinclair QL [TO], Spectrum 128K. Commodore 64 version in box with playing guide, poster and 60-page novella. The Guild of Thieves [BG, 1987] Story by Rob Steggles. Graphics by Geoff Quilley and Tristan Humphries. For Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum 128K. Jinxter [1987] For Amiga, Commodore 64, Spectrum 128K. Story by Rob Steggles? Corruption [G, 1988] Story by Rob Steggles and Hugh Steers. Graphics by Alan Hunnisett and Richard Selby. For Amiga, Commodore 64. Fish! [G, 1988] Story by John Molloy, Pete Kemp, Phil South and Rob Steggles. Graphics by Geoff Quilley, Alan Hunnisett, Chris Kent, Richard Selby and Tristan Humphries. For Amiga, Commodore 64, Spectrum 128K. Myth [G, 1989] Story by Paul Findley. Graphics by Geoff Quilley, Tristan Humpries and Chris Kent. For Amiga, Commodore 64. This is a short game that hasn't been released to the general public, but was given as a welcome present in the british adventure club Official Secrets. Wonderland [BG, 1990] Story by David Bishop. Graphics by Alan Hunnisett, Chris Kent, Geoff Quilley and Anna Williams. Music by Michael Powell. Programming by Bob Coles, Paul Findley, Ken Gordon, Richard Huddy, Steve Lacey, Doug Rabson, Anita Sinclair, Hugh Steers and Mark Taylor. For Atari ST, Archimedes, Amiga, PC. Package includes a 66-page instruction booklet, poster, map, quick reference guide and installation notes. Contains more that 100 pictures. Written with Magnetic Windows. Magnetic Scrolls Collection, Volume I [1991] Contains The Guild of Thieves, Corruption and Fish! remade using Magnetic Windows. The Legacy: Realm of Terror [1993] This is a Horror RPG from MicroProse that they have had a hand in developing. For PC. Mainframe adventures: ******************** Under this heading are found adventures that have originated on mainframe computers. In some cases they have then been converted to various other machines as well. Cambridge University, IBM 370 ----------------------------- Acheton [TO, 1978] By Jon Thackray, David Seal and Jonathan Partington. Large adventure in the Colossal Cave style. Also available on several other 370 compatible sites. Acheton predates most published adventures barring Colossal Cave (by which its authors were inspired) and Zork (the original Vax version). It has over 400 rooms and 200 objects. See under Acornsoft. Kingdom of Hamil [TO, 1980] By Jonathan Partington. Small adventure with some Mathematical bias. Also available on several other 370 compatible sites. See under Acornsoft. Brand X (later Philosopher's Quest) [TO, 1979] By Peter Killworth and Jonathan Mestel. Medium sized game. Also available on several other 370 compatible sites. See under Acornsoft. Quondam [TO, 1980] By Rod Underwood. "Quite difficult." See under Acornsoft. Monsters of Murdac [TO] By Jon Thackray and Jonathan Partington. "Small adventure." See under Topologika. Avon [TO] By Jon Thackray and Jonathan Partington. "Small Shakespearian adventure." See under Topologika. Hezarin [TO, 1980] By Steve Tinney, Alex Ship and Jon Thackray. "Large adventure in Colossal Cave style. You set out to free the land of Hezarin from the evil tyrant Anjith." See under Topologika. Fyleet [TO] By Jonathan Partington. Loosely based on the Dungeons & Dragons game. Quest of the Sangraal [TO] Parc [TO] Xenophobia [TO] Crobe [TO] Loosely based on the Dungeons & Dragons game. Nidus [TO] "Defeat the forces of Chaos!" Xerb [TO] "Bears a passing resemblance to a well-known TV program." Spycatcher [TO] Others ------ Adventure (aka Colossal Cave) [TO, early 1977] The Original adventure game. By Willie Crowther and Don Woods. Never commercially released in this version, although a lot of commercial adaptions of this game exists. The first version was written in Fortran which made it easy to convert it to new systems. Battlestar [TO, 1979] By David Riggle. Unix based. This may be part of the standard System V games distribution. FISK A really big, Zork-like game that started at an innocuous house like Zork and led to a big complex of rooms with treasures and bad guys. Haunt [TO, around 1980-84] For DEC (TOPS-20). Written in MDL (Muddle). It was similar to the original Adventure but set in a haunted house. It was non-commercial. LORD [TO, 1981] By Olli J. Paavola. Published by the Helsinki University of Technology. For DEC-20. Based on many of J.R.R. Tolkien's books, including The Lord of the Rings. I'm not sure if it is a commercial or a public domain game. It is extremely large. Lugi Written on a TOPS-20 called LOTS at Stanford University, California. Zork (aka Dungeon) [TO, late 1977-79] By Tim Anderson, Marc Blank, Bruce Daniels and Dave Lebling of the Dynamic Modelling Group in the MIT Artificial Intelligence Lab. Written in MDL (Muddle). For PDP-10 (ITS, TENEX, TOPS-20). Zork has been converted to most computer systems. Later split up in three parts and released commercially by Infocom. See under Infocom. Martech: ******* The Quest of Merravid [TO] For VIC-20 16K, Commodore 64. Written in BASIC. You must find the firestones (whatever that is!) and bring them back to their owners, the dwarves. Mastertronic: ************ They distributed Magnetic Scrolls (1989-1992) and Smart Egg Software. Se-Kaa of Assiah [G, 1984] By Clive Wilson and Les Hogarth. For Commodore 64. Divided into two parts. The Quest for the Holy Grail [1985] For Commodore 64. Zzzz [1985] Demon's Tomb Shades of Grey Med Systems Software: ******************** They were distributed by Screenplay and All American Adventures. Jymm Pearson ------------ These adventures are written using the same interpreter as the "Other Ventures"-series published by Adventure International. The Institute [TO/BG, 1981] By Jymm Pearson, Robyn Pearson and Norm Sailer. Graphics by Rick Incrocci. For Apple II, Commodore 64 [BG, 1983, MUSIC], TRS-80 [TO]. "You are a mental patient, and your primary action in the game is to get out of your cell, lock yourself in the medicine closet, and repeatedly shoot up with all sorts of hallucinogenic drugs. You spent most of the game lying on the floor, stoned out of your gourd." "Escape a lunatic asylum by eating some strange powder that will allow you to travel to Africa and Titanic, among other things, while getting your revenge over the man who locked you up." Lucifer's Realm [BG, 1982, music] By Jymm Pearson and Robyn Pearson. For Apple II, Commodore 64, TRS-80. I have also seen this as by American Eagle. After dying in a hospital, you go to hell and meet Hitler and other interesting persons on your way to the Devil, where you must ask to be returned to heaven! The Farvar Legacy [1983] By Jymm Pearson. The Paradise Threat By Jymm Pearson. For TRS-80. Others ------ Deathmaze 5000 [G] For TRS-80. Maze-based game. Labyrinth [G] For TRS-80. Maze-based game. ASYLUM [BG, 1985] By William F. Denman, Jr. Graphics by Michael O. Haire. For Commodore 64, TRS-80. Maze-based game. Asylum II For TRS-80. Only a small number of this ever got sold. "Superb." Maze-based game. Melbourne House: *************** British software company. Their Tolkien trilogy (Hobbit/LoTR/SoM) is infamous for numerous bugs. Distributed by Virgin Games. Joystick adventures ------------------- These were a combination of traditional text and scrolling graphics with a minimally animated figure that one moved around the screen. The parser only recognized the first two letters of each word. Zim Sala Bim Joystick-controlled man. Music. For Commodore 64. "Arabian Nights" setting. You must explore a palace and escape once you have found the gold. Grand Larceny For Commodore 64. Normal adventures ----------------- Hampstead [TO] By Trevor Lever and Peter Jones. For BBC, Commodore 64, Spectrum. You start at the bottom of the social ladder and have to work your way up to the top to Hampstead (one of the better areas in London) using any methods (lying, cheating, stealing). The Hobbit [DG, 1983/G, 1985] By Philip Mitchell and Veronika Megler. For Amstrad [1985], Commodore 64, MSX [1985], Oric-1, Spectrum 48K. Very good parser, vocabulatory and non-player characters for the time. Based on the book of the same name by J.R.R. Tolkien. An enhanced version (1985) had extra problems, additional text, larger vocabulatory and enhanced graphics and was available on disk for Apple, BBC, Commodore 64 (also included music), PC. Sherlock Holmes [DG, 1985, music] By Philip Mitchell. For Commodore 64, Spectrum 48K. This was a rather buggy game. Terrormolinos [G, 1985] Originally developed by Peter Jones and Trevor Lever with The Quill, but they had to write their game driver because The Quill was to weak. Roger Taylor was also involved in this somehow. For Commodore 64, Spectrum. Two-word parser. You are going on holiday to Torremolinos, but you have to do ten totally unusual photographs of the town to prove to your neighbours that you have been there. The Lord of the Rings: Game One (The Fellowship of the Ring) [DG, 1985] By Philip Mitchell. For Amstrad, BBC, Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum 48K. Pseudo-graphical adventure with a lot of different viewpoint characters to choose from. As far as I can remember, one had to change character now and then to solve the game. Very slow. Includes two cassettes, a large booklet and a paperback copy of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring. Shadows of Mordor [BG, 1987] By Philip Mitchell, et al. For Commodore 64, PC, Spectrum. Sequel to The Lord of the Rings: Game One. Based on Frodo and Sam's part in The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien. Crack of Doom [G, 1989] By Philip Mitchell et al. For PC. Based on Frodo and Sam's part in The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien. War in Middle Earth [G, 1989] For Apple IIGS. Demon's Tomb: The Awakening [1990] Classic Adventure [TO] By John Steele-Jones. For Commodore 64, Spectrum. A remake of the original adventure. Mordon's Quest [TO, 1985] By John Steele-Jones. For Commodore 64, Spectrum 48K. 150 locations, 500 words. "Viciously hard game." The Commodore 64 version was buggy, so that if you tried to solve the game you'd suddenly have all sorts of strange objects, leaving the game unsolvable. This bug can be eliminated by resetting the computer after loading the game and then restarting it by typing 'SYS 4828'. Castle of Terror [DG, 1984, music, animation] By Grahame Willis. For Commodore 64. Divided into two parts (the second one loaded automatically when you entered the castle; there was no turning back then). Had graphics for all rooms, but I don't think they were necessary in more than a few places. Infamous game (to my knowledge, no one has _ever_ managed to save the princess _and_ kill the count - but the discussion has gone on for years!) You volunteer to save a maiden in distress from the castle of a vampire count. Parser capable of commands such as: GET AXE AND LAMP AND PUT THEM IN SACK. Where Hobbits Dare [G] This was planned as a sequel to The Hobbit, but was never released. Dodgy Geezers By Peter Jones and Trevor Lever. It had a song track on the reverse side of the tape. Merry Christmas [BG,music (Jingle Bells!),animations, 1984] By Grahame Willis. For C64. Sent out around christmas 1984 to all of Melbourne House's business partners (I think). Fairly small game, but very cute, nonetheless. Help Santa deliver the christmas presents. Kwah? [BG,icons/text-interface] By Simon Price and Mike Lewis. For C64. Sequel to "Redhawk" (about the comic book hero). Comic strip graphics has the player following Redhawk as he tries to break into a huge mansion. Microdeal: ********* Williamsburg [TO] For Commodore 16. Mansion Adventure [TO] For Commodore 16. Micro Fun: ********* They were called Micro Lab up to 1984. Mad Venture [1981] For Apple II. Palace in Thunderland [1981] By Dale Johnson and Ken Rose. For Apple II. Death in the Caribbean [BG, 1983] By Philip Hess and Bob Hess. For Apple II, Commodore 64. MicroIllusions: ************** The Jetsons - George Jetson and the Legend of Robotopia [IG, 1989, PnC, MUSIC) By Robert and Michael McNally. For Amiga. Based on the Hannah-Barbera cartoon. Micro Lab: ********* See under Micro Fun. MicroProse: ********** They distribute Magnetic Scrolls (from 1992) and Legend Entertainment Company. Dark Lands The Legacy: Realm of Terror This is a Horror RPG that Magnetic Scrolls have had a hand in developing. For PC. Microsoft: ********* American company. See under Softwin Associates. Mikrogen: ******** The Witch's Cauldron [BG, 1985] For C64. An evil witch has transformed you into a frog. You must go through various shapes (fx. a monkey!) to become human again, with all the troubles it gives you. Milbus Software: *************** Hobbit -- The True Story [TO, 1993] By Fredrik Ramsberg and Johan Berntsson. For PC. It is shareware ($10), available from ftp.gmd.de, /if-archive/games/pc. It is a very good but extremely short parody of the Melbourne House game of the same name. It is written with BAT files. Mind Games: ********** The Desecration [1982] By Greg and Gil. For Apple II. Had three arcade games as part of the plot. Advertised as an "adventurecade". Mindscape, Inc: ************** American company (444 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062, (312) 480-7667). They distribute Angelsoft, Inc and ICOM Simulations, Inc. Brattacas [IG] By Psygnosis. For Amiga, Atari ST. This was a port of the unfinished Sinclair QL port of Bandersnatch, the unfinished Spectrum "MegaGame" Imagine Software was working on when it went bust in 1984. Sinclair Research was going to release the QL version, but apparently it fell through at the last minute and it appeared as Psygnosis' first ST game instead. Apparently, one could tell it was intended for the QL from the color palette (red/green/white/black) and the fact that it only used the middle 512 pixels of the screen (at least in the version shown at the 1985 PCW Show). Racter [1982, 84, 86] By Inrac Corporation. "As Eliza was an early computer program that simulates artificial intelligence, so Racter is a program that simulates artificial insanity [...] A program that interviews you, tells you stories and anecdotes, etc." Molimerx: ******** They distributed the Brian Howarth Mysterious Adventures Series. Mosaic Publishing: ***************** Mosaic specialize in "bookware" which is better described as interactive fiction than adventure. There is mainly narrative text with only occasional player interaction. Their games are programmed by Level 9 Computing and The Ram Jam Corporation. The Archers [G] By Level 9 Computing. For Commodore 64. Your goal is to write scripts to keep the audience ratings for the Archers soap opera up. The game is scripted by the real Archers scriptwriters in collaboration with Level 9 Computing. The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 3/4 -- The Computer Game [G] By Level 9 Computing. For Commodore 64, Spectrum. Divided into four parts. All input to the game is done by pressing 1, 2, 3 or 4. Twice Shy [BG] By The Ram Jam Corporation. For Commodore 64. Written with The Biro. The screen is divided into three parts, picture, location description and player interaction. Mountain Valley Software: ************************ Their games came out around 1984-85 and had (fairly) awful character graphics. There was rarely any plot or real aim of the adventure other than getting to the end. Most problems could be solved with either looking at something or moving it. Smuggler's Inn [CG] For Commodore 64. Written in BASIC. "Escape from a smuggler hideout." Number 9 Software: ***************** Beatle Quest [TO] For Commodore 64. "A real weirdo, it is based on the Beatles' songs." Ocean: ***** The Neverending Story [BG] For Amstrad, Atari, Commodore 64 (music), Spectrum. Divided into three parts. Hunchback - The Adventure [BG] For Commodore 64 (music). Divided into three parts. On-Line Systems: *************** See Sierra On-Line, Inc. Paragon Software Corporation: **************************** American company (600 Rugh Street, Greensburg, PA 15601, USA). Twilight's Ransom [G, 1987, 88] Penguin Software Inc: ******************** See PolarWare. Phoenix Software: **************** Adventure in Time [TO, 1981] By Paul Berker. Probably only for Apple II. Birth of the Phoenix [TO (?), 1981] By Paul Berker. Probably only for Apple II. "Tutorial adventure." Queen of Phobos [G, 1982] By Bill Crawford and Paul Berker. Probably only for Apple II. Sherwood Forest [G, 1981] By Dave Holle and Dale Johnson. Graphics by Rick Inrocci (?). Probably only for Apple II. Advertised as "Softoon #1" but it might have been the only one. Masquerade [BG, 1983] By Dale Johnson. Graphics by Rick Incrocci. For Apple II, Commodore 64. Distributed by All American Adventures. There was a $1000 prize for the first person to solve it. I have also seen this game as by American Eagle. Private eye is set up against knife-throwing bad guys and bombed hotels - as well as toilets for using bad language! - while exploring a zoo and more. Pixel Games: *********** Trader For Spectrum, ZX81. "Not really an adventure, more a graphical wander." PolarWare: ********* The company was called Penguin Software Inc until 1986. Oo-Topos, Transylvania, The Crimson Crown and The Coveted Mirror were originally published in 1981-83 and later reissued, rewritten with the adventure creator Comprehend. Oo-Topos [DG, 1986] See under Sentient Software. This was not bought from Sentient until at least 1984. Transylvania [G, 1981/1986] By Antonio Antiochia. For Apple II. Transylvania [DG, 1984] By John Niedfeldt, Jeffrey Jay and Kirk Hullison. For C64. Transylvania 2: The Crimson Crown The Coveted Mirror [G, 1983/1986] By Eagle Berns and Holly Thomason. Transylvania 3 For Apple IIGS. Talisman The Quest / Ring Quest [G, 1983] By Toler, Dallas and Rea. Xyphus [1984] By Skip Walker and Dave Albert. Frank and Ernest's Adventure [G] Based on the comic strip by Bob Thaves. Written with Comprehend. The Programmer's Guild: ********************** One of the members was Teri Li. Lost Dutchman's Gold For TRS-80. Spider Mountain For TRS-80. Death Dreadnaught For TRS-80. Domes of Kilgari For TRS-80. Protecto Enterprises: ******************** Cyberworld [G, meshed-in arcade games] For Commodore 64. Pryority Software: ***************** Forbidden Quest [G, 1984] By William Pryor and Donnel Cox. For Apple II. Psygnosis: ********* See under Mindscape, Inc. Quicksilva: ********** The Ring of Power [CG, sprites,1983] By F. J. Preston. For C64. Written in BASIC. Find a lot of treasures and the Ring of Power (wow!) The Thompson Twins Adventure [BG, 1984] By F. J. Preston. This was a floppy magazine cover record that you recorded on tape and then played. Smugglers Cove [G] For Spectrum. Velnors Lair [TO] For Spectrum. Radar Games: *********** British company. Confidential For Spectrum (and probably Amstrad and Commodore 64). Radio Shack: *********** Bedlam For TRS-80. Pyramid 2000 [TO] For TRS-80. Raaka-Tu [around 1980] For TRS-80. Rainbird Entertainment: ********************** Rainbird Entertainment was the top end of Firebird (see there). They distributed Magnetic Scrolls (until 1989) and Level 9. Legend of the Sword A very nice adventure game with a pretty good parser and an optional non-exhaustive graphical interface. You could do most things by selecting icons, menu items and lists, but not everything. Fantasy setting, get a magical sword and shield in order to allow killing the big bad guy. The Ram Jam Corporation: *********************** Valkyrie 17 [DG, 1985, music - Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyrie"] For C64, Spectrum. Player must escape his bill at a ski hotel and deal with killers left and right as he tries to steal the fabled jewel "Valkyrie 17" from a castle. The original tape featured a very entertaining audio recording on the b-side, follwing an agent tailing a nazi before getting killed (complete with gun shot and screams!). Three Days in Carpathia [G] For Commodore 64, Spectrum. Sequel to Valkyrie 17. Written with The Biro. This might not have been released. The Sock Written with The Biro. Tooth Affair; Chicago Written with The Biro. Shadow Warrior Written with The Biro. The Amulet Written with The Biro. Twice Shy Development by The Ram Jam Corporation. See under Mosaic Publishing. Revolution: ********** Distributed by Virgin. Lure of the Temptress [MCG, 1992, music, PnC) By Tony Warriner and David Sykes. For Amiga. Much talked-about adventure system allows the controlled person to give most characters in the game just about any order he can perform himself, like asking someone to go to a specific place, get a bottle, go fill it somewhere else and then giving it to someone. Also, all the npc's in the game have a life of their own, walking around and doing things by themselves. The problem is the plot, which is very linear, so you wind up just wasting your time looking for these other characters, who you really need, but who are probably off shopping or something else... An evil witch/sorceress has enslaved an entire town. You must escape from her prison and free the town. Richard Shepherd Software: ************************* Upper Gumtree [DG, 1984] By Pete Cooke. For C64. Once again, a mad professor is trying to conquer the world! This time, he has started by wrecking havoc on a small town - only you can stop him! Features some interactive characters (not up the Hobbit standard, though) Invincible Island [G] For Spectrum 48K. Devils in the Deep [G (3D)] For Spectrum 48K. Written in Basic. Transylvanian Tower [G (3D)] For Spectrum 48K. Riverdale Software: ****************** Suds [TO] Written with The Quill. American Suds [TO] Written with The Quill. Robico Software: *************** Assassin [TO] For BBC B. Over 220 locations. Includes adventurer's notebook. Runesoft: ******** Robyn Hoode For Spectrum 48K. Written with The Quill. Divided into two parts (finishing the first part gives you the password to the second). Paradox For Spectrum 48K. Written with the Quill. (2-3 futher games were released.) Saber Software: ************** Demon's Forge [G, 1983] By Brian Fargo. For Apple II, PC. Scandinavian PC Systems: *********************** Stugan (The Cottage) For PC. Written in Swedish. Scott Adams: *********** See Adventure International. SCR Adventures: ************** British company. Distributed by CDS. Castle Blackstar [TO] By Mark Shepherd and Mike Redman. For Commodore 64. Screenplay: ********** They distributed Med Systems Software. They were distributed by All American Adventures. Asylum [G, about 1983] For Commodore 64, Atari 400/800, PC. This game had both text input and scrolling 3D graphics. Scumbag Software: **************** Busted (Release 1) [TO] By Jon Drukman. For Advsys 1.2 interpreters. Freeware. Available from ftp.gmd.de. Sentient Software: ***************** Founded by Michael Berlyn. Oo-Topos [TO, 1981] By Michael Berlyn, Muffy Berlyn. Two-word parser. For Apple II, Commodore 64, PC/VGA. See under PolarWare. Cyborg [1981] By Michael Berlyn. For Apple II. This had an arcade game buried in it. Severn Software: *************** Moria [G] For Commodore 64, Spectrum 16K/48K. Based on "The Lord of the Rings". Sierra On-Line, Inc: ******************* American company (P. O. Box 485, Coarsegold (Oakhurst), CA 93614, USA) founded by Ken and Roberta Williams. The company was originally called On-Line Systems. They were distributed by All American Adventures. Early games ----------- Some of the games under this heading might belong in one of the other series. Softporn [TO, 1981] For Apple II. Later re-released with graphics as Leisure Suit Larry. Mickey's Space Adventure [1984 or later] By Roberta Williams. HiRes Adventures/Sierra Ventures -------------------------------- This series was published 1979-1982, and contained around ten games. The official numbering stopped after #4. 0: Mission Asteroid [DG, 1980] By Roberta Williams and Ken Williams. For Apple II, Commodore 64 [1983]. This was actually released after #1 and #2 but it was a tutorial adventure and as such it was given the low number. "Prevent an asteroid from hitting Earth and destroying it." 1: Mystery House [DG, 1980] By Roberta Williams. For Apple II. This was released into the public domain at Sierra's 10th anniversary (around 1987-88 (?)). This might have been the first graphical adventure written. The graphics were actually monochrome line drawings with stick figures for people but that didn't stop the game from being an instant success. 2: The Wizard and the Princess [G, 1980] By Roberta Williams. For Apple II, Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64, PC (as Adventures in Serenia). 3: Cranston Manor [G, 1981] By Harold DeWitz and Ken Williams. For Apple II. Unlike many others in this series, this one was NOT ported to Atari 8-bit. "Search the mansion of a late millionaire for sixteen treasures." 4: Ulysses and the Golden Fleece [DG, 1981] By Bob Davis and Ken Williams. For Apple II, Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64 [1984]. "As Ulysses you must travel ancient Greece in search of the golden fleece." 5: Time Zone [G, 1982] By Roberta Williams. For Apple II. This game took up 6 disks, both sides for the Apple II which was very big for the time. 6: Dark Crystal [BG, 1982] By Roberta Williams. For Apple II, Atari, PC. Later graphical games ===================== These games are more or less three-dimensional and have moving graphics with an image of yourself that you have to move around the screen to do things. Most (all?) of these are available for the Amiga. King's Quest Series ------------------- Kings Quest: Quest for the Crown [MCG, 1984, MUSIC] By Roberta Williams. For Amiga [1986], Apple IIGS, Atari ST, PC, PCjr. This was originally a demonstration product for the PCjr, commissioned by IBM. An "enhanced version" (meaning improved graphics) has been released for the Amiga, now taking up 4 disks instead of 1. Kings Quest II: Romancing the Throne [MCG, MUSIC] By Roberta Williams. For Amiga [1987], Apple IIGS (?), Atari ST, PC, PCjr. "King Graham is tired of being single and goes on a quest to a faraway land to save his bride-to-be, a beautilful woman held captive in a tower." Kings Quest III: To Heir is Human [MCG, MUSIC] By Roberta Williams and Al Lowe. For Amiga, Apple IIGS (?), Atari ST, PC. Kings Quest IV: The Perils of Rosella [MCG, 1988, MUSIC] By Roberta Williams. For Amiga [1989], Apple IIGS (?), Atari ST, PC. "After her father, King Graham, gets sick, Rosella is teleported to the land of Tamir by a good fairy in order to save the King and rid Tamir of an _evil_ fairy!" Kings Quest V: Absence Makes the Heart go Yonder! [MCG, 1990, MUSIC] By Roberta Williams. For Amiga [1991], Macintosh, PC/VGA. "The evil wizard Mordack casts a powerful spell on Grahams castle, making it (along with his whole family) vanish - literally! - into thin air. Now it's all up to you to bring them back." Kings Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow [MCG] For Macintosh, PC/VGA. Space Quest Series ------------------ Space Quest I: The Sarien Encounter [MCG, 1986, 87] By Mark Crowe and Scott Murphy. For Amiga, Apple IIGS, Atari ST, Macintosh, PC/VGA. Space Quest II: Vohaul's Revenge [MCG, 1987] By Mark Crowe and Scott Murphy. For Amiga, Atari ST, PC. Space Quest III: The Pirates of Pestulon [MCG, 1989] By Mark Crowe and Scott Murphy. For Amiga, Atari ST, PC. Space Quest IV: Roger Wilco and the Time Rippers [MCG, 1991, PnC, MUSIC] By Mark Crowe and Scott Murphy. For Amiga, Macintosh, PC/VGA. Space Quest V: Roger Wilco in the Next Mutation [MCG] For PC/VGA. Leisure Suit Larry Series ------------------------- Leisure Suit Larry I: In the Land of the Lounge Lizards [MCG, 1987] By Al Lowe and Mark Crowe. For Amiga, Apple IIGS, Atari ST, PC/VGA. This is a graphical re-release of the game Softporn. An "enhanced version" (meaning improved graphics) has been released for the Amiga, now taking up 4 disks instead of 1. Leisure Suit Larry II: Looking for Love (in several wrong places) [MCG, 1988] By Al Lowe. For Amiga, Apple IIGS, Atari ST, PC. Leisure Suit Larry III: Passionate Patti in Pursuit of the Pulsating Pectorals [MCG, 1989] By Al Lowe. For Amiga, PC. Leisure Suit Larry V: Passionate Patti Does a Little Undercover Work [MCG, 1992] (The author swore after completing part III that he would never write part IV.) For Amiga, Macintosh, PC/VGA. Leisure Suit Larry VI [MCG] For Macintosh, PC/VGA. Police Quest Series ------------------- This series is written by Jim Walls who is a police man in real life. Police Quest: In Pursuit of the Death Angel [MCG, 1987, MUSIC] By Jim Walls. For Amiga, Apple IIGS, Atari ST, PC/VGA. An "enhanced version" (meaning improved graphics) has been released for the Amiga, now taking up 4 disks instead of 1. "Sonny Bonds, cop in the Lytton police force, has to track down the Death Angel, a infamous drug dealer." Police Quest II: The Vengeance [MCG, 1988, MUSIC] By Jim Walls. For Amiga, Atari ST, PC. Police Quest III [MCG, PnC, MUSIC] By Jim Walls. Music by Jan Hammer. For Amiga, PC/VGA. Police Quest IV Police Quest: Open Season For Macintosh, PC/VGA. Quest for Glory Series ---------------------- Hero's Quest / Quest for Glory I: So You Want to be a Hero [MCG, 1989, MUSIC] By Lori Ann Cole. For Amiga, Macintosh, PC/VGA. This game was originally called Hero's Quest but this created copyright problems with Gremlin because of their licence for a board game. "Playing either as a thief, wizard or fighter, you mush enter the city of Spielburg to save the Baron's daughter (and perhaps gather a bit of treasure along the way!)" The Quest for Glory II: Trial by Fire [1990] By Lori Cole and Corey Cole. For Amiga, PC. The Quest for Glory III For PC/VGA. The Quest for Glory IV For PC. Quest for Glory: Shadows of Darkness For Macintosh, PC/VGA. Where do these go? ------------------ The Black Cauldron By Roberta Williams, Mark Crowe and Scott Murphy. For Amiga, PC. Mixed-up Mother Goose [1987, 90] By Roberta Williams. For PC/VGA. Gold Rush! [1988] By Doug MacNeill and Ken MacNeill. For Amiga. Manhunter: New York [1988] By Dave Murry, Barry Murry and DeeDee Murry. For Amiga. Manhunter 2: San Francisco [1989] By Dave Murry, Barry Murry, DeeDee Murry and Barbara Ward. For Amiga. Codename: Iceman By Jim Wall. For Amiga. The Colonel's Bequest [1989] By Roberta Williams. For Amiga. Conquests of Camelot [MCG, MUSIC] By Christy Marx. For Amiga, PC. "A love affair between the famous knight Lancelot and King Arthurs wife, Gwenhyver, has set off a series of disastrous events that has put Britain into despair. And now, three of the Round Table's most renowned knights have vanished. As Arthur, you must go on a long journey, taking you all the way to Arabia, to save the knights and find the Holy Grail." Jones in the Fast Lane [1990] For PC/VGA. Conquests of Long Bow: The Adventures of Robin Hood [1992] For Amiga, PC/VGA. Betrayal at Krondor [IG] By Raymond E. Feist. For PC/VGA. Laura Bow II: Dagger of Aman Ra For PC/VGA. Freddy Pharkas, Frontier Pharmacist For Macintosh, PC/VGA. Mixed-up Fairy Tales For PC/VGA. Castle of Dr. Brain For Amiga, Macintosh, PC/VGA. Island of Dr. Brain For PC/VGA. Rise of the Dragon [IG, 1990] By Jeff Tunnell et al. For Amiga, Macintosh (color), PC/VGA. Eco Quest 1 For PC. Mix between educational software and adventure. Eco Quest 2 For PC. Mix between educational software and adventure. Siliconsoft: *********** Legend of the Sword [BG, on-screep map, 1988] By Karl Buckingham. For Amiga. Sim Soft: ******** Napoleon's Sandwiches [TO] Written with The Quill (?). Divided into two parts. Simon and Schuster: ****************** Star Trek - The Kobayashi Adventure (Kobayashi Alternative?) [TO, 1985] For Apple II, Commodore 64. Simulmondo: ********** Dylan Dog - Through the Looking Glass [IG, 1992/93, PnC, MUSIC) By Davide Possamai and Gian Battista Ricardi. For Amiga. "Apparently based on some Italian comic book hero. Dylan Dog is a detective who must solve a mystery with a H. P. Lovecraft-flavour." Sinclair Research: ***************** See under Mindscape, Inc. Sirius Software: *************** Primarily an Apple II company. Kabul Spy [G, 1982] Tim Wilson. For Apple II. Escape from Rungistan [G, 1982] By Bob Blauschild. For Apple II. Blade of Blackpool [G, 1983] By Tim Wilson. For Apple II. Critical Mass [BG, 1983] By Bob Blauschild. For Apple II, Commodore 64. "Save the world from a nuclear threat." Gruds in Space [BG, 1983] By Chuck Sommerville and Joseph Dudar. For Apple II, Atari 800/1200, Commodore 64, PC. Sir Rah Software: **************** Severed Heads [BG, 1991, MUSIC] By Michael Zerbo. For Amiga. Written with TACL (The Adventure Construction Language). "Player explores a series of brutal murders linked to a new drug used in cryogenic surgery, in the 23rd century." Sir-Tech: ******** Crypt of Medea [G, 1984] By Arthur Britto and Allan Lamb. Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord [IG] For Apple II. Released in the early to mid eighties. This was the first game in a series of at least three. The Usurper: The Mines of Qyntarr [TO] Released some time around 1987. Smart Egg Software: ****************** British company. Distributed by Mastertronic and CRL Group PLC. Rigel's Revenge [1987] By Ron Harris, Nigel Brooks and Said Hassan. Federation [1988] The Quest for the Golden Eggcup [BG, 1988] By Harvey Lodder, Nigel Brooks, Simon Donstan and Said Hassan. For C64. Zany adventure in which you have been killed and gone off to God's palace. To be resurrected, you must find his golden eggcup (and solve a murder along the way) Softape: ******* Journey [TO, 1980 or earlier] For Apple II. Softgold: ******** Talkies - adventures that talk back to you ------------------------------------------ 1: Skull Island 2: Ninja Killer [CG,speech] For C64. Written in BASIC. Absolutely awful. Lousy parser, because lots of memory are wasted on a few lines of _really_ bad speech (too bad that you can hardly make the game say anything but "so sorry" - ARGH!) A ninja must recover a statue from his arch enemies. Softoon: ******* This was an advertising label for Phoenix Software. See there. Software 2000: ************* They distribute Weltenschmiede. Softwin Associates: ****************** Distributed by Microsoft and/or IBM. Microsoft Adventure [TO, 1979] By Gordon Letwin. For Apple II, PC (might have been for the PCjr originally). It is also copyrighted by IBM in 1981. It is a version of the original Adventure (they might have added a point for a total of 351). SophistiChaos Game Design: ************************* All these games are written with TADS. SophistiChaos Game Design can be contacted through Hans Persson (unicorn@lysator.liu.se) or Dominik Zemmler (dz@lysator.liu.se). The Cyberventure Trilogy ------------------------ Enhanced [TO, December 1993] By Hans Persson and Dominik Zemmler. Shareware ($10), available at ftp.gmd.de. The registered version includes a 12-page hint booklet and complete source code (TADS 2.1). Sensorer [TO] (Currently under development.) Icebreaker [TO] (Planned.) Southern Software: ***************** Afghan Attack [TO] For Spectrum 48K. Divided into two parts. Spinnaker: ********* They distributed Telarium Corporation. Starbyte: ******** Crime Time [IG, 1990, PnC, MUSIC] By P. Sabath. For Amiga. "Murder mystery set on a hotel." Summit Software: *************** See under Alpine. Sunshine Press: ************** The Eye of the Star Warrior [G] For Spectrum. Published in listing form in the book "Spectrum Adventures". The entire program is carefully explained. Superior Software: ***************** The Quest for the Holy Grail [G] By Thorne D. Harris III and Mark Hattier. For Apple II. Doom Valley [G] By Robert Grumbles and Nick Magnus III. For Apple II. Swescot: ******* Den stulna kungaspiran (The Stolen Sceptre) For Spectrum. Written in Swedish. Synapse Software: **************** American company (Richmond, CA), distributed by Br?derbund. They called their parsed BTZ (Better Than Zork). BTZ was designed and written by William Mataga. Mindwheel [TO, 1985] Story by Robert Pinsky. Programming by William Mataga and Steve Hales. For Apple II, Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64 (by Joe Vierra), PC. Came with a book of about 70 pages containing a story outlining what was going on in the game. "One of the best adventures ever released. Extremely large vocabulatory and advanced parser and a great story and puzzles. Almost rivals Infocom - almost!" Essex [TO, 1985] Story by Bill Darrah. Programming by Bill Darrah and William Mataga. For Apple II, Commodore 64 (by Joe Vierra), PC. Brimstone: The Dream of Gawain [1985] Story by James Paul. Programming by David Bunch, William Mataga and Bill Darrah. For Commodore 64 (by Joe Vierra), PC. Breakers [1985] Story by Rod Smith. Programming by Joe Vierra and William Mataga. For Commodore 64 (by Joe Vierra), PC. Ronin This might be unpublished. House of Changes This might be unpublished. Deadly Summer This might be unpublished. Taskset: ******* Souls of Darkon [BG, 1986] For C64. Telarium Corporation: ******************** American company (One Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, (617)494-1224). Up to 1984, the company was called Trillium. Some of their games are published on the "Windham Classics" label. They are distributed by Spinnaker. As Telarium ----------- Fahrenheit 451 [BG, 1984] By Len Neufeld and Byron Preiss. For Apple II, Commodore 64. Based on the novel of the same name by Ray Bradbury. "You are Montag, a fireman whose job it is to burn books, but instead you join a secret organization that tries to preserve books." Rendezvous with Rama [BG, 1984, MUSIC] By Ronald Martinez. For Apple II, Commodore 64 (2 disks). Package includes hint booklet and some maps. The game contains two action sequences that can be practiced with a special command. Based on the book of the same name by Arthur C. Clarke. "Explore the strange alien vessel Rama, complete with cities and some very extraordinary inhabitants." Amazon [BG, 1984, MUSIC] By Michael Crichton (Yes, he's the guy who wrote Jurassic Park). For Apple II, Commodore 64. This game contains two arcade sequences. "You must penetrate a South American jungle, along with your sidekick, the obnoxious parrot Paco, to find a lost city and discover why an entire expedition was killed." Dragonworld [1984-85] By Byron Preiss and Michael Reaves. Nine Princes in Amber [BG, 1985, MUSIC] Written by a group of about 20 people. For Commodore 64. Based on the books "Nine Princes in Amber" and "The Guns of Avalon" by Roger Zelazny. "Corwin, one of the Princes of Amber, must fight his brothers for power and travel from the real world into Amber." Perry Mason: The Case of the Mandarin Murder [G, 1985] By Erle Stanley Gardner and Paisano Prod. For Commodore 64. The Scoop [1989] Based on Agatha Christie. Shadowkeep Based on Alan Dean Foster. For Apple II, Commodore 64. Starman Jones Based on Robert A. Heinlein. This might be unpublished. The Grand Adventure Based on Philip Jose Farmer. This might be unpublished. As Windham Classics ------------------- Below the Root [1984] Story by Zilpha Keatley Snyder. Program by Dale Disharoon. Artwork by Bill Groetzinger. Partial map included in the package. Treasure Island [BG, music, 1985] By Ann Weil and Lee Jackson. For C64. Follows Stevenson's classic fairly close. Swiss Family Robinson [1984-85] Alice in Wonderland [1984-85] The Wizard of Oz [G, 1985] For Apple II, Commodore 64, PC. Terminal Software: ***************** British company. Magic Mirror [TO, 1982 (?)] By Mike Taylor. For VIC-20 (8K expansion). Nosferatu [TO, 1982 (?)] By Mike Taylor. "The most enduringly interesting thing about this game is a bug: I forgot to take out the debugging code before sending the final version off to Terminal: the result is, anyone could type "i= 5" to teleport to location 5! (The verb was called "i=" because the "which location I'm in" number was stored in the variable "i".)" Topologika Ltd: ************** A number of the games here were originally published by Acornsoft but their authors took the games to Topologika when Acornsoft decided not to publish adventure games and converted them for other computers. This company is still present (1 Roman Way, Peterborough, PE7 3RU, England, +44 733 244682). Small here means up to around 150 locations, large means over 400, medium means in between. Underlying system design: David Seal and Jon Thackray. Implementation for Archimedes, BBC, Electron and Master: David Seal and Jon Thackray. Implementation for Amstrad, PC and Spectrum: Richard Clayton (Locomotive Software Limited). Implementation for Atari: David Turner. The Doom trilogy (Science Fiction adventure) ---------------- Countdown to Doom See under Acornsoft. Expanded by about 50% when republished by Topologika. For Amstrad CPC/PCW, Archimedes, Atari ST, BBC, Electron, Master, Nimbus, PC, RISC OS, Spectrum +3. Return to Doom [TO, 1988] By Peter Killworth. For Amstrad CPC/PCW, Archimedes, Atari ST, BBC, Electron, Master, Nimbus, PC, RISC OS, Spectrum +3. Last Days of Doom [TO] By Peter Killworth. For Amstrad CPC/PCW, Archimedes, Atari ST, BBC, Electron, Master, Nimbus, PC, RISC OS, Spectrum +3. Miscellaneous ------------- Acheton See under Acornsoft. For Amstrad CPC/PCW, Archimedes, Atari ST, BBC [1980], Electron, Master, Nimbus, PC, RISC OS, Spectrum +3. Kingdom of Hamil See under Acornsoft. For Amstrad CPC/PCW, Archimedes, Atari ST, BBC, Electron, Master, Nimbus, PC, RISC OS, Spectrum +3. Philosopher's Quest See under Acornsoft. For Amstrad CPC/PCW, Archimedes, Atari ST, BBC, Electron, Master, Nimbus, PC, RISC OS, Spectrum +3. The Acornsoft version was a cutdown of the original, the Topologika version is the full thing. Monsters of Murdac See under Mainframe adventures. For Amstrad CPC/PCW, Archimedes, Atari ST, BBC, Electron, Master, Nimbus, PC, RISC OS, Spectrum +3. Avon See under Mainframe adventures. For Amstrad CPC/PCW, Archimedes, Atari ST, BBC, Electron, Master, Nimbus, PC, RISC OS, Spectrum +3. Hezarin See under Mainframe adventures. For Amstrad CPC/PCW, Archimedes, Atari ST, BBC, Electron, Master, Nimbus, PC, RISC OS, Spectrum +3. SpySnatcher [TO, after 1985] By Jon Thackray, Jonathan Partington and Peter Killworth. For Amstrad CPC/PCW, Archimedes, Atari ST, BBC, Electron, Master, Nimbus, PC, RISC OS, Spectrum +3. "Whodunnit adventure in MI7. Can you track down the mole leaking secrets to Ruritannia?" Giant Killer [TO, about 1985] By Peter Killworth. Mathematical adventure for secondary education. For Amstrad CPC/PCW, Archimedes, Atari ST, BBC, Electron, Master, Nimbus, PC, RISC OS, Spectrum +3. Trillium Corporation: ******************** See Telarium Comporation. Tynesoft: ******** Tynesoft was a british company that started by doing distribution for Mike Woodroffe. They also provided the artists for Elvira 1 & 2 (see under Horrorsoft). They went bust around the time that Elvira 2 was released. They distributed Horrorsoft. Super Gran: The Adventure [BG, 1985] By Brian Howarth and Mike Woodroffe. For Commodore 64. Based on a TV series (probably sponsored by a cereal company) about a granny who gets super powers when eating oat meal while battling her arch rival Campbell. Lone Survivor By Brian Howarth Spectrum 128K starter pack Contained Blizzard Pass among other things, later sold separately by Adventure Soft UK (see there). U. S. Gold: ********** See under All American Adventures. Ultrasoft: ********* American company. They originally marketed their games themselves, but were later distributed by Br?derbund Software. Mask of the Sun [BG, 1984, MUSIC] For Apple II, Commodore 64. Also available in German as Das Geheimnis der Aztekenmaske. "The search for an Aztek artifact known as Mask of the Sun has the player exploring Mexican pyramids and more." The Serpent's Star [BG, 1983, MUSIC] By Scott Shumway. For Apple II, Commodore 64. Sequel to Mask of the Sun. "Indiana Jones-like hero hunts three ancient scrolls in Tibet." Usbourne: ******** The Mystery of Silver Mountain Island of Secrets For Commodore 64, VIC-20 16K. Published as a book in listing form. Will also work on Commodore 16, but this machine is not listed on the book. Victory Software Corporation: **************************** American company. Grave Robbers [G] For Commodore 64, VIC-20. This game claims to be the first graphic adventure written for the VIC-20. Adventure Pack I ---------------- Moon Base Alpha [TO] For Commodore 64, VIC-20. Computer Adventure [TO] For Commodore 64, VIC-20. Big Bad Wolf [TO] For Commodore 64, VIC-20. Adventure Pack II ----------------- African Escape [TO] For Commodore 64, VIC-20. Hospital Adventure [TO] For Commodore 64, VIC-20. Written by a medical doctor. Bomb Threat [TO] For Commodore 64, VIC-20. Virgin Games: ************ They distribute Melbourne House. Virgin Mastertronic Ltd: *********************** Virgin Mastertronic Ltd, 116 Portland Road, London W11 4LA, England. I suppose someone has bought someone else here. See Virgin Games and Mastertronic. Jacob Weinstein: *************** (jacobw@phoenix.princeton.edu) Modernism [TO] By Jacob Weinstein. A tiny adventure version of Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett. Written in TADS. Save Princeton v1.99 [TO, 1991] Plotted by Jacob Weinstein and Karine Schaefer. Implemented by Jacob Weinstein. Written in TADS. Shareware $10. Weltenschmeide: ************** Die Kathedrale and Hexuma are a bit buggy: sometimes you get descriptions for the wrong room; some commands sometimes claim that objects from your inventory don't exist while others work on them. Das Stundenglas [G, circa 1988] In German. Die Kathedrale [G, circa 1990] Hint book available separately. Inspired by Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose. "The puzzles are very hard and clues are very hard to find: you have to examine each and every noun mentioned in all the long descriptions given everywhere; this is the only way to get a new description which may contain a noun that gives another description that may lead to a vital clue not available otherwise. Other clues are hidden in a 50 pages long, complicated history of the cathedral, which you have to learn more or less by heart to get the right associations when you come upon something in the game." In German. Hexuma [G, 1992 or 1993] Hint book available. In German. (CD) Contains Das Stundenglas, Die Kathedrale and Hexuma. Windham Classics: **************** See Telarium Corporation. Various companies: ***************** 221B Baker Street Aardvark [TO] Non-commercial game for Unix. Adventure Twinpack I don't know what's in this. For Atari ST. Africa Gardens For Commodore 64. Alpine Encounter Amnesia Released in the mid 1980s for the BBC in the form of a program listing in a magazine. It was also available on disk, probably from the magazine distributors. Written with AdventureScape. See Xanadu. Bilbo (v2.0) [G, 1989] By Nils Eng. For PC. Public domain game from Computer Club Sweden's PD library. It is based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. It is written in Swedish. "Not very good but quite different." Available from ftp.gmd.de. Black Sanctum [TO] For Dragon. Bugsy Malone C.I.A. Adventure [TO, 1983] By Hugh Lambert & Martin Sprave. For C64. Recover a ruby from a secret government project. Crystals of Carus By Richard Dawson, graphics by Claire Challis, music by Tom Gibson. For Commodore 64. The Curse Curses [TO] By Graham Nelson (nelson@vax.ox.ac.uk). Written in Z-code with Inform. Available at ftp.gmd.de. Devil's Island Dracula's Castle Ecoquest For PC. Ecoquest 2 For PC. Fabulous Wanda [G (some arcade game-like sequences)] For Commodore 64. Forest at World's End The Fourth Protocol For Amstrad, Commodore 64 (?). Giant World Goblin Towers [TO] For C64. Above-average treasure hunt inspired by Zork and Colossal Adv. Gordon Saga The Great Archaeological Race Infinite Inferno [G] By S. Hugemark and P. Henningsohn. For Commodore 64. Jerusalem 2 Jewels of Babylon Die Karawane der siebten Dynastie [G, 1993] Shareware. Written in German. Freeware demo version of first fifth available from ftp.gmd.de. For PC. Kentilla [DG] For Commodore 64, Spectrum. "superb" Klantz and the Dark Forces Lapis Philosophorum Might be available in German only. Legend of Kyrandia For Amiga, PC. Lifeterm [BG, 1987] By C. A. Sharp. For C64. GAC'ed. In the year 3142, you are sentenced for murder and must spend the rest of your life taking care of a garbage planet - or...? Lord of the Rings [TO, 1981] For TRS-80, Video Genie. Lord of the Rings [TO, 1984?] For Microbee. The publishers of this game did not have any rights from the Tolkien estate. Lords of Karma [TO, 1983/84] For C64. Macbeth Message from Andromeda Mindbender By Paul Styles. For Commodore 64. Mormonoids from the Deep By Robert Carr. For Macintosh. Written with World Builder. "You're in Mormonville, on the ninth day of a bender, sobering up, with one sixpack left and a car that's out of gas. Your weapons are a suitcase-sized nuclear device, a Colt 45, two fists, and two feet. Arrayed against you are the 'townsfolk.' There's the Angel Moroni, the Holy Ghost, and little Molly Mormon, plus others whose zenophobia makes them truly a force to be reckoned with. Kinky Marie, for instance, is Marie Osmond's psychotic twin sister, who has been locked in a closet for the last seventeen years and in naturally eager to get out. Meanwhile, Beowulf Hernandex, an El Salvadorian death squad leader and CIA hitman, wants to speak to you about that beer truck you wrecked ten miles out of town on your desperate search for booze. In order to survive, you have to battle these bozos while searching for gas so that after you arm the suitcase nuke, you can drive your car out of town to escape the blast, as Mormonville is reduced to rubble." The Paradox Effect A straightforward text adventure with a very simple parser. "Based on time travel, although I didn't see any time-based puzzles." Phantom of the Opera For PC. Pilgrim For Commodore 64. The Quest [TO] By A.D. Ives. For C64. Find the creator of Earth and reunite him with his source of power. Quest of Garnath [TO] For C64. Written in BASIC. A sorcerer must travel through a world filled with magic to find the treasure of late Lord Garnath. Ring of Darkness Robot Odyssey I For Apple II, PC (?). Robots Runefall For Commodore 64. Sagan om ringen (The Lord of the Rings) [TO, 1984] For Commodore 64. Third prize winner in "Swedish Adventure Game Championship", held by a Swedish computer magazine. The game was completely finished but never released. Secret Agent The 7th Guest For PC. Shifting Sands [TO] By David R. Moffatt. For C64. Written with AdventureWriter. Might be PD. You have magically been transported to Egypt and must explore a pyramid. Skyland [TO] Sundog [G] For Atari ST, Apple II. The Tebbit [TO, not released] By the author of Dennis through the Drinking Glass. A parody on The Hobbit. It was supposed to have a 'political' spoof slant. Just before it was due to be released, there was a bombing of the conservative party conference in Brighton (early eighties), and the game was not released because it was thought to be in 'bad taste'. Theseus and the Minotaur [TO] By Anthony Collins. For C64. GAC'ed. According to the Greek legend, you must seek out and kill the Minotaur in this two-parter. Along the way, you must also prove your heritage to your father, the king of Athens. Time Quest Token of Ghall [CG] For Commodore 64. As far as I can remember, this was a truly awful game. Tomb of Xeiops [TO] For Commodore 64. Top Secret For Atari ST. Treasure Hunter Tripods Troops For Commodore 64. Uncharted Waters For PC. Urban Upstart [DG] By P. Cooke (?). For C64. Virus In Swedish. For VIC-20. Wild West For Commodore 64. Witch Hunt [TO, 1987] By Jack Lockerby. For C64. Quill'ed. An evil witch abducts you from your cosy cottage to a mysterious world. How can you return? World [TO] By Doug McDonald. Public domain. Wyld Distributed by All American Adventures. Xanadu Released at approximately the same time as Amnesia, also for the BBC and set in the mystical land of Xanadu. It was almost certainly written by the same person/team. Written with AdventureScape. Zauberland Public domain game. In German. Available from ftp.gmd.de. (unknown title) [TO] For Apple II. "This game had an Alice in Wonderland theme and was very hard (though fair) since everything is subject to Looking-Glass logic. At one point in the game you are heading east along an east-west road. You come to a fork in the road. You can go northeast, southeast or back west. Northeast and southeast lead to useful locations, but if you type 'get fork', you get a silver fork and the road now leads straight east to a new location." Thanks to: --------- Paul David Doherty (h0142kdd@rz.hu-berlin.de) for his old list of adventure games and an infinite number of answers. Fredrik Ekman (d91fe@pt.hk-r.se) for a list of Tolkien-related games (not only adventures). Phil Goetz (goetz@cs.buffalo.edu) for a very interesting article on interactive fiction. Nathan Torkington (Nathan.Torkington@vuw.ac.nz) for another list of adventure games. Alan Cox (anarchy@sugalaxy.swan.ac.uk) for information on Adventure International UK. Jon Thackray (jont@harlequin.co.uk) and Jonathan R. Partington (pmt6jrp@leeds.ac.uk) for information on mainframe adventures, Acornsoft and Topologika. Robert A. Pelak (pelak@msc.cornell.edu) for going through Softalk magazine from 1980 to 1984 and contributing lots of information on Apple II games. Jacob Gunness (jgunn@diku.dk) for immense amounts of information about Commodore 64 and Amiga games. Hundreds of others have also contributed to this list, either directly by mail or by posting information on news. I have decided to give up trying to list all contributors, or else I will end up with a list of contributors that is as long as the game list. I hope no-one feels left out because of this. Thank you all!