Adventureland - The guide to interactive fiction This file contains information about adventure games and the companies that made them. If you have more information on any of the games in the list or if you find errors or omissions in the file, please let me know. Adventureland was created by Hans Persson Stefan Meier adventureland@if-legends.org This version created Mon Sep 8 19:55:34 2003 Adventure Game Types I'm trying to categorize the games a little. So far the system is as follows: Text only (TO) No pictures (of course). Graphics (G) Some kind of graphics. This category is used when I know that a game had graphics but I don't know what type. Please let me know if you can help me categorize games from this category better. Character graphics (CG) Pictures made up of characters. Generally horrible, but not uncommon for a while. Drawn graphics (DG) Pictures drawn for each room as you enter it. Bitmap graphics (BG) Static high-resolution pictures. Interactive graphics (IG) This category is a bit difficult to define. Uninvited (ICOM) goes here, anyway. I'd like to get rid of this category, so if you can tell which other category games in this category fit in I'd appreciate it. Moving character graphics (MCG) These games have a graphical representation of yourself that you move around the screen. Examples are later Sierra games and LucasArts games. Point-n-Click (PNC) This means that you control the game by pointing at things with the mouse, choosing alternatives from menus or something similar. 3D (3D) These are games with a first-person 3D view of the world (like Doom, Quake, and similar action games). Text input (TEXT) 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. Multiple choice (CHOICE) This means that the game is controlled by choosing actions from a list or menu instead of entering text freely. Sound (SOUND) This means that the game features some kind of sound that isn't music. Music (MUSIC) This means, of course, that the game contains some kind of music score. Video clips (VIDEO) This means that the game features full-motion video. 3P Soft Juanito en Busca de su Beloncito Runs on: * Spectrum Notes: In Spanish. ====================================================================== Aardvark Aardvark produced a series of arcade games apart from their adventures. Trek Adventure Type: TO Written by Robert J. Retelle in Basic. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * OSI[8K] * ZX81[16K; Extended Basic] * TI-99/4A * TRS-80[16K] * TRS-80 Color[16K] * VIC-20[13K] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Derelict Type: TO Written by Rodger Olsen and Bob Anderson in Basic. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * OSI[8K] * ZX81[16K; Extended Basic] * TI-99/4A * TRS-80[16K] * TRS-80 Color[16K] * VIC-20[13K] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pyramid Type: TO/CG Written 1984 by Rodger Olsen in Basic. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * OSI[8K] * PC * TI-99/4A * TRS-80[16K; Model I and III.] * TRS-80 Color[16K; And 16K MC-10.] * VIC-20[13K] * ZX81[16K; Extended Basic] Comments: Find treasures in an old pyramid. Truly awful game. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Mars Type: TO/G Written by Rodger Olsen in Basic. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * OSI[8K] * ZX81[16K; Extended Basic] * TI-99/4A * PC * TRS-80[16K] * TRS-80 Color[16K] * VIC-20[13K] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Paranoids Anonymous Type: TO Written in Basic. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * OSI[8K] * ZX81[16K; Extended Basic] * TI-99/4A * TRS-80[16K] * TRS-80 Color[16K] * VIC-20[13K] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Escape from Mars Type: TO Written by Rodger Olsen in Basic. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * OSI[8K] * ZX81[16K; Extended Basic] * TI-99/4A * TRS-80[16K] * TRS-80 Color[16K] * VIC-20[13K] Notes: This might be the same game as Mars. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Nuclear Sub Type: TO/SOUND Written 1980 by Robert J. Retelle in Basic. Runs on: * TRS-80 Color ====================================================================== A & B Computing Magazine The adventure creation system AdventureScape was published in this magazine. Xanadu was the first game for that system. They later added functionality to the system and allowed games to read their data from disk files so the games could get bigger. Amnesia was the first game written for that new, larger system. Graham West (graham@theramp.net) later used the concepts of AdventureScape for his own adventure authoring system on the Acorn Archimedes. He wrote a new parser and reworked the puzzle logic system to add extra conditions and actions. All the code was new but the ideas came from AdventureScape. That system was published as an A & B Computing Magazine cover disk in early 1992. Amnesia Written mid-1980s in AdventureScape. Runs on: * BBC Notes: Released as a program listing in a magazine. It was also available on disk, probably from the magazine distributors. It was almost certainly written by the same team as Xanadu. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Xanadu Written mid-1980s in AdventureScape. Runs on: * BBC Comments: Set in the mystical land of Xanadu. ====================================================================== Abersoft They were located at 7 Maes Afallen, Bow Street, Dyfed SY24 5BA, Wales. Homepage: http://www.abersoft.demon.co.uk/ Adventure 1 Type: TO Written 1982. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] * ZX81[16K] Comments: Yet another version of "Colossal Cave." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Adventure Type: TO Written 1984. Runs on: * Commodore 64 Comments: Yet another version of "Colossal Cave." ====================================================================== Abstract Concepts They were started as a "serious adventures" label by Delta 4 Software in 1987. They were located at Abstract Concepts, c/o Mediagenic/Activision, 23 Pond St, London NW3 2PN, UK. They are distributed by Activision, Inc. Mindfighter Type: G Written 1988 by Anna Popkess [game design and book] and Fergus McNeill [programming]. Runs on: * Amiga * Amstrad PCW * Atari ST * Commodore 64 * PC * Spectrum[128K] Notes: At least the Amstrad, Commodore 64 and Spectrum versions of this came with a 160-page book written by Anna Popkess, a player's guide and a poster. Package blurb: Far away from the Gulf crisis, oblivious to the uproar of current affairs, four people stand over the inert body of an eleven year old boy. First there had been the nightmares, the visions, shattering his life. They had watched, not understanding, as he had become gradually more and more withdrawn. And now, finally, this. Robin had entered a trance from which he was unable to wake. His mind had wandered too far, beyond even their reach. They were all involved in parapsychological research, but none of them had seen anything like this before. And Robin's mind, lost somewhere... how was he going to return? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Goodnight Cruel World Written by Anna Popkess. Package blurb: Set towards the end of the 20th century, and features a computer operator, John Schultz, whose girlfriend Val walks out of their apartment in New York's Chinatown are after a row. Sha vanishes, and the police suspect John. This is bad news for him as by this time New York is a police state, as it tries to clamp down on gang warfare and drug dealing. John begins a search for Val to prove his innocence, and this leads him to uncover all kinds of crime and corruption in the Big Apple. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Parsian Knights Written by John Popkess. Package blurb: This deals with the adventures of a French secret service agent between the two world wars, named Monsieur Phillip Groucy. ====================================================================== Access Software The writer of the Tex Murphy series, Chris Jones, is also the executive vice president of Access Software. Homepage: http://www.accesssoftware.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Adventure Countdown Tex Murphy The writer of the Tex Murphy series, Chris Jones, also stars as Tex Murphy in games 3-5. The series was inspired by Chris Jones' "The Singing Detective" (1987), a short, tongue-in-cheek screenplay about Tex Murphy, a space ace who was a cross between Roy Rogers and Humprey Bogart. This screenplay was never produced. * 1: Mean Streets Type: MCG/PNC/SOUND Written 1989 by Chris Jones. Notes: Very similar to LucasArts games like Maniac Mansion and Zak McKracken. * 2: Martian Memorandum Type: MCG/PNC Written 1990. Notes: Very similar to LucasArts games like Maniac Mansion and Zak McKracken. * 3: Under a Killing Moon Type: 3D/VIDEO/PNC Written 1995 by Chris Jones and Aaron Conners. Notes: This was the first game to require four CDs. The game is divided into seven chapters (days). * 4: The Pandora Directive Type: 3D/VIDEO/PNC Written 1996 by Chris Jones and Aaron Conners. Notes: Starring Chris Jones (Tex Murphy), Kevin McCarthy (Gordon Fitzpatrick), Bill Bradshaw (Archie Ellis), Aaron Conners (Dag Horton), Tanya Roberts (Regan Madsen) and more. It has two different game levels (Entertainment and Game Players), three different paths (Mission Street, Lombard Street, Boulevard of Broken Dreams -- which path you follow depends of certain decisions you take in certain time) and six endings. It is divided into ten chapters (days). * 5: Overseer Type: 3D/VIDEO/PNC Written 1998. Notes: This was the first game released in DVD format and the first to require eight CDs. Either the information about eight CDs is wrong or there are two different versions, since another person has told me he has the game on five CDs. Countdown Type: MCG/PNC Written 1990. Runs on: * PC Notes: Cross between adventure and action. Very similar in interface to the first two Tex Murphy games. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Amazon: Guardians of Eden Type: MCG/PNC Notes: Cross between adventure and action. Similar to Countdown. ====================================================================== Acclaim Distribution Inc They were located at One Acclaim Plaza, Glen Cove, New York, 11542, USA. They distribute Pulse Entertainment Inc. ====================================================================== Accolade Homepage: http://www.accolade.com/ Law of the West Type: BG/MUSIC/CHOICE Written 1985 by Alan Miller, Mini Doggett [graphics] and Ed Bogas [music]. Runs on: * Apple II * Commodore 64 Notes: The package contains one disk and a small instruction booklet and a folding "quick start" card. The entire game is played with a joystick. Comments: 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. Package blurb: If you've ever wanted to strap on a six-shooter, pin a tin star to your chest and match the exploits of a Bat Masterson or Wyatt Earp, then Law of the West is your chance. Hardcase Gunslingers You're going to need true grit, and then some, to play it. Because as the Sheriff of Gold Gulch - as tough a Wild West town as there ever was you'll have all you can do to survive 'til sundown. Standing in your way will be all manner of hardcase gunslingers, desperadoes and dry gulchers looking to rob the town bank, run roughshod over innocent townspeople and plant you in Boot Hill. So, like Masterson in Dodge City and Earp in Tombstone, you'll be forced to face one challenge after another threatening both your authority and your life. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Third Courier Type: PNC/MUSIC Written 1989 by Carol Manley and Ivan Manley. Runs on: * Amiga * Apple IIGS * Atari ST * PC * Tandy Comments: Set in the cold-war Berlin, where you as an agent have to hunt a missing suitcase stolen from the KGB/terrorists. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Altered Destiny Type: MCG/MUSIC Written 1990 or 1991 by Michael Berlyn. Runs on: * Amiga * PC[VGA] Notes: The game comes with a manual and a code wheel. It was available in two different package types. The first was a two-piece box, the second a one-piece box that opened at the top. Comments: 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 Type: MCG Written 1990 by Steve Cartwright. Runs on: * Amiga * PC[VGA] Comments: Office clerk Les Manley is, as a competitor of a certain L. Laffer, a typical office nerd on a quest to meet babes and The King. Package blurb: Want more? Get Les! He finds his clothes at K-Mart. He finds his dates at Radio Shack. Now he's out to get rich quick by finding out the greatest entertainment of all time. Follow mild mannered Les Manley as he rocks 'n' rolls across America in search of big bucks, beautiful babes and... The King. * Recognizes over 1,500 words. Even good ones. * Animation so lifelike your hips will gyrate. * Help Les try to impress the stunning Stella Hart. * Over 70 bit-mapped screens make this one heavy game. * Hot music. Hot colors. Hot dang. * A game filled with engaging puzzles and felt paintings. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Les Manley, Lost in L. A. Type: G Runs on: * PC[VGA] Notes: Icon-based user interface. This is a sequel to Les Manley in: Search for the King. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Don't Go Alone ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Conspiracy ====================================================================== Acme Software Altair 4 Type: TO Written 1984 by K. Suddick. Runs on: * Commodore 64 Comments: 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 Type: TO Written 1982 by Peter Killworth. Runs on: * BBC Comments: 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. Package blurb: You set off from Earth in your one-man ship, and are soon orbiting Doom. Doomawangara -- *Doom* for short -- with its weird climate that varies from desert to jungle, glacier to swamp; the home, aeons ago, of the Ancients, whose crumbling dwellings at last begin to show up on your scanners, their images giving you the feeling that they're watching you -- not the other way round. Doom, famed across the Galaxy as a *potentially* lucrative source of income, its surface littered with crashed treasure ships, rapidly corroding in the intensely volatile atmosphere. *Only those known as adventurers would dare to land.* You make one more pass over the enticing planet, wondering if *you* have the courage. The decision is made for you when your ship comes under a sudden and violent attack that sends it tumbling out of control until it hits the surface with a force that could have killed you. You pick yourself up and survey the wreckage, knowing that both you and your ship are well and truly *doomed* unless you can find the spares to repair it in time... GAME SIZE: *Medium.* RATING: *Medium.* For more information, see Topologika Ltd. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Acheton Runs on: * BBC[1980] For more information, see Mainframe adventures and Topologika Ltd. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kingdom of Hamil Runs on: * BBC For more information, see Mainframe adventures and Topologika Ltd. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Philosopher's Quest Written 1982 by Peter Killworth. Runs on: * BBC Notes: This game had the most evil and unfair first puzzle of all time. The Acornsoft version of this, Killworth's first text adventure, sold 25.000 copies. Package blurb: Peter's best-selling adventure sees you wishing you hadn't waved that old magic wand you found in the junk shop off Market Street. For when you did, the atmosphere turned inside out, taking you with it. And when it turned back again, the shop -- and the shopkeeper were no more... GAME SIZE: *Compact, but with unexpected twists.* RATING: *Difficult.* For more information, see Mainframe adventures and Topologika Ltd. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sphinx Adventure Type: TO Runs on: * BBC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Castle of Riddles Type: TO Runs on: * BBC Notes: 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. It had an incredibly unfair maze. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Quondam Runs on: * BBC[early 1980s; By Peter Killworth.] For more information, see Mainframe adventures. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Seventh Star Type: TO Runs on: * BBC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Gateway to Karos Type: TO Written 1983 by D. L. Haslam. Runs on: * BBC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Spooky Manor Runs on: * BBC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Mini Runs on: * BBC Notes: Only available in a compilation with Caves and Roman. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Caves Runs on: * BBC Notes: Only available in a compilation with Mini and Roman. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Roman Runs on: * BBC Notes: Only available in a compilation with Mini and Caves. ====================================================================== Activision, Inc Activision have released the Infocom games in more different compilations than I care to list at the moment. Homepage: http://www.activision.com/ Email: activis@netcom.com. They distribute Infocom, Interplay Productions, LucasArts and Abstract Concepts. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Alter Ego Written 1985 (?) by Dr. Peter Favaro. Runs on: * Apple II * Commodore 64 * Macintosh * PC Comments: The player could assume different characters. There was a male and a female version of this. You'd play an entire life, from birth to death. Portal Type: IG Written 1986 by Rob Swigart and Brad Fregger. Runs on: * Amiga * Apple II * Commodore 64 * Macintosh * PC Notes: It was translated to a novel. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Lost Treasures of Infocom I Runs on: * Macintosh * PC Notes: 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 Type: G Written 1992 by Steve Meretzky. Runs on: * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Lost Treasures of Infocom II Runs on: * Macintosh * PC Notes: 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). Zork These are modern graphical games set in the Zork universe from the original Zork games by Infocom. * Return to Zork Type: G Written 1993 by William D. Volk (wvolk@activision.com) et al. Runs on: * PC * Zork: Nemesis Type: G Runs on: * Macintosh * PC Notes: Comes on 3 CDs. Package contains an Alchemy book and a CD booklet. Package blurb: In a desolate corner of the Underground Empire. An evil demon torments the land. Evil rules the forbidden lands. Here, the souls of the Empire's greatest alchemists lie in perpetual hell... at the hands of Nemesis... uncover the mystery behind the Nemesis' curse... discover the ancient secret of alchemy that will free the trapped souls from evil's grip... * Zork: Grand Inquisitor Type: G Runs on: * PC * Zork: The Undiscovered Underground Type: TO Runs on: * PC * Zork Anthology Written 1994. Runs on: * Macintosh * PC Notes: Includes Zork I, Zork II, Zork III, Beyond Zork, Zork Zero, and Planetfall. The package includes installation manual, maps, and large glossy 240-page info and hint book for the included games. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Text Adventure Masterpieces Runs on: * PC[MS-DOS/Windows 3.1/Windows 95] * Macintosh Notes: Compilation of Infocom games (Arthur, Ballyhoo, Beyond Zork, Border Zone, Bureaucracy, Cutthroats, Deadline, Enchanter, Hollywood Hijinx, Infidel, Journey, Leather Goddesses of Phobos, Lurking Horror, Mind Forever Voyaging, Moonmist, Nord & Bert, Planetfall, Plundered Hearts, Seastalker, Sherlock, Sorcerer, Spellbreaker, Starcorss, Stationfall, Suspect, Suspended, Trinity, Wishbringer, Witness, Zork I, II, III and Zork Zero). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Spycraft: The Great Game Type: VIDEO Written 1996 by William Colby and Oleg Kalougin. Runs on: * PC Notes: Comes on three CDs. Package contains a thick jewel case booklet and a reference card. Package blurb: Danger and deception in the new world order. International Intrigue, collaborated on by William Colby, former CIA Director and Oleg Kalugin, former KGB Major General. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Santa Fe Mysteries: The Elk Moon Murder Written by Shannon Gillian and Sam Egan. Runs on: * Macintosh * PC Notes: Comes on a CD with a jewel case size instruction book. Comments: Murder Mystery with Native American overtones - race against the clock. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Santa Fe Mysteries: Sacred Ground Type: VIDEO Written 1996 by Shannon Gillian and Sam Egan. Runs on: * Macintosh * PC Notes: Comes on two CDs. Comments: Murder Mystery with Native American overtones. ====================================================================== Addison-Wesley For more information, see Melbourne House. The Antagonists Written by Hal Renko, Sam Edwards and Hermie Hermens. Runs on: * Commodore 64 Notes: Package includes a diary and a hex listing of the adventure. A tape of the program could be bought separately. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Hobbit Type: G Written 1985. Runs on: * Apple II * PC Notes: This was available in two different package styles, an earlier book-style package that included a manual and a copy of the Tolkien novel of the same title. It also has the text "Melbourne House" on the cover, so it's probably safe to assume that this is a port of Melbourne House's The Hobbit. This version is dated October 1985. The later version does not include the novel. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Fellowship of the Ring Runs on: * Apple II * PC Notes: The second printing of this is dated November, 1987. This is probably a port of the Melbourne House game of the same title. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Shadows of Mordor Runs on: * Apple II * PC Notes: Based on "The Two Towers", the second part of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy. This is probably a port of the Melbourne House game of the same title. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Crack of Doom Notes: Based on "Return of the King", the third part of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy. This is probably a port of the Melbourne House game of the same title. ====================================================================== 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. Email: dmb@ai.mit.edu. Unnkulian Unventure 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. * Unnkulian Underworld: The Unknown Unventure (v3.01) Type: TO Written 1990-1991 by David A. Leary. Runs on: * TADS Notes: Shareware US$10. * Unnkulian Unventure II: The Secret of Acme (v3.0) Type: TO Written 1992 by David M. Baggett. Runs on: * TADS Notes: Shareware US$10. * Unnkulia One-Half: The Salesman Triumphant (v1.0) Type: TO Written 1993 by David A. Leary. Runs on: * TADS Notes: Freeware. * Unnkulia Zero: The Search for Amanda (v1.0) - Demonstration version Type: TO Written 1993 by David A. Leary. Runs on: * TADS Notes: Freeware. * Unnkulia Zero: The Search for Amanda (v1.0) Type: TO Written 1993 by David A. Leary. Runs on: * TADS Notes: Commercial. * Unnkulian Unventure III Type: TO Written by Chris Nebel. Runs on: * TADS Notes: Work in progress. Commercial. * Unnkulian Unventure IV Type: TO Runs on: * TADS Notes: Work in progress. Commercial. Unnkulian Universe Unventure These games occur in the future of the Unnkulian world and are set in a science fiction environment. * The Legend Lives! Type: TO Written by David M. Baggett. Runs on: * TADS Notes: Scheduled for 1994. Commercial. * Ulien Type: TO Written by David A. Leary. Runs on: * TADS Notes: Work in progress. Commercial. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Colossal Cave Revisited (v1.0) Type: TO Written 1993 by David M. Baggett. Runs on: * TADS Notes: A remake of Crowther and Woods' original adventure. Released with complete TADS source code. Freeware. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Horror of Rylvania - Demonstration version Type: TO Written 1993 by David A. Leary. Runs on: * TADS Notes: Freeware. The Horror of Rylvania Type: TO Written 1993 by David A. Leary. Runs on: * TADS Notes: Commercial. ====================================================================== Adventure International General Founded by Scott Adams (msadams@msadams.com) in 1979. The Adventure International games are mainly verb-noun, but had exciting plots and were well-designed. 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. 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. At least some of the games were originally written in BASIC. Some of the games were released for the Exidy Sorcerer computer, but I don't know which ones. The Basic versions of Adventureland (date?) and Pirate Adventure (December 1980) were printed in Byte Magazine in an article by Scott Adams. When Adventure International went bankrupt in 1985, the copyrights for the games were part of the bankruptcy proceedings and were taken over by the bank. Meanwhile those licenses expired and all rights went back to Scott Adams. On 1997-11-24, Scott Adams put the games up for download as shareware from his own homepage. Adventure International once ran big adverts featuring Scott Adams' picture begging people to send in game ideas. "We want to publish your software!" Doesn't sound like a company about to go bankrupt... Scott Adams is currently (January 1996) rewriting Adventureland in a new interpreter for Windows 95. A beta version of this was distributed in late 1999. Then finally in August 2000 he published a new game: "Return To Pirate's Island 2". The classic games are available on his website as a free download. Platform-specific information The TRS-80 driver was written by Scott Adams, while the Apple II and Commodore 64 drivers were written by Mak Jukic. Brian Howarth later wrote another Commodore 64 driver, as well as a Spectrum one that was used with a lot (all?) of these games. The interpreter used depended a lot upon who released the game. Packaging information The original packaging from around 1978-1980 of the SAGA games features a cover art sheet with some assorted brochures and loading sheets sealed in a polybag with a cardboard strip across the top. The bags all hung on hooks on the store shelves. The original cheapish looking watercolour artwork were done by "Peppy". In 1981, the cover sheet polybag packaging was replaced (all games in this packaging have a 1981 copyright on the front, even though the game might be released some other year). All the games up to 1983-1984 (with the exceptions of the VIC-20 and TI-99/4A releases, which were repackaged by those respective companies) came in 8.5" x 5.5" folders designed to look like paperback books. The middle is a piece of styrofoam either with a cutout slot for the cassette or a glued-on sleeve for the disk. The front and back cover with the artwork is a piece of thin cardboard glued around the spine of the styrofoam. The original text games featured the "manual" simply typed on the inner front and sometimes back flap of the cardboard. The SAGA releases came with their own separate instruction booklet titled Scott Adams' Graphic Adventure Instructions. It was generic and applied to all the SAGAs for that particular platform. Nothing more than a registration card was included on either of these releases. The cover art is the same as for the polybag packaging. Sometime later, the packaging changed again and the games were marketed in plastic clamshell cases with picture inserts (like for video releases, but smaller - 6.5" x 9"). The front artwork is the same (even though these are SAGA games), although the logos have been moved around a bit. For instance, the screenshots are pictured on the front at the bottom, rather than at the back on the top, the SAGA logo has been moved to the bottom centre rather than in the upper right, etc. The back cover of the insert is completely different. These packages don't have library stamps like the styrofoam games, but they were probably the last versions released. The inserts are all copyright 1982, when the SAGAs were first introduced. Some of the clamshell releases include a generic "Scott Adams' Graphic Adventure Instructions" book, same as from the styrofoam games. Also includes the bonus hint sheet, warranty card, "Need a Backup Disk?" mail in card where you can purchase an additional disk of the game for $4.99, and a small "Do You Write Microcomputer Software?" advertisement designed to look like a floppy disk. Some of the styrofoam versions came with diddly ads like this stuff too. They distribute Howarth, Brian and Chameleon Software. For more information, see Alternate Source, The. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Pirate Island 2 Type: TO/G Written 1999 by Scott Adams. Package blurb: Finally after a 15 years break, Scott Adams has released a new game. There is no package blurb, so find some notes from his website instead: Imagine a world where your imagination replaces your senses. A world full of sea, sand, pirates and treasure ! You wake up in a boat, not knowing your purpose, but as you find your sea legs and begin to explore, many tasks are unraveled. Solve the various puzzles and use your wits to conquer the mysteries of the island. The original adventure master is back with his best creation yet, "Return to Pirates Island 2". A fun game that will appeal to the whole family. Your goal:To collect a set of *treasures*, some hidden well and some hidden, well ... right in front of your nose! Visit exotic locales, find sunken treasure, work with the crusty old pirate, put up with obstinate sea creatures and even learn to really hate alarm clocks! Yes, that Scott Adams sense of humor is back too! Scott Adams Classic Adventures These games were rereleased in 1982 with graphics [BG] as Scott Adams Graphic Adventures (SAGA). From the box of the later graphical releases: When You Sit Down To a Scott Adams' Graphic Adventure... Anything Can Happen As the name implies, the Scott Adams Graphic Adventures are the classic Adventures which have been enhanced with exciting graphics -- graphics which colorfully depict your voyage into wonderment each and every step of the way. Each Adventure challenges the player to accumulate points, crack a mystery or accomplish a goal using the unique tools of Adventuring: two-word commands, some common sense and a little ingenuity. If you've never played an Adventure, you couldn't have found a better place to begin. And if you're an experienced Adventurer prepare for a magical encounter unlike any other. Remember: Anything can happen when you play a Scott Adams Graphic Adventure ... and it usually does! All the original twelve adventures were released in four Value Packs. Kim Schuette's "Book of Adventure Games" (1984) acknowledges that all twelve in four packages were released. Strangely, it also says that only the first three up to that point had been released as SAGAs with graphics and the others were slated for up-and-coming release with graphics. That's a two-year span between releasing the first three and the last nine? The TI-99/4A games were distributed by Texas Instruments. The user first had to purchase a ROM cartridge called "Adventure" which came with the disk or cassette of adventure #2, "Pirate Adventure". The other titles required this ROM cartridge to run, but were sold separately. * 0: Adventureland Demo Type: TO Written 1979 by Scott Adams in Scott Adams database. Notes: This is called "Special Sampler" on the back and on the cassette. The package is similiar to the original version of Adventureland except the artwork is done in blue-tone instead of colour, and all the green and blue in the AI logo is changed to plain white, to differentiate from the full Adventureland, probably. It's the only retail demo from AI I know of, although demos of other soon-to-come games generally popped up on the SAGA releases, along with a very funny introduction from a very hi-res Scott Adams informing us why we shouldn't accept pirated software---because they might lose sales and go bankrupt! Package blurb: Never tried ADVENTURE? This special inexpensive sampler complete with 3 Treasures is a cut-down version of our large Adventureland. Guaranteed to supply hours of enjoyment: Try an ADVENTURE today! * 1: Adventureland Type: TO/BG Written 1978 by Scott Adams in Scott Adams database. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit[Text only/Bitmap graphics] * BBC[Text only] * Commodore PET * Commodore 64 * PC * Spectrum * TI-99/4A[Text only; Released by Texas Instruments] * TRS-80[Model I and III.] * VIC-20[ROM; as 'Adventure Land'] Notes: 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. Comments: Ordinary treasure hunting. Package blurb: You wander through an enchanted world trying to recover the 13 lost treasures. You'll encounter wild animals, magical beings, and many other perils and puzzles. Can you rescue the Blue Ox from the quicksand? Or find your way out of the maze of pits? Happy Adventuring... * 2: Pirate Adventure (aka Pirate's Cove) Type: TO/BG Written 1978-1979? by Scott Adams and Alexis Adams in Scott Adams database. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit[Text only/Bitmap graphics] * BBC[Text only; By Brian Howarth and Cliff Ogden.] * Commodore PET * Commodore 64 * PC * Spectrum * TI-99/4A[Text only; Released by Texas Instruments] * TRS-80[Model I and III.] * VIC-20[Text only; ROM; as 'Pirate's Cove'] Notes: The source code for Pirate's Adventure was published in the December 1980 issue of Byte Magazine. It consisted of a Basic program that implemented the "adventure virtual machine" and several thousand numbers, bytes of data that formed the "virtual machine language instructions" for the actual Pirate's Adventure. After this, adventure writers started to figure out how the game was created and started to create their own adventures using the same design. The same thing had happened before when the source code for Dog Star Adventure was published a while before. Comments: Explore an island and find the pirates' treasure. Package blurb: 'Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum...' You'll meet up with the pirate and his daffy bird along with many strange sights as you attempt to go from your London flat to Treasure Island. Can you recover Long John Silver's lost treasures? Happy sailing, matey... * 3: Mission Impossible / Impossible Mission / Secret Mission Type: TO/G Written 1979 by Scott Adams in Scott Adams database. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit[Text only/Bitmap graphics] * BBC[Text only] * Commodore Plus/4 * Commodore 64 * PC * Spectrum * TI-99/4A[Text only; Released by Texas Instruments] * TRS-80[Model I and III.] * VIC-20[ROM; as 'Mission Impossible Adventure'] Notes: Originally and at least through 1982, this game was called Mission Impossible. Then it was renamed Impossible Mission for a while and finally became Secret Mission. It also seems to be available under the name "Atomic Mission", at least for Commodore 16 and Commodore Plus/4. The clamshell release has picture inserts that are embedded and not removable. It has three different inserts -- front, back, and spine. The game is mostly billed as Mission Impossible, however an embossed gold "Secret Mission" was stuck over the plastic above the front insert where "Mission Impossible" was. The spine insert was not covered up and the disk is labeled "Mission Impossible". Pretty rushed way to change a name. There is a synopsis on the back but another embossed gold label was stuck over it "Bonus! Hint Sheet Enclosed". Package blurb: Time is of the essence as you race the clock to complete your mission - if you fail, the world's first automated nuclear reactor is doomed. So, tread lightly and don't forget your bomb detector! If you survive this challenging mission, consider yourself a true Adventurer. * 4: Voodoo Castle Type: TO/G Written 1980? by Alexis Adams in Scott Adams database. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit[Text only/Bitmap graphics] * BBC[Text only; By Brian Howarth and Cliff Ogden.] * Commodore 64 * PC * Spectrum * TI-99/4A[Text only; Released by Texas Instruments] * TRS-80[Model I and III.] * VIC-20[ROM] Package blurb: Count Cristo has had a fiendish curse put on him by his enemies. There he lies, with you his only hope. Will you be able to rescue him or is he forever doomed? Beware the Voodoo man... * 5: The Count Type: TO/G Written 1981 by Scott Adams in Scott Adams database. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit[Text only/Bitmap graphics] * BBC[Text only; BBC B] * Commodore 64 * PC * Spectrum * TI-99/4A[Text only; Released by Texas Instruments] * TRS-80[Model I and III.] * VIC-20[ROM] Notes: This was the first Scott Adams game that used time as an important element of play. It takes place over a three day/three night cycle. The package includes a User's Guide that is very similar to the generic AI instruction sheets, but has a different cover. Includes warranty card, along with the "Need a Backup Disk?" and "Do You Write Microcomputer Software?" adverts. The clamshell release has picture inserts that are not embedded, not removable. It's also one sheet rather than three. It has no hint sheet. Package blurb: You wake up in a large brass bed in a castle somewhere in Transylvania. Who are you, what are you doing here, and WHY did the postman deliver a bottle of blood? You'll love this ADVENTURE, in fact, you might say it's Love at First Byte... * 6: Strange Odyssey Type: TO/G Written 1981? by Scott Adams in Scott Adams database. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit[Text only/Bitmap graphics] * BBC[Text only; By Brian Howarth and Cliff Ogden.] * Commodore 64 * PC * Spectrum * TI-99/4A[Text only; Released by Texas Instruments] * TRS-80[Model I and III.] Package blurb: Marooned at the edge of the galaxy, you've stumbled on the ruins of an ancient alien civilization complete with fabulous treasures and unearthly technologies. Can you collect the treasures and return or will you end up marooned forever? * 7: Mystery Fun House / Fun House Mystery Type: TO/G Written 1981 or earlier by Scott Adams in Scott Adams database. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit[Text only] * BBC[Text only] * Commodore 64 * PC * Spectrum * TI-99/4A[Text only; Released by Texas Instruments] * TRS-80[Model I and III.] Notes: Originally and at least through 1983 named Mystery Fun House. It turned out there was an actual place called Mystery Fun House and they were upset. Package blurb: Can you find your way completely through the strangest Fun House in existance, or will you always be kicked out when the park closes? * 8: Pyramid of Doom Type: TO/G Written 1981? by Scott Adams and Alvin Files in Scott Adams database. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit[Text only] * BBC[Text only] * Commodore 64 * PC * Spectrum * TI-99/4A[Text only; Released by Texas Instruments] * TRS-80[Model I and III.] * 9: Ghost Town Type: TO/G Written 1981? by Scott Adams in Scott Adams database. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit[Text only] * BBC[Text only] * Commodore 64 * PC * Spectrum * TI-99/4A[Text only; Released by Texas Instruments] * TRS-80[Model I and III.] * 10: Savage Island, part 1 Type: TO/G Written 1982? by Scott Adams in Scott Adams database. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit[Text only] * BBC[Text only] * Commodore 64 * PC * Spectrum * TI-99/4A[Text only; Released by Texas Instruments] * TRS-80[Model I and III.] * 11: Savage Island, part 2 Type: TO/G Written 1982? by Scott Adams and Russ Wetmore in Scott Adams database. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit[Text only] * BBC[Text only] * Commodore 64 * PC * Spectrum * TI-99/4A[Text only; Released by Texas Instruments] * TRS-80[Model I and III.] * 12: Golden Voyage Type: TO/G Written 1982? by Scott Adams and William Demas in Scott Adams database. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit[Text only] * BBC[Text only] * Commodore 64 * PC * Spectrum * TI-99/4A[Text only; Released by Texas Instruments] * TRS-80[Model I and III.] * 13: Sorcerer of Claymorgue Castle Type: TO/BG Written 1984 by Scott Adams in Scott Adams database. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit[Text only/Bitmap graphics] * BBC[Text only] * Commodore 64 * Dragon * PC * Spectrum * TRS-80 Notes: The Dragon version of this can not be finished due to an interpreter bug. There are two graphics versions of this for the C-64: a disk-based American one (using Phil Case's SAGA+ driver, the same one as in Buckaroo Banzai and the US version of Fantastic Four) and the UK one with Howarth's interpreter. Package blurb: Long ago, in times passed beyond remembrance, Solon the Master Wizard and wearer of the Secret Cloak lost the 13 Stars of Power. The grasping Vileroth believed the Stars to be the only source of Solon's expert wizardry. But, unbeknownst to Vileroth, it was the Secret Cloak that controlled the Stars and protected the wearer from their awesome powers. Unable to master the Stars, Vileroth was undone. In his final days, as Vileroth's strength slipped from him, he concealed the 13 Stars of Power within the Castle of Claymorgue, determined that no one save he should possess them. Solon, learning of Vileroth's destruction, despatches his faithful young apprentice Beanwick to retrieve the Stars. "Tread carefully, O Beanwick! Would that I could assume this quest myself, but alas, I can only send with you these few spells. Claymorgue Castle harbors further spells, but beware -- one unskilled in the arts cannot predict their outcome." * 14: Return to Pirate's Island Type: TO/BG Written 1983 by Scott Adams in Scott Adams database. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit * BBC[Text only] * Commodore 64 * PC * Spectrum * TI-99/4A[Graphics; Released by Texas Instruments. This came on a standalone cartridge (no disk or cassette). It featured color graphics. It is also available (at least in a test version prior to the release of the cartridge version) on disk.] * TRS-80 * The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Type: TO/BG Written 1985 by Scott Adams, Phillip Case and Kem McNair [graphics] in Scott Adams database. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit[Bitmap graphics] * BBC[Text only; By Brian Howarth.] * Commodore 64 * PC * Spectrum * TRS-80 Notes: Based on the 20th Century Fox movie The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension. Comments: Buckaroo Banzai, a neurosurgeon, rock star and more, must try to fix a jet car that can drive him into the 8th dimension. * Value Pack Type: TO Written 1984. Runs on: * TRS-80 * TRS-80 Color Notes: This is a compilation cassette featuring #4 Voodoo Castle, #5 The Count and #6 Strange Odyssey. The cover shot is of shrunken-down versions of the original (ugly) cover art for the three games. No instructions printed on the cardboard at all. I suppose there are Value Packs for all the first 12 Classic Adventures. * Cartridge Triple Pack Runs on: * Commodore 16 * Commodore Plus/4 Notes: This contains Strange Odyssey, Atomic Mission (presumably Mission Impossible under a different name), and Pirate Adventure. This had a recommended retail price of £29.85. Questprobe The adventures in this series features characters from Marvel Comics. The original plan was to create a series of twelve games, each accompanied by a comic.Marvel Comics published three issues in its Questprobe series. The fourth comic starring the X-Men was already finished and was published years later in another series called Marvel Fanfare. Adventure International went out of business while game number four was being written. * 1: The Hulk Type: BG Written 1984 by Scott Adams in Scott Adams database. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit[Text only/Bitmap graphics] * BBC[Text only] * Commodore 16 * Commodore 64 * PC * Spectrum * TRS-80 * 2: Spiderman Type: BG Written 1984 by Scott Adams and Al Milgrom [art] in Scott Adams database. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit[Text only/Bitmap graphics] * Atari ST * BBC[Text only] * Commodore 16 * Commodore 64 * Commodore Plus/4 * PC * Spectrum * TRS-80 Comments: Peter Parker, aka Spiderman, must defeat all of his most dangerous enemies: Sandman, Mysterio etc. * 3: Fantastic Four (Human Torch & The Thing) Type: BG Written 1985 by Scott Adams in Scott Adams database. Runs on: * Amstrad[Bitmap graphics] * Apple II * Atari 8-bit[Bitmap graphics; Disk] * Atari ST * BBC[Text only] * Commodore 16 * Commodore 64[Bitmap graphics] * Electron[Text only] * PC[Bitmap graphics] * Spectrum[Bitmap graphics] * TRS-80 Notes: 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. * 4: X-Men Notes: This game was never released, but work was underway when Adventure International went bankrupt. Other Ventures These games use a different data file format than the Scott Adams games. For more information, see Med Systems Software. * 1: Classic Adventure Written by John Rausch. * 2: Crowley Manor / The Curse of Crowley Manor Type: TO/BG Written 1981 by Jyym Pearson and Norman Sailer. Runs on: * Apple II[Text only/Bitmap graphics] * Atari 8-bit[There are two different versions for the Atari.] * Commodore 64 * PC * Spectrum * TRS-80 * 3: Escape from Traam Type: TO/BG Written 1981 by Jyym Pearson and Norman Sailer. Runs on: * Apple II[Text only/Bitmap graphics] * Atari 8-bit * Commodore 64 * PC * Spectrum * TRS-80 Package blurb: Your small space cruiser is in trouble - and even though you survived the initial crash on a bizarre distant world, you may soon wish that you hadn't! The alien environment of Traam is replete with incredible wonders and sights which no human eyes have ever beheld. You must escape this dangerous world; but be forewarned that if your decisions are not tempered with intellegence (sic) and caution, you may not see home again! * 4: San Francisco 1906 / Earthquake San Francisco 1906 Type: TO/BG Written 1982 by Jyym Pearson and Norman Sailer. Runs on: * Apple II[Text only/Bitmap graphics; 1982] * Atari 8-bit * Commodore 64 * PC * Spectrum * TRS-80 Package blurb: CAN YOU SURVIVE? On April 19, 1906 at 5:18 a.m., one of the most violent earthquakes of modern times decimated metropolitan San Francisco. Now, Jyym Pearson (author of ESCAPE FROM TRAAM and THE CURSE OF CROWLEY MANOR) has crafted his finest Other Venture to date: EARTHQUAKE -- San Francisco 1906! Painstakingly researched with close attention to detail and historical accuracy, EARTHQUAKE puts you into a topsy-turvy scenario: The city's remains are awash with flame; buildings burn and crumble, and death's dark sentry stands watch over all. It is through this madness that you must plunge. Your chances of survival are directly realted to your ability to reason logically. Hopefull, you will escape from fallen San Francisco with your life. EARTHQUAKE features a new powerful data base and is certain to provide you with many hours of thrilling action & challenging puzzles! * Saigon: The Final Days Type: TO/BG Written 1982 (or 1983) by Jyym Pearson, Robyn Pearson and Norman Sailer. Runs on: * Apple II[Bitmap graphics] * Atari 8-bit[Text only/Bitmap graphics; 16K] * Commodore 64 * PC * Spectrum * TRS-80[Text only; 16K; Model I and III.] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Zossed in Space Written by Jyym Pearson. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit * Commodore 64 * PC * Spectrum * TRS-80 Notes: This was Jyym Pearson's first game. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Labyrinth of Crete Type: G (some) Written 1983 by Cliff Johnson and Allen Pinero. Runs on: * Apple II Notes: Has the interesting feature of allowing the player to move two characters. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Doug Carlston - Galactic Saga ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Bob Lafore - Interactive Fiction Package blurb: You become a main character & your income directs the outcome. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- James Talley - Kid-Venture ====================================================================== Adventure International UK This was really a trading name of Adventure Soft UK. The name was used with permission from Adventure International. For more information, see Tynesoft. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Gremlins Type: BG (some animated screens) Written 1984 by Brian Howarth and Teoman Irmak [graphics]. Runs on: * Amstrad[Bitmap graphics] * BBC[Text only] * Commodore 16[Text only] * Commodore 64[Bitmap graphics] * Electron[Text only] * Spectrum[Bitmap graphics] Notes: Also available in German. Based on the Steven Spielberg movie of the same title. The Commodore 64 version (at least) has a bug: if you type 'GO' and press return, you get a completely new hotel. Comments: Save the town from being overrun by blood-thirsty gremlins. Robin of Sherwood: The Touchstones of Rhiannon Type: BG (some animated screens) Written 1985 by Michael Woodroffe, Brian Howarth, Teoman Irmak [graphics], Simon Woodroffe [help] and Alan Cox [help]. Runs on: * Amstrad[Bitmap graphics; By Brian Beukin.] * BBC[Text only] * Commodore 16 * Commodore 64[Bitmap graphics] * Electron[Text only] * Spectrum[Bitmap graphics] Notes: 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 Rebel 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 Type: BG Written 1986 by Mike Woodroffe and Alan Cox. Runs on: * Amstrad * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Notes: Based on the book of the same name by Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson. Has some combat sequences when fighting other ships. Comments: You must explore many islands from aboard your pirate ship. * Rebel Planet Type: BG (some animation) Written about 1986 by Stefan Ufnowski. Runs on: * Amstrad * Commodore 64 * Spectrum[48K] Notes: Based on a book by Robin Waterfield. This is said to have been the first Commodore 64 game with animated graphics. * Appointment with F. E. A. R. Notes: I have only seen an announcement of this, I don't know if it was ever released. ====================================================================== Adventure Probe Software They are located at 52 Burford Road, Liverpool, L16 6AQ, U.K. Hedda's Revenge Written by Edwina Brown. Runs on: * Spectrum ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A Hero For Soriana Written by Karen Tyres. Runs on: * Spectrum ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Castle Warlock Written by Ken Bond. Runs on: * Spectrum ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Feline Sleepy Written by Edwina Brown. Runs on: * Spectrum ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Going Critical Written 1998 by Laurence Creighton. Runs on: * Spectrum ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Hide and Seek Type: TO Written 1997 by Edwina Brown. Runs on: * Spectrum Notes: Later re-released by Zenobi. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Lost Children Written by Larry Horsfield. Runs on: * Spectrum[128k] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Rhyme Cryme Written 1996 by Karen Tyers. Runs on: * Spectrum[128k] Notes: Was also released by Zenobi. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Shimmerkin Written by Christopher Hester. Runs on: * Spectrum ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ten Green Bottles Written 1995 by Karen Tyers. Runs on: * Spectrum[128k] Notes: Was also released by Zenobi. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- There's a Hole in your Bucket Written 1997 by Karen Tyers. Runs on: * Spectrum[128k] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Search for the Wonderful Whotsit Written 1996 by Derek Shaw, Karen Tyers. Runs on: * Spectrum[128k] ====================================================================== Adventure Soft UK Adventure Soft UK was 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. They are distributed by Adventure International UK and US Gold Ltd. For more information, see Callisto Computers, Adventure International and Horrorsoft. Temple of Terror Type: BG Written by Simon Woodroffe and Mike Woodroffe. Runs on: * BBC[By Mike Woodroffe, Graham Lilley, and Teoman Irmak.] * Commodore 64[Very buggy] * Spectrum Notes: Based on a Fighting Fantasy book. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Blizzard Pass Type: BG Written 1986 by Alan Cox. Runs on: * Spectrum[128K] Notes: Orginally sold as part of a Spectrum 128K starter pack by Tynesoft. Alan Cox holds the rights to this game (except for the Spectrum 128. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kayleth (Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine Presents) Type: BG (some animations) Written 1987 by Stefan Ufnowski and Ann Ufnowski. Runs on: * BBC[Text only] * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Notes: Based on a story by Isaac Asimov. Comments: In the 23rd century, you must overthrow the evil Lord Kayleth. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Terraquake (featuring He-Man) Runs on: * Spectrum ====================================================================== Aegis Developments Arazok's Tomb Type: BG Written 1987 by Rick Alves and Jo An Roberts. Runs on: * Amiga ====================================================================== A & F Software Haunted Abbey Written 1984. Runs on: * BBC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Death Satellite Runs on: * Oric-1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Zodiac Runs on: * Oric-1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Horror Castle Type: TO Written 1984. Runs on: * Dragon Comments: Yet another round of "saving the princess". ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Shrinking Professor Runs on: * BBC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pharoah's Tomb ====================================================================== Airwave Adventures The Case of the Cautious Condor Type: G Runs on: * Amiga * Commodore CD32[Also for Commodore CDTV] Notes: Comic strip graphics, no text. Comments: Detective story in the 1930s. ====================================================================== Alchemist Research An organisation covering many topics, but mainly a Sinclair user group. It was started at the end of 1986. Homepage: http://website.lineone.net/~alchemistresearch/ They distribute Gremlin Graphics. Spaceman Bob Type: TO Written by Andrew Davis. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] Notes: You play Spaceman Bob who has to escape from his Darkstar One shuttle craft before a radiation leak kills you. ====================================================================== All American Adventures A subsidiary of U. S. Gold, a European distributor for many different American software companies. They distribute Sierra On-Line, Inc, Screenplay and Med Systems Software. ====================================================================== Alligata Software Ltd They were located in Sheffield. Here Comes the Sun Type: G Written 1983 by C.M. Wright and M.D. Russell. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ====================================================================== Alpine They changed their name either to or from Summit Software. Cops ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Plague Planet (possibly Plagued Planet) ====================================================================== Alternate Source, The This was a very early company (beginning of 1980s?) which made a variety of things for the TRS-80 (usually named with TAS as an acronym). One of their products was _The Adventure System_, which was basically a Scott Adams adventure system. It could play his adventures and had support for writing your own. They also published at least two adventures of reasonable size with the package, and there were at least 25 more distributed in a package. For more information, see Adventure International. ====================================================================== Alternative Software Ltd They were located at Units 5-7 Baileygate Industrial Estate, Pontefract, West Yourshire WF8 2LN. They own the rights to software from Hanna Barbera Productions Inc and Summit Software. Homepage: http://www.altware.demon.co.uk/ Aftermath Type: TO Written 1988. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Druids Moon Written 1987 by Charles A. Sharp. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Lifeterm Type: BG Written 1987 by C. A. Sharp in Graphic Adventure Creator. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * Spectrum[48k] Notes: This might not have been released separately - see below. Comments: In the year 3142, you are sentenced for murder and must spend the rest of your life taking care of a garbage planet - or...? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- S. M. A. S. H. E. D. Written by Charles A. Sharp. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * Spectrum[48k] Notes: This might not have been released separately - see below. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Star Wreck Written 1987 by Charles A. Sharp. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * Spectrum[48k] Notes: This might not have been released separately - see below. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Mystery of the Indus Valleys Written by L.A. Software. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For Gold or Glory Written 1988 by The Dreaming Djinn (Charles A. Sharp). Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Football Frenzy Type: G Written 1987 by Charles A. Sharp. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] Notes: A football (soccer) adventure game. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Excalibur: Sword of Kings Type: G Written 1987 by Ian Smith and Shaun McClure. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ====================================================================== Alpha-Omega Software They were one of the companies involved in Tom Frost's "Adventure Builder System" (aka "Adventure Builder"). They are now owned by Power House. Custerd's Quest Type: DG Written 1986 by Craig Davies. Runs on: * Spectrum[48K] Notes: There were in fact, 2 versions of "Custerds Quest". The first, written in the Summer of 1986, was accepted and released by Alpha Omega, the then budget arm of the software company CRL. Half a year later, AO relaunched themselves as the Power House, and relaunched their games with new packaging. Craig Davies took the opportunity to revise "Custerd", using the Quill's text compressor (The Press) which had been released in the meantime. The Power House version thus contained about 10k more text, and is the superior. ====================================================================== Amazing Media They are distributed by Interplay Productions. Frankenstein, through the eyes of the monster Type: PNC Written by Amazing Media. Runs on: * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Mummy, tomb of the pharaoh Type: PNC Written by Amazing Media. Runs on: * PC ====================================================================== American Eagle Probably a distributor. They distribute Phoenix Software. For more information, see Med Systems Software. ====================================================================== Americana Software Ltd A label of US Gold Ltd mainly doing re-releases. Spy Trek Type: DG Written 1987 in GAC. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ====================================================================== A. N. A. L. O. G. Computing This is a magazine, the title of which actually stands for Atari Newsletter And a Lot Of Games. Adventure in the Fifth Dimension Written 1983 by Brian Moriarty in Basic. Runs on: * Atari 8-bit Notes: Published in Analog #11, November 1983. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Crash Dive! Written 1984 by Brian Moriarty in Machine language. Runs on: * Atari 8-bit Notes: Published in Analog #18, June 1984. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- (unknown title 1) Written in Basic. Runs on: * Atari 8-bit Comments: About a prince who had to fight a dragon. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- (unknown title 2) Written in Basic. Runs on: * Atari 8-bit Comments: About a space station. ====================================================================== Angelsoft, Inc They are distributed by Mindscape, Inc. James Bond 007 in: A View to a Kill Written 1985. Runs on: * Apple II * Macintosh * PC Notes: Based on the screenplay A View to A Kill. Package blurb: All the elegance and daring of James Bond's finest adventures. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Stephen King's The Mist Type: TO Written 1985. Runs on: * Apple II * Macintosh * PC Notes: Based on the Stephen King novella "The Mist". Comes in folder with "An Introduction to Interactive Fiction" Manual, reference card, Poster/Map by Michael Fisher/The Garden Studio and disk. Package blurb: Another Saturday. Another stop at the market. And another wait in the checkout line. Until a shadow descends and someone shouts: "The fog! You oughta see it!" And you do: a mist advancing toward Federal Foods, engulfing the blue sky, the familiar landmarks of Bridgton, and ... all thee people in its path. Your typical Saturday has just ended. Mindscape makes YOU the central character in Stephan King's classic tale of horror. YOU control the action as you desperately fight the hideous things in the Mist and try to uncover what the Arrowhead Project really was. Crazy Mrs. Carmody might be right: this COULD be the end. Enter Stephen King's world of terror - if you dare - and discover that the nightmare is just the beginning... Stephen King's own brand of terror that only the fearless can survive. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Forbidden Castle Written 1985 by Mercer Mayer. Runs on: * Apple II * PC Package blurb: It takes more than courage to reach the forbidden castle and save the princess. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Voodoo Island Written 1985 by M. J. Sayer. Runs on: * Apple II * PC Package blurb: Discover and destroy the source of evil - before it destroys you! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Rambo: First Blood Part II Runs on: * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- James Bond 007 in: Goldfinger ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Indiana Jones in: Revenge of the Ancients Runs on: * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dick Francis: High Stakes Runs on: * PC ====================================================================== Anirog Catacombs Type: G/MUSIC Runs on: * Commodore 64 Comments: The parser was abysmally pathetic. The game is practically unsolvable: how would you figure out that you have to "trace symbol" to move a boulder or say "boo" to a demon to scare it. ====================================================================== Apocalypse Wolfen Type: IG Runs on: * Amiga Notes: In German. ====================================================================== Apogee Supernova Type: TO Written 1986 by Scott Miller and Terry Nagy. Runs on: * PC Notes: Made freeware in 1998, available from the Apogee website (which is also true for Beyond the Titanic). ====================================================================== Apple Computer, Inc Inventor of the graphical desktop. Today mainly selling Macintosh hardware. Apple Adventure Written 1980. ====================================================================== Application Services Company, Inc They were located at Wichita, Kansas 67277, USA. Adventure Type: TO Written 1981. Runs on: * Southwest Technical Products Corporation 6800 Comments: A pretty faithful version of the original adventure by Crowther and Woods. ====================================================================== Argus Press Software Ltd They also published games under the labels Again Again, Grandslam Entertainments Ltd, Mind Games and Shades. The rights to their games is held by Argus Press PLC. Demon Knight Type: TO Written 1983. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Quest for Eternity Type: TO Written 1984 by David Cockram (original) and Stan Fullman (Spectrum conversion). Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ====================================================================== Ariolasoft They distribute PK Soft and Dragonware Games. ====================================================================== Arla Arla is actually one of the larger Swedish dairies. This game was marketed through adverts on the back of milk cartons. Homepage: http://www.arla.se/ Myulk Type: PNC Written 1998?. Notes: In Swedish. Myst-like adventure. ====================================================================== Art Department Das Telekommando kehrt zurück Type: IG Runs on: * Amiga Notes: In German. Promotional game. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Bifi II - Action in Hollywood Type: IG Runs on: * Amiga Notes: In German. Promotional game. ====================================================================== Artic Computing They were located at 396 James Reckitt Avenue, Hull HU8 0JA, England. All their games had a two word parser and used a small game driver. Adventure 'A' (Planet of Death) Written 1981 in Machine code. Runs on: * Amstrad * Commodore 64 * Spectrum * ZX81[Also for 4K ZX80.] Comments: Escape from the alien planet. Package blurb: In this Adventure you find yourself stranded on an alien planet. Your aim is to escape from this planet by finding your, now captured and disabled, Space Ship. You will meet various hazards and dangers on your adventure, some natural, some not, all of which you must overcome to succeed. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Adventure 'B' (Inca Curse) Type: TO Written 1981 by Charles Cecil in Machine code. Runs on: * Spectrum[16K] * Amstrad * Commodore 64 * Spectrum[48K] * ZX81 Package blurb: In the ADVENTURE you find yourself in a South American Jungle, near an, as yet, undisturbed INCA Temple. Inside this temple you will find lots of treasure, your aim is still to get as much treasure as you can. Beware, do not let greed be your downfall. Your adventure is complete when you have returned to the jungle clearing with the treasure. The highest score to date for treasure is 3200 points. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Adventure 'C' (The Alien Space Ship Adventure) / The Ship of Doom Written 1982 by Charles Cecil. Runs on: * Amstrad * Commodore 64 * Spectrum[48K] * ZX81[16K] Package blurb: In Adventure 'C' while on a reconnaissance flight your ship has been drawn by a Graviton Beam onto an Alien Cruiser. Fred, your pet android, informs you that the cruiser is on a Humanoid slave mission, its aim to seek out Humanoid planets from which samples are taken and their brains replaced with microchips. Your aim is to free your ship by pressing the control button in the main computer room. Sounds easy. However, there are various hazards. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Adventure 'D' (Espionage Island) Written 1982. Runs on: * Amstrad * Commodore 64 * Spectrum[48K] * ZX81[16K] Comments: Observe some enemy skullduggery, then escape. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Adventure 'E' (The Golden Apple) Type: DG Written 1983 by Simon Wadsworth. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * Spectrum[48K] Notes: This game introduced graphics and had a slightly better parser. Comments: Find the 13 treasures. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Adventure 'F' (Eye of Bain) Type: DG Written 1984 by Simon Wadsworth. Runs on: * Spectrum Notes: This was the final 'Artic Adventure' to be released. Comments: http://www.sincuser.f9.co.uk/033/sftwre.htm ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Adventure 'H' (Robin Hood) Type: DG Written 1985 by Nigel McGee in The Quill and The Illustrator. Runs on: * Spectrum[48K] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Curse of the 7 Faces Type: TO Written 1985 by Imperial Software (Alan McDonald). Runs on: * Spectrum[48K] Comments: http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~jimg/yr13/yr13_25.htm ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dead at the Controls Type: DG Written 1985 by Dave Stone. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * Spectrum[48K] Comments: After crash-landing on a strange planet, you must try to escape. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground Zero Type: TO Written 1984 by Colin Smith in The Quill. Runs on: * Spectrum[48K] Notes: Colin Smith was a former journalist who sold his house in Dorset to raise capital for the launch of the game. Comments: Unusually serious adventure about surviving a nuclear war. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kingdom of Speldome Runs on: * Amstrad ====================================================================== Artworx Gwendolyn Type: CG Written before 1984 by Marc Russell Benioff. Runs on: * Atari 8-bit[40K; Disk] Notes: It had some animation and sound effects. ====================================================================== ASP Software Ltd Cells and Serpents Written 1983. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Conquering Everest Written 1983. Runs on: * Spectrum[16k] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The White Barrows Written 1983. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Demon Knight Type: TO Written 1983 in Basic. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Comments: Defeat the Demon Knight. ====================================================================== Atkins, Robert Wayne 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. Apparently, the games are no longer available (July 1999). The Ghost of Briarcliff Castle Type: TO Written by Robert Wayne Atkins. Runs on: * PC Package blurb: 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 Type: TO Written by Robert Wayne Atkins. Runs on: * PC Package blurb: 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 Type: TO Written by Robert Wayne Atkins. Runs on: * PC Package blurb: 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 Type: TO Written by Robert Wayne Atkins. Runs on: * PC Package blurb: 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 man's 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 Type: TO Written by Robert Wayne Atkins. Runs on: * PC Package blurb: 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 Earth'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 Type: TO Written by Robert Wayne Atkins. Runs on: * PC Package blurb: 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 Type: TO Written by Robert Wayne Atkins. Runs on: * PC Package blurb: 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 our 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 Type: TO Written by Robert Wayne Atkins. Runs on: * PC Package blurb: 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 Type: TO Written by Robert Wayne Atkins. Runs on: * PC Package blurb: 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 nation's 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 Software Ltd El Dorado Type: TO Written 1985 by Dale Samson. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Temple Terror Written 1984 by Robert Burgess. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Ithaca Written 1985 by D. Liddle and J. Kesson. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Moron's Quest Written 1986. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] Comments: In two parts. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Moron Spaceship Written 1986 by P. Sutton and J. Sutton. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Marie Celeste Written 1984 by W.D.S.. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Mafia Contract Written 1984 by Neil Smyth. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Escape from Khoshima Written 1988 by David Ledbury. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Velnor's Lair Type: TO Written in Basic. Runs on: * Commodore 64 Notes: This had a few RPG elements. Is this the same game as under Quicksilva? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dungeons, Amethysts, Alchemists n' Everythin' / DAA-Adventure Type: G Written 1991. Runs on: * Amiga ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sinbad Type: MCG Runs on: * Spectrum ====================================================================== ATOD Homepage: http://www.atod.se/ They are distributed by Firebird Software Ltd. Hampte Dampte Written 1987. Runs on: * Spectrum Comments: A puzzle adventure. ====================================================================== Attic For more information, see Dragonware Games. ====================================================================== Audiogenic For more information, see Radarsoft. ====================================================================== Automata UK Ltd They used to be located at 27 Highland Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England PO4 9DA: phone 01705 735242. The rights to their games is currenlt owned by Interceptor Group. Frogg Adventure Type: BG Written 1996 by Zeljko Juric. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] Notes: Multiple choise. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Here be Tygers Type: TO Written 1985 by Bob Franklin in The Quill. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Paradise in Microdot Type: CG Written 1985 by Colin Jones in The Quill. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Xtroth - The Adventure Type: DG Written 1985 by John Hughes. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Royal Adventures of a Common Frog Type: DG Written 1985 by The Guild (Terry Braverman) in The Quill. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pimania Type: G Written 1982 by Mel Croucher, Christian Penfold and Chris Edwards in Basic. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * Spectrum[48k] * ZX81 Notes: There was some kind of competition connected to this game where you could win a sundial valued at £6000. The game contained clues as you solved it that were clues to the location you had to meet the authors, the day of the year and the time. To say the least they were obscure and it took over two years to be solved. The Automata people bought the sundial back from the people who solved it in the end. Comments: Not exactly an adventure as such, most odd game. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Crusoe Type: G Written 1984 by Jon Smith in Machine code. Runs on: * Amstrad PCW * Spectrum Comments: It was basically a split window game, with the upper portion of the screen showing your current location on an island, the map was a grid of squares and when you moved off the edge of the screen you moved onto the next portion of the map. The bottom few lines of the screen where for your input and the program's responses. You could pick up objects and manipulate using two word commands... such as pick lock, etc. I think the objective is to escape the island. Jon Smith remembers:Crusoe was, I think, the first attempt to combine player-control of an on-screen character, who roamed around an adventure site you could actually see, with traditional word-parsing instruction... you could talk to the Crusoe character, ask his advice, tell him what to do, get his comments, and then watch him do it (or die in the attempt). I recall it had dozens of variables affecting his life on his desert island, including weather conditions, food, drink, wind strength, and a series of variously dangerous animals. There was also a Man Friday and the animated bones of a castaway with Treasure island links... not very sophisticated by today's standards, but back in 1984 it seemed pretty innovative and got ***** reviews in the mags. The winning screen shows my phone number. Nobody has ever rung up, so I imagine the game was never completed. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Groucho Notes: Based on Groucho Marx. Comments: As an adventure game it was very original, but the programming left something to be desired. ====================================================================== Avalon Hill Avalon hill is a part of Hasbro Interactive, Inc (another homepage) at least since 1998. Homepage: http://www.avalonhill.com/ They distribute Oxford Digital Enterprises. Ripper Type: TO (sound effects) Written by John Winnie and Stanley Baronett, Jr. Runs on: * Commodore 64 Notes: Map included in package. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Empire of the Overmind Type: TO Written 1981. Runs on: * Apple II[48K] * Atari 8-bit[40K] * TRS-80[48K; Model I, II, and III.] Notes: Rid a desolate, suffering land of the evil 'overmind'. The same tape had versions of the program for Atari 8-bit, Apple II, and TRS-80 Model II. Package blurb: Embark on an Heroic Quest! The powerful magic of King Alcazar summons you beyond the boundaries of time and space to a different plane of reality, to the Empire of the Over-Mind. The Over-Mind is tyrant of the blue and red planets; part machine, part spirit of evil. Long ages past, it cleverly overthrew the great King Alcazar, but the king escaped to safety and planned revenge that has taken a thousand years to fulfill. Now, at the Conjunction of the Seventeen Planes, the stage is set for YOU to travel to the Empire of the Over-Mind and destroy the infernal abomination! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- G. F. S. Sorceress Written 1982. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit * TRS-80[Model I and III.] Comments: Pretty good game. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Lords of Karma Type: TO Written 1980. Runs on: * Atari 8-bit[40K] * Apple II[32K] * Commodore 64 * Commodore PET[32K] * TRS-80[48K; Model II.] Notes: The adverts for this game had the subtitle "Why, it's better than food." The same tape had versions of the program for Atari 8-bit, Apple II, PET, and TRS-80. Package blurb: Explore the Magical Universe of Karma! Suddenly you find yourself in the central square of the mythical city of Golconda, in the magical universe of Karma. Just staying alive may be more than you can handle, but the Lords of Karma are watching your every move and they will not let you rest until you have performed may deeds of kindness and bravery. You must explore the verdant forests, twisting hills, rugged mountains, and labyrinthine caverns of the universe of Karma, gradually learning its secrets and completing your tasks. But watch out, there are lurking monsters waiting for lunch -- YOU!! ====================================================================== Avant-Garde Creations They were located at P.O. Box 30160, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA. Phone 503 345-3043. Chambers of Xenobia Type: TO Written 1981 by Steven Sacks. Runs on: * Apple II Comments: Typical descendant of Adventure, Zork and Adventureland. Collect 13 treasures in an underground cavern, while fighting and killing the treasures' guardians. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Race for Midnight Type: BG/SOUND Written 1981 by Steven Sacks. Runs on: * Apple II Comments: Combination D & D-adventure game. In the 14th century, search the dead wizard Evro's dungeon for the elements to the antidote that will end your reign as a werewolf before you can strike again at midnight. Silly looking "hi-res" monsters pop up in every room and battles are won or lost via roles of the dice. As the title implies, the game is time-limited and you have 500 moves until midnight. The sound effects were actually good for the time, but the text, graphics and the game itself are well below that standard. ====================================================================== Aventuras AD Aventuras AD is located in Valencia and directed by Andres Samudio. Homepage: http://surf.to/caad/ Chichen-Itzá Type: DG Written by Andres Samudio [Dirección], Juan Manuel Medina [Programmación], Paco Zarco [Gráficos], Carlos Marques [Gráficos] and Eva Samities [Pruebas]. Runs on: * Amiga * Amstrad * Atari ST * PC * Spectrum[48k] Notes: Written in Spanish. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Jabato vs Imperio: Libertad Type: DG Written 1989 by Andres Samudio [Dirección], Manolo Gonzalez [Programmación], Carlos Marques [Gráficos], Juan Antonio Darder [Gráficos] and Paco Zarco [Gráficos]. Runs on: * Amiga * Amstrad * Atari ST * PC * Spectrum[48k] Notes: Written in Spanish. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- La Aventura Espacial Written 1990 by Andres Samudio, Juan Manuel Medina, Carlos Marques and Juan Antonio Darder. Runs on: * Amiga * Amstrad * Atari ST * PC * Spectrum[48k] Notes: Written in Spanish. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- La Aventura Original Type: DG Written 1989 by Andres Samudio [Dirección], Manuel Gonzalez [Programmación] and Carlos Marques [Gráficos]. Runs on: * Amiga * Amstrad * Atari ST * PC * Spectrum[48k] Notes: Written in Spanish. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- La Diosa de Cozumel Type: DG Written 1990 by Andres Samudio, Tim Gilberts, Carlos Marques and Juan Antonio Darder. Runs on: * Amiga * Amstrad * Atari ST * PC * Spectrum Notes: Written in Spanish. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Los Templos Sagrados Type: DG Written 1991 by Andres Samudio [Dirección], Juan Manuel Medina [Programmación], Paco Zarco [Gráficos] and Carlos Marques [Gráficos]. Runs on: * Amiga * Amstrad * Atari ST * PC * Spectrum[48k] Notes: Written in Spanish. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Wamwort Type: DG Written 1989 by David Calandra Reula. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] Notes: Written in Spanish. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- La Destruccion de America Type: DG Written by Conrado Badenas. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] Notes: Written in Spanish. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- La Guerra de las Vajillas Type: DG Written 1988 in GAC. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] Notes: Written in Spanish. In Two parts. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- La Maldicion de Aros Type: DG Written by Carlos Moreno and P.A.C.. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] Notes: Written in Spanish. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Las Minas Perdidas Type: DG Written 1990 by Alvaro Mandago [Programa], Fermin Mandago [Programa], Miguel Ilarregui [Gráficos] and Miguel Ilarregui [Pantalla]. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] Notes: Written in Spanish. In two parts. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Palace Hotel Type: DG Written by Carlos Gacria de Paredes Ucero. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] Notes: Written in Spanish. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Supervivencia (El Firfurcio) Type: DG Written 1988. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] Notes: Written in Spanish. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sir Sigfrid Type: DG Written 1986. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] Notes: Written in Spanish. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pepe Carvalho en Los Pajaros de Bangkok Type: DG Written by Javier Cubedo. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] Notes: Written in Spanish. In two parts. ====================================================================== Aztec Software I Will Survive! Type: TO Written 1984 in The Quill. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] Notes: The player must try to survive a nuclear attack. ====================================================================== Ballsoft Avoir Written 1985. Runs on: * Spectrum ====================================================================== Bamby Software Mystery Manor Type: BG Written 1984 by D.S. Kelly. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ====================================================================== Bantam Imagic They are distributed by Firebird Software Ltd. Living Literature * Sherlock Holmes: Another Bow Written 1985. * I, Damiano Notes: Based on books by R. A. MacAvoy. The Firebird version of this doesn't mention Bantam at all. It's packaged in a 6" x 7" box. Comments: Much worse than the Sherlock Holmes game. Package blurb: Embark on a perilous journey in a land of Danger, adventure and magic. Seek out the sacred stone, containing the secret of life, that will save the beloved city of Partestrada from the powers of Satan and his cohorts. * (unknown) Notes: This game is in the same package style as I, Damiano. ====================================================================== Baudville Software Dream Zone Type: IG/TEXT/MUSIC Written 1988 by Andy Gavin and Jason Rubin. Runs on: * Amiga * Apple IIGS * PC ====================================================================== Beyond Software The rights to their software is currently owned by Hasbro Interactive. Doomdark Trilogy These games use a technique called landscaping to create a 3D graphical picture of what you looked at, regardless of where in the game you were or in what direction you were looking. They are some kind of mix between adventures and war games. All of these games involve controlling several different characters at once. * Lords of Midnight Type: BG Written 1984 by Mike Singleton. Runs on: * Amstrad * Commodore 64 * PC[1991; Ported by Christopher Wild] * Spectrum[48k] * Doomdark's Revenge Type: BG Written 1985 by Mike Singleton. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * PC[1991; Ported by Christopher Wild] * Spectrum[48k] * Eye of the Moon Comments: This was never released, even though it was probably close to finished. * Lords of Midnight: The Citadel Written 1997 by Mike Singleton [programming], James Shaw [programming], David Ollman [programming], Paul Hodgson [programming] and Hugh Batterbury [Executive producer]. Runs on: * PC Notes: This is the first game in this series to be released for the PC, but in spite of the name it is actually the third game of the trilogy, being a quest for the "Eye of the Moon". The CD also contains ports of the first two games. Comments: The story follows on from Doomdark's Revenge. Luxor the Moonprince, an old man now, goes on a quest for the Eye of Moon, but is captured, and imprisoned in a Citadel. So it is up to Morkin and co. to save him. It seems more tricky to play than the original two, featuring a real-time animated interface. For more information, see Domark Ltd. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sorderon's Shadow Type: BG Written 1985 by Nick Eatock and Simon Welland. Runs on: * Spectrum[48K] Notes: This was a conventional game using landscaping. Comments: It's a bitch to solve. ====================================================================== Big Sky Software Time Thief Type: TO Written 1988 by Don MacLeod in (heavily modified) Quill. Runs on: * Commodore 64 Comments: 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. ====================================================================== Blue Line Studios They are located at Fuerstensteinerst 47, CH 4053 Basel, Switzerland, Phone ++41 61 331 2822, Fax ++41 61 331 2822. The company was founded in 1994. Homepage: http://www.blueline-studios.com/ Email: studio@blueline-studios.com. The Castle Type: 3D/SOUND/MUSIC/PNC Written 1998. Runs on: * Macintosh Package blurb: When Noemi suddenly finds herself in a dreamlike world, and two men from her past unexpectedly appear, she would never have thought it would all soon turn into a nightmare. As the three people explore the enigmatic castle world in which they are trapped, they encounter an oracle. Its predictions seem to become fulfilled every time. But really every time? And when one of the men suddenly disappears, it is the beginning of great passion -- and an evil plot. A plot you can unravel if you put together Noemi's destroyed diary, solve strange puzzles, find hidden secret passages, and -- remember -- prepare to confront the evil before it's too late... The game consists of over 1,200 crisp 3D-pictures in 16-bit color depth, animation sequences, environment sounds, and background music. It features an intuitive point-and-click interface. The game is the product of nearly two years of development. Players explore the 3D surroundings in quest of the scattered pages of a mysterious diary, getting more and more involved in the story about three people being trapped in an enigmatic world. As the plot gradually unravels, players become aware of having taken on an active role. "We've built an entire 3D world up to the tiniest detail", Dan C. Kueng, president of Blue Line Studios, said. "We want to make you feel as if you are really there." Extreme effort was put into ever so small details. The diary for example, a vital point in the game play, is entirely written by hand. "It would have been so much easier to have used a typeface for the diary", Mary, general assistant and alpha tester, said, "but now, Noemi's diary looks very authentic. It has that certain touch. We love it!" Two CPUs were setup for the 3D rendering that took place in batch mode, running around the clock. Still, the 3D processing stage took well over 16,000 hours. Another important part was the programming. The game keeps track of the players' position and changes. Partially it features AI (artificial intelligence). "We were never satisfied with the result, and kept doing every little thing over and over! At times we thought we'd never ever get this thing finished, but now we are certain that it has been worth it," Dan said. "It was great fun to develop THE CASTLE, and the game has turned out to be all we hoped for!" ====================================================================== Blue Ribbon Secret Sam Mission 2 Runs on: * BBC ====================================================================== Boffo Games The Space Bar Written 1998 by Steve Meretzky. Notes: This comes on three CDs. ====================================================================== Boldfield Limited Company They are located at Boldfield Computing Cambridge House, 91 High Street, Longstanton, Cambridge, CB4 5BS, England (1999). Telephone: 01954 789978, Fax: 01954 782878. Homepage: http://www.boldfield.com/ Email: sales@boldfield.com. Black Island Adventure Written 1984 by Phil Collins and Geoffrey Walker. Runs on: * Jupiter Ace ====================================================================== Bomico Project Prometheus Runs on: * Amiga Notes: In German. ====================================================================== Broderbund Software They are located at 500 Redwood Blvd., Novato, California, 94948, USA. Brøderbund was founded by Doug and Gary Carlston in 1980, when the personal computer software industry was still in its infancy. The brothers established the company in order to market Galactic Empire and Galactic Trader, computer game programs Doug had written in his spare time when he wasn't practicing law. Brøderbund recently (1998) merged with The Learning Company. Homepage: http://www.broderbund.com/ They distribute Synapse Software, Ultrasoft (US) and Cyan. For more information, see The Learning Company. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Deadly Secrets Type: G Written 1982 by Scott Schram. Runs on: * Apple II Blood Quest Type: G Written 1984. Runs on: * Apple II Notes: This might not have been ever released. Carmen Sandiego At least some of these were released for the Apple II and probably some for the Apple IIGS as well. There were also some available on the Commodore 64 and some on the Macintosh, but I don't have exact data. * Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego Type: IG Runs on: * Amiga * Commodore 64 * PC * Where in the USA is Carmen Sandiego Type: IG Runs on: * Amiga * PC * Where in Europe is Carmen Sandiego Type: IG Runs on: * Amiga * PC * Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego Runs on: * Commodore 64 * PC * Where in Space is Carmen Sandiego Runs on: * PC ====================================================================== Buffer Micro Ltd Mysterious Fairground Written 1984 in The Quill. Runs on: * Spectrum[48K] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Buffer Adventure Type: TO Written 1984 in The Quill. Runs on: * Spectrum[48K] Comments: You enter the Buffer Micro shop in order to discover what goes on behind the scenes. Unfortunately, it's not possible to leave until you locate your missing credit cards and the beastly staff insist on you buying your way out. ====================================================================== Bug-Byte Software Ltd They were located at Mulberry House, Canning Place, Liverpool L1 8JB,UK. The right to their software is currently owned by Argus Press PLC. Twin Kingdom Valley Type: DG Written 1983 by Trevor Hall. Runs on: * BBC * Commodore 16 * Commodore 64 * Spectrum[1984; 48K] Comments: Large area to explore, with a fairly developed parser, you could order NPCs about (with varying success) and give items to them, making them use weapons against other NPCs. At one stage you could free some monsters from a prison cell, and duly command them as a personal army. The nice thing about the game was the randomness, NPCs came and left on their own agendas, making each game somewhat different. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Castle Type: TO Written 1983 by Chris Cannon. Runs on: * Oric-1 * Spectrum[48K] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Dogboy Type: DG Written 1985 by St. Bride's School. Runs on: * Spectrum[48K] Notes: May also have been released by Zenobi Software. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- STI (Search for Terrestrial Intelligence) Type: TO Written 1988 by Roy Stead. Runs on: * Spectrum[48K] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Old Father Time Runs on: * BBC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dragonquest Runs on: * BBC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Damsel and the Beast ====================================================================== Bytepack James Bond: Octopussy Type: BG Written 1992 by Marek Forray [graphics] and Milan Blazicek [programming]. Runs on: * Spectrum[48K] Notes: In Slovenian. ====================================================================== Callisto Computers 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. For more information, see Adventure Soft UK. ====================================================================== Capstone An American Tail: Fievel Goes West Type: PNC Runs on: * PC Notes: After the movie. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Dark Half Written 1992. Notes: Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name. ====================================================================== Carnell Software Run by Roy Carnell and Stuart Galloway, who both were involved in the optical special effects on Superman. They were located in Berkshire. (unknown) * Volcanic Dungeon Written 1981 by Roy Carnell. Runs on: * ZX81[16K] * Spectrum[1983] Notes: Distributed on the same cassette as Hangman. * Volcanic Dungeon (updated version) Type: BG Written 1984 by Roy Carnell. Runs on: * Spectrum[48K] Notes: This version featured speech with the aid of a hardware accessory called "Currah uSpeech". * The Wrath of Magra Type: CG Written by Roy Carnell, Stephen Kirk and Stuart Galloway. Runs on: * Spectrum[48K] Notes: Divided into four parts. Was also issued on Mastertronic's Mastervision label. * Black Crystal Type: BG Written 1982 by Roy Carnell and Stuart Galloway in Basic. Runs on: * ZX81[16K] * Spectrum[48K] Notes: Divided into six parts. You move your character with the arrow keys. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Devil Rides In Written 1983. Runs on: * Spectrum[48K] Notes: A shoot-em-up, not an adventure. The Eye of the Star Warrior Type: MCG Written 1983 by Roy Carnell and Tony Bridges. Runs on: * Spectrum[48K] Notes: You move your character with the arrow keys. Also published as a listing in "Spectrum Adventures" published by Sunshine Books. ====================================================================== Cascade Mountain Publishing Avalon / Once and Future Type: TO Written 1998 by G. Kevin "Whizzard" Wilson in TADS. Runs on: * TADS Notes: This game was announced as Avalon in 1993 and then work progressed over a very long time. Just days before it was finally released, the name Avalon turned out to be taken (game titles can be trademarked) so the game had to be renamed. This is the first commercial release of a text-only game for several years. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Chameleon Type: TO Written by Michael Berlyn and Muffy McClung Berlyn. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Dumont's Wild P.A.R.T.I. Type: TO Written by Michael Berlyn and Muffy McClung Berlyn. Runs on: * Inform Notes: This is a new version of the game originally released by First Row Software. This version is about twice the size of the original Dumont. Mark Musante ported the original game to Inform, then the original authors revised and expanded it. It has a built-in hint system. Package blurb: In the surreal tradition of Tass Times In Tonetown... Failing physics--again--would be traumatic enough. But now, you're trapped inside a Particle Accelerator and Reality Translation Integrator, the product of mad genius meeting mixed metaphors. Originally designed to help the human mind understand particle physics, the sub-atomic world inside is a strange blend of mysticism and science, of Zen contemplation and Marx Brothers movies. Dr. Gregory Dumont has sucked you into his P.A.R.T.I., but it's no picnic in there. Cascade Mountain Publishing is proud to announce the release of Dr. Dumont's Wild P.A.R.T.I., their latest full-length interactive fiction adventure. CMP broke onto the scene last year with the long-awaited release of Once and Future, the epic adventure tale that re-established top-quality interactive fiction in the gaming marketplace. This special release of P.A.R.T.I. revives Dr. Dumont and his bizarre particle accelerator from a decade-long slumber. The new version includes an expanded P.A.R.T.I. world, a built-in hint system, and all of the important contents of Dr. Dumont's desk and cork board! The new version of P.A.R.T.I. is available for the first time in the popular cross-platform Inform format, making it compatible for systems ranging from palmtops to workstations (and, of course, PCs and Macs for the more conventional gameplayer.) Explore the wonders of the Science Art Museum (open 24 hours) on your PalmPilot! Visit the UnFair in Linux! Thrill to the Kite Races on your Psion 5! The mysteries of Particle X are in there somewhere, and without your wits and a Diploma of Thought, jealously guarded by the mysterious Professor Parti, it's going to be a long day. Although Dr. Dumont's input was invaluable, P.A.R.T.I. is the brainchild of the First Couple of interactive fiction, Muffy McClung Berlyn and Michael Berlyn. The Berlyns are behind a number of breakthrough games, including Suspended, Cutthroats, Tass Times In Tonetown, Infidel, and Oo-Topos. "We're excited about introducing Dr. Dumont to a whole new class of undergrads," says Michael Berlyn, co-author and publisher. "We're dedicated to changing the way people think about text adventures, and I can't think of a better way to change one's perspective than to step inside Dr. Dumont's Wild P.A.R.T.I." This special release of Dr. Dumont's Wild P.A.R.T.I. is an electronic-only product. For $24.00, you can download the game package from Cascade Mountain's eCommerce server, including an Adobe Acrobat (PDF) file containing important documentation and "props" from Dr. Dumont's office. For more information, see First Row Software. ====================================================================== Castleworks Gameware Slogan: "The innovation behind your imagination" They are distributed by Merit Software. Kronolog - The Nazi Paradox (also known as Red Hell) Runs on: * PC Package blurb: It is the year 2020 and the Nazi victors of World War II control a world on the brink of ecological disaster. You alone hold the key that can stop their insane destruction of the planet. Can you unearth their dark secret before they stop you! * Digitized Actors, Speech and Sound Effects * Original Midi Sound Track * Over 20 Megabytes of Graphic Adventuring * "Be prepared to unravel one of the most inventive plots to come to the PC!" -Computer Game Review ====================================================================== CCS CCS is currently owned by Alchemist Research. CCS is short for Cases Computer Simulations Ltd. They were mainly known for their wargames. Staff of Zaranol Written 1984 by M.J. Gearing. Runs on: * Spectrum[48K] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Diamond Quest Written 1984 by Martin Sherlock. Runs on: * Spectrum[48K] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Camelot Written 1983 by C.P.M. Chapman and G.R. Brooks. Runs on: * Spectrum[48K] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Byte Written 1983 by Ofer Ben-Ami and Shelly Ben-Ami. Runs on: * Spectrum[48K] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- (Journey Across the) Abyss Written 1984 by J.P.W. Smith. Runs on: * Spectrum[48K] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1942 Mission Written 1984 or earlier. Runs on: * Spectrum[48K] Notes: This game won the Cambridge Award 1984. ====================================================================== CDS They distribute SCR Adventures. ====================================================================== Celtic Software Located at 77 Williw Park Avenue, Glasnevin North, Dublin 11, Eire. Manor of Madness Type: TO Written 1984 by Colm McCarthy. Runs on: * Spectrum[48K] * Oric-1[This is not totally sure.] Notes: Might have been written with The Quill. A graphic version might have been released in 1985. Had a good multiple word parser. Comments: You star as Leonid Smirnoff, who must track down a file concerning Russian spies in Manhattan. The file appears to be located in an insane asylum, so that's where you wind up. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Corridors of the Nethermind Type: TO Written by Colm McCarthy. Runs on: * Spectrum[48K] * Oric-1[This is not totally sure.] Notes: A graphic version might have been released in 1985. Had a good multiple word parser. Comments: Fairly small but almost impossible. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ? Comments: A third game might have been released in 1985. ====================================================================== Central Solutions Central Solutions also published games under the labels Double Play Adventures and Pocket Money Software. 10 Adventure Game Pack Volume Written 1986. Runs on: * Spectrum Notes: A compilation of A Tangled Tale (Double Play Adventures), Jason and the Golden Fleece (Pocket Money Software), Crystal Quest (Pocket Money Software), Sea of Zirun (Double Play Adventures), Time Quest (Double Play Adventures), Dragon Slayer (Double Play Adventures), Eye of Vartan (Double Play Adventures), The Rifts of Time (Pocket Money Software), Commando (Double Play Adventures) and The Hexagonal Museum (Double Play Adventures). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 Adventure Game Pack Volume 2 Written 1986. Runs on: * Spectrum Notes: A compilation of Pirate's Gold, Orbit of Doom (by Dave Watson), The Prospector (by Tartan Software), Theatre of Death, Rings of Merlin (by G.F.), The Keeper, Trail, Gaints (by Edward Beck), Goldseeker and The Ring of Dreams. ====================================================================== Chameleon Software They were located at 4733 N. Mitchner, Indianapolis, IN 46226, USA. They are distributed by Adventure International. Maces and Magic Advertised as a "thinking person's dungeon". The three Maces and Magics games (Balrog, Stone of Sisyphus, and Morton's Fork) were adventure games where a player chose one of multiple choices to navigate around a puzzle-filled world. The games were available on the TRS-80, Apple II, and Atari 800. All games required disk drives. The player typically wandered around the world gathering items; to solve puzzles, the player had to "use" found items by naming a one-word action to perform. For example, in a room with a dartboard, the player might choose to use the dart, then would type "THROW" as the action. With a pile of lumber, the player would type "LADDER" to build a ladder. Unfortunately, memory constraints limited the number of synonyms, making the process of solving some of the puzzles annoying. Each game usually provided hints about appropriate words inside some of its messages displayed when starting up each game. The games are probably best known for having a good sense of humor and great setting. Unlike other many other adventure games of the time, most of the descriptions were kept off on disk, and only the current messages were loaded into memory. This allowed for much more descriptive text than the Scott Adams adventures. Monsters and fighting were present, but usually only as a way to slow a player down (or kill the player off) while scuttling between puzzles. The games also tended to be less likely to maintain a realistic world, instead sticking together creative, but disparate puzzles into a world. Balrog represented a dungeon crawl with outdoor and indoor adventures. Stone of Sisyphus represented a mostly internal dungeon crawl. Morton's Fork involved searching around a castle. AS YOU APPROACH THE MANTICORE, THE MONSTER PHOTOS FALL FROM YOUR PACK. HIS EYES BUG OUT AND HE BEGINS TO SALIVATE. 'I MUST HAVE THOSE PHOTOS', HE GRUNTS. YOU MAY OFFER TO SELL THEM (1) OR REFUSE (2). FEW ADVENTURERS HAVE HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF FIGHTING A MANTICORE BARE HANDED. I'LL BE SURE TO TAKE NOTES. Strangely, even though the multiple choice options would conceivably be frustrating by forcing the player into only following certain actions, the outlandish choices (and results) kept the game fun. Example from "Morton's Fork": When the player chooses to gaze into a mirror in a bedroom, the following action happens: ...THE MIRROR SHATTERS... & ACCORDING TO TRADITION, YOUR LUCK IS DOWN 7 FOR 7 YEARS. AS YOU HURRIEDLY LEAVE THE ROOM, A DWARF FROM THE GLAZIERS' UNION PUSHES PAST YOU MUTTERING ABOUT UGLY ADVENTURERS. From "Stone of Sisyphus": A SEARING BLAST OF HEAT RAISES RIVULETS OF PERSPIRATION ON YOUR HEROIC FOREHEAD AS YOU CONFRONT THE DUNGEON HEATING PLANT. THE FIERY TENTACLES OF THE PLANT REACH FOR YOU.... Balrog was the first game; on both the TRS-80 and Apple, the data files for the game alone filled one disk, and thus the game required a two drive machine to run. The later games had smaller adventures, and couple be run on single player machines. One of the interesting technical features of the game is that the game doesn't really have rooms, but "situations" providing a description and a set of options. * 1: Balrog Type: TO Written before 1982. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit * TRS-80 * 2: The Stone of Sisyphus Type: TO Written before 1982. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit * TRS-80 * 3: Morton's Fork Type: TO Written 1981 or 1982 by Chameleon Software. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit * TRS-80[Model I and III.] Notes: The release date is a bit difficult to determine. From one copy of the game the following can be determined: It has a package library stamp of "05-04-82", presumably day/month/year. The package is copyright 1981 (a date which seems to be the same on all the games distributed on original styrofoam packages distributed by Adventure International. The front cover artwork is copyright 1981. Disk 1 has copyright 1980 on it, but that seems to be the same on all older-style disk labels. This copy of the game also had a Morton's Fork disk label stuck on top of a Balrog disk label. The game came on two disks for both Apple II and TRS-80 Model I and Model III. Side one of both disks is the TRS-80 version. Side two of both is the Apple II one. Package blurb: Many have tried to find the secret of the Wizard's Fortress... None have survived! Now its your turn... The wait is over! The third voyage into the sorcerous realms of the highly lauded "Maces & Magic" series is here. MORTON'S FORK continues the grand tradition birthed by its predecessors, BALROG SAMPLER and THE STONE OF SISYPHUS. MORTON'S FORK -- an incredibly powerful adventure which allows the participant to penetrate an arcane world bereft of natural laws and rationality. Where a man's worth is measured against the dark wars he must continually wage, and a life often possesses no more value than discarded chaff. The scenario is set within the confines of an ancient wizard's fortress. Through your keyboard input, you equip your warrior with armor, weapons, gold, as well as with desirable personal attributes. These attributes should include strength, intellegence [sic!] dexterity, charisma, and verily -- even a little luck! You will find yourself searching for both fame and fortune, and alas, neither status is easily attainable! MORTON'S FORK unique features include multiple skill levels corresponding to actual levels in the wizard's castle, increased usage of three dimensional relationships, and even craftier use of traps and snares over those found in BALROG and SISYPHUS. If you have met and surpassed the challenge of other software entertainment, or if you truly yearn for a diverse, novel experience in conjunction with your microcomputer, your search is now at an end. MORTON'S FORK -- power beyond belief. ====================================================================== Channel 8 Company specializing in adventure games. They distribute Howarth, Brian. ====================================================================== Church Army Resource Centre Star Quest Type: TO Written 1984. Runs on: * Spectrum[48k] ====================================================================== Chymesoft Captain's Log Type: TO Runs on: * Oric-1 Comments: Sci-fi adventure. ====================================================================== CLOAD They issued monthly diskettes with various games and utilities. Quest for Fire Runs on: * TRS-80 ====================================================================== Cobra Computer Software Jolly Duplicator Written 1987 by Michael Monaghan. Runs on: * Spectrum[48K] ====================================================================== Codemasters Codemasters was started, owned and operated by the two Darling brothers after they managed to get out of their earlier contract with Mastertronic. They specialised in action/adventure games that you move a character around with keys, press a key to get an item and another to drop one. They made a quite popular series about an egg called Dizzy and a one off game about a guy called Seymore. The games were mostly released for Spectrum +2s on tapes. Sometime around 1999 they bought Yosemite Entertainment (originally the development portion of Sierra On-Line). Homepage: http://www.codemasters.com/ For more information, see Yosemite Entertainment and Mastertronic. Necris Dome Type: DG Written 1987 by Charles Sharp in GAC. Runs on: * Amstrad * Commodore 64 * Spectrum[48K] Comments: "The leader of a cemetery in orbit around Earth plans to attack Earth. You must stop him." ====================================================================== Cognetics Corporation They are now a usability consulting and user interface design company. Homepage: http://www.cognetics.com/ They are distributed by Electronic Arts. Amnesia Type: TO Written 1983-1986 by Thomas M. Disch [story] and Kevin Bentley [programming] in KingEdward. Runs on: * Apple II * Commodore 64 * PC Notes: Featured a man dressed in a white tuxedo replete with top hat standing in Times Square on the cover. It also included a complete and accurate subway map of the New York City Subway System. The Commodore 64 version came on two disks. The game was huge. The game comes with a "X-Street Indexer" wheel to find the nearest cross street. You first align the avenue name on the inner wheel with the street on the outer wheel, then the small window in the inner wheel shows the nearest cross street. Comments: Your character awakens in a hotel room, naked and aching. You must endeavor to reclaim your identity, figure out why you're a wanted man, and set the record straight. ====================================================================== Coktel Vision They are distributed by Sierra O