Canonical Adventure Game List

[Nathan Torkington]

Archive-Name: adventure-games
Maintained-By: Nathan.T...@vuw.ac.nz <Nathan Torkington>
Version: $Revision: 1.2 $

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0. Introduction

This is a list of as many adventure games as I could find. I keep
track of Title, Date, Company, Author(s), Scenario(s), and any other
Comments that may be needed. A list of contributors appears at the
end of this file.

This file is ordered by company. A short introduction to each company
and the games they wrote appears before the list of games. An index
is provided at the start. Sections are separated by lines with 40
hyphens (-) on. Inside each section, games are separated by blank
lines. Each line in that paragraph represents some piece of
information about that game.

This list is posted infrequently to rec.arts.int-fiction. It is not
currently available by anonymous FTP. It is maintained by Nathan
Torkington and all mail about it should be directed to
games...@vuw.ac.nz

Games about which I need a lot of information are probably those in
the Miscellaneous section at the end.

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1. Index

0. Introduction
1. Index
2. Infocom
2.1 Interactive Zorks
2.2 Interactive Mystery
2.3 Interactive Science Fiction
2.4 Interactive Adventure
2.5 Interactive Comedy
2.6 Interactive Horror
2.7 Interactive Romance
2.8 Interactive Espionage
2.9 Later games
3. Magnetic Scrolls
3.1 Games
4. Legend Entertainment
4.1 Spellcasting
4.2 Other Games
41. Miscellaneous Companies

42. Credits

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2. Infocom

Infocom are often praised as popularising interactive fiction. Their
games often blended humour with a complex cunning required to solve
the puzzles. Infocom were bought by Activision in February 1986, and
are now only a label on which several (often thought inferior) games
have been released.

Since the Activision buyout, things have changed. As of March 1992,
the authors were:
Bob Bates is president of Legend Entertainment.
Mike Berlyn writes SEGA games for Accolade.
Marc Blank owns a ComputerLand store in Bend.
Amy Briggs is a PhD. candidate in Experimental Psychology at the
University of Minnesota.
Stu Galley works at Thinking Machines Corporation.
Dave Lebling writes a spreadsheet.
Steve Meretzky writes adventures for Legend Entertainment.
Brian Moriarty works at Lucasfilm Games.

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2.1 Interactive Zorks

%T Wishbringer
%D 1985
%C Infocom
%A Brian Moriarty
%S
%Z Zmachine versions 3 and 5. Infocom code IZ0

%T Zork I
%D 1981
%C Infocom
%A Mark Blanc
%A Dave Lebling
%S Exploring an underground empire.
%Z Zmachine versions 3 and 5. Infocom code IZ1. Available in _Lost
%Z Treasures of Infocom_ package.
%Z The first part of the Zork trilogy (later 5 parts) that was the
%Z commercial expansion of a game written on an MIT machine for fun.
%Z (See the Definitive History of Zork).
%Z A German version was begun by Jeff O'Neill in 1988 but was never
%Z completed.

%T Zork II
%D 1981
%C Infocom
%A Marc Blanc
%A Dave Lebling
%S Exploring an underground empire.
%Z Zmachine version 3. Infocom code IZ2. Available in _Lost Treasures
%Z of Infocom_ package.
%Z See Zork I.

%T Zork III
%D 192
%C Infocom
%A Marc Blanc
%A Dave Lebling
%S Exploring an underground empire.
%Z Zmachine version 3. Infocom code IZ3. Available in _Lost Treasures
%Z of Infocom_ package.
%Z See Zork I.

%T Enchanter
%D 1983
%C Infocom
%A Mark Blanc
%A Dave Lebling
%S
%Z Zmachine version 3. Infocom code IZ4. Available in _Lost Treasures
%Z of Infocom_ package.

%T Sorcerer
%D 1984
%C Infocom
%A Steve Meretzky
%S
%Z Zmachine version 3. Infocom code IZ5. Available in _Lost Treasures
%Z of Infocom_ package.

%T Spellbreaker
%D 1985
%C Infocom
%A Dave Lebling
%S
%Z Zmachine version 3. Infocom code IZ6. Available in _Lost Treasures
%Z of Infocom_ package.

%T Trinity
%D 1986
%C Infocom
%A Brian Moriarty
%S
%Z Zmachine version 4. Infocom code IZ7.

%T Beyond Zork
%D 1987
%C Infocom
%A Brian Moriarty
%S
%Z Zmachine version 5. Infocom code IZ8. Available in _Lost Treasures
%Z of Infocom_ package. Has on-line hints.
%Z One of the later extensions to the Zork trilogy. It covers ground
%Z not in the original Zork game. See Zork I and Zork Zero.

%T Zork Zero: The Revenge of Megaboz
%D 1988
%C Infocom
%A Steve Meretzky
%S
%Z Zmachine version 6. Infocom code IZ9?. Available in _Lost Treasures
%Z of Infocom_ package. Has graphics.
%Z One of the later extensions to the Zork trilogy. It covers ground
%Z not in the original Zork game. See Zork I and Beyond Zork.

----------------------------------------
2.2 Interactive Mystery

%T Deadline
%D 1982
%C Infocom
%A Marc Blanc
%S
%Z Zmachine version 3. Infocom code IM1. Available in _Lost Treasures
%Z of Infocom_ package.

%T The Witness
%D 1983
%C Infocom
%A Stu Galley
%S
%Z Zmachine version 3. Infocom code IM2. Available in _Lost Treasures
%Z of Infocom_ package.

%T Suspect
%D 1984
%C Infocom
%A Dave Lebling
%S
%Z Zmachine version 3. Infocom code IM3. Available in _Lost Treasures
%Z of Infocom_ package.

%T Ballyhoo
%D 1986
%C Infocom
%A Jeff O'Neill
%S Circus setting.
%Z Zmachine version 3. Infocom code IM4. Available in _Lost Treasures
%Z of Infocom_ package.

%T Moonmist
%D 1986
%C Infocom
%A Stu Galley
%A Jim Lawrence
%S Murder mystery in country house.
%Z Zmachine version 3. Infocom code IM5. Available in _Lost Treasures
%Z of Infocom_ package.

----------------------------------------
2.3 Interactive Science Fiction

%T Starcross
%D 1982
%C Infocom
%A Dave Lebling
%S
%Z Zmachine version 3. Infocom code IS1. Available in _Lost Treasures
%Z of Infocom_ package.

%T Suspended
%D 1982
%C Infocom
%A Michael Berlyn
%S
%Z Zmachine version 3. Infocom code IS2. Available in _Lost Treasures
%Z of Infocom_ package.

%T Planetfall
%D 1983
%C Infocom
%A Steve Meretzky
%S
%Z Zmachine versions 3 and 5. Infocom code IS3. Available in _Lost
%Z Treasures of Infocom_ package.
%Z The original packaging for this game had a disk jacket where the
%Z writing on the back of the disk sleeve had something like:
%Z (Picture of disk being bent): No! Nicht! Nidni-nik*nik
%Z (Picture of disk with magnet): No! Nie! Phruka-nik*nik
%Z (Picture of disk being touched): No! Nicht! Nidni-nik*nik*
%Z (Picture of disk being inserted into computer): Insert
%Z Carefully! [something in German] Nik*oopxi-daxi
%Z (Picture of disk beside thermometer)
%Z 45 F -- 96F
%Z 10 C -- 25C
%Z 15,000 Q -- 25,000 Q
%Z (the last item on each list is the Alien translation).

%T The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
%D 1983
%C Infocom
%A Douglas Adams
%A Steve Meretzky
%S Space.
%Z Zmachine versions 3 and 5. Infocom code IS4. Available in _Lost
%Z Treasures of Infocom_ package.
%Z A successor to this, called _The Restaurant At The End of the
%Z Universe_ was begun by Stu Galley in 1990, but was never finished.

%T A Mind Forever Voyaging
%D 1985
%C Infocom
%A Steve Meretzky
%S
%Z Zmachine version 4. Infocom codeIS5.

%T Stationfall
%D 1987
%C Infocom
%A Steve Meretzky
%S
%Z Zmachine version 3. Infocom code IS6. Available in _Lost Treasures
%Z of Infocom_ package.

----------------------------------------
2.4 Interactive Adventure

%T Infidel
%D 1983
%C Infocom
%A Michael Berlyn
%A P. Fogelman
%S
%Z Zmachine version 3. Infocom code IA1. Available in _Lost Treasures
%Z of Infocom_ package.

%T Seastalker
%D 1984
%C Infocom
%A Stu Galley
%A Jim Lawrence
%S
%Z Zmachine version 3. Infocom code IA2.

%T Cutthroats
%D 1984
%C Infocom
%A Michael Berlyn
%A J. Wolper
%S
%Z Zmachine version 3. Infocom code AI3.

%T Hollywood Hijinx
%D 1986
%C Infocom
%A Dave Anderson
%A
%S
%Z Zmachine version 3. Infocom code AI4.

----------------------------------------
2.5 Interactive Comedy

%T Leather Goddesses of Phobos
%D 1986
%C Infocom
%A Steve Meretzky
%S
%Z Zmachine versions 3 and 5. Infocom code IC1.
%Z A sequel was released under the Activision label. See "Leather
%Z Goddesses of Phobos 2: The Gas Pump Girls".
%Z Notable for the changable level of smut (lewd mode, etc).

%T Bureaucracy
%D 1987
%C Infocom
%A Douglas Adams
%S
%Z Zmachine version 4. Infocom code IC2.

%T Nord and Bert Couldn't Made Head or Tail of It
%D 1987
%C Infocom
%A Jeff O'Neill
%S
%Z Zmachine version 5. Infocom code IC3.

----------------------------------------
2.6 Interactive Horror

%T Lurking Horror
%D 1987
%C Infocom
%A Dave Lebling
%S
%Z Zmachine version 3. Infocom code IH1.

----------------------------------------
2.7 Interactive Romance

%T Plundered Hearts
%D 1987
%C Infocom
%A Amy Briggs
%S
%Z Zmachine version 3. Infocom code IR1.

----------------------------------------
2.8 Interactive Espionage

%T Border Zone
%D 1987
%C Infocom
%A Marc Blanc
%S
%Z Zmachine version 5. Infocom code IE1.

----------------------------------------
2.9 Later Games

%T Sherlock: Riddle of the Crown Jewels
%D 1988
%C Infocom/Activision.
%A Bob Bates
%S
%Z Zmachine version 5. Infocom code CS1.

%T Arthur: The Quest for Excalibur
%D 1989
%C Infocom/Activision.
%A Bob Bates.
%S
%Z Zmachine version 6. Graphics.

%T Quarterstaff
%D 1989
%C Infocom/Activision.
%A Scott Schmidt
%A Ken Updike
%S
%Z Graphics.

%T Battletech: The Crescent Hawk's Inception
%D 1988
%C Infocom/Activision
%A Westwood Associates
%S
%Z Graphics.

%T Battletech 2
%D 1990
%C Infocom/Activision
%A Westwood Associates
%S
%Z Graphics.

%T Journey
%D 1989
%C Infocom/Activision
%A Marc Blanc
%S
%Z Graphics.

%T Shogun
%D 1989
%C Infocom/Activision
%A James Clavell
%A Dave Lebling
%S
%Z Graphics.

%T Circuit's Edge
%D 1990
%C Infocom/Activision
%A George Alec Effinger
%S
%Z

%T Mines of Titan
%D
%C Infocom/Activision
%A
%S
%Z

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3. Magnetic Scrolls

An English company, they are noted for their complex parsers and
intricate puzzles. They are often regarded as the UK's Infocom. Like
Infocom, they have moved with the times to graphic adventures, but
unlike Infocom they have managed to retain their fans.

----------------------------------------
3.1 Games

%T Guild of Thieves
%D
%C Magnetic Scrolls
%A
%S
%Z

%T Pawn
%D
%C Magnetic Scrolls
%A
%S
%Z

%T Fish
%D
%C Magnetic Scrolls
%A
%S
%Z

%T Jinxter
%D
%C Magnetic Scrolls
%A
%S
%Z

%T Wonderland
%D
%C Magnetic Scrolls
%A
%S
%Z

%T Corruption
%D
%C Magnetic Scrolls
%A
%S
%Z

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4. Legend Entertainment

A spin-off from Infocom.

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4.1 Spellcasting

%T Spellcasting 101: Sorcerers Get All The Girls
%C Legend
%D 1990
%A Steve Meretzky
%S Wizard's College.
%Z A graphical adventure, but with an option to play text-only.

%T Spellcasting 201: The Sorcerer's Appliance
%C Legend
%D 1992
%A Steve Meretzky
%S Wizard's College.
%Z A graphical adventure, but with an option to play text-only.

%T Spellcasting 301
%C Legend
%D 1992
%A Steve Meretzky
%S
%Z A graphical adventure, but with an option to play text-only.

----------------------------------------
4.2 Other Games

%T Timequest
%C Legend
%D 1991
%A Dave Anderson
%S
%Z

%T Gateway
%C Legend
%D 1992
%A Dave Anderson
%A F. Pohl
%S
%Z Based on Pohl's book of the same name.

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41. Miscellaneous Companies

Companies listed here are Penguin, Accolade, Interplay, Activision,
Lucasfilm, Broderbund.

----------------------------------------
41. Miscellaneous Games

%T Oo Topus
%D
%C Penguin
%A Michael Berlyn
%S
%Z May not be adventure

%T Cyborg
%D 82?
%C
%A Michael Berlyn
%S
%Z May not be adventure

%T Tass Times In Tonetown
%D 1986
%C Interplay
%A Michael Berlyn
%A Muffy Berlyn
%S
%Z May not be adventure

%T Dr. Dumont's Wild P.A.R.T.I.
%D
%C First Row
%A Michael Berlyn
%S
%Z May not be adventure

%T Altered Destiny
%D
%C Accolade
%A Michael Berlyn
%S
%Z May not be adventure

%T Leather Goddesses of Phobos 2: The Gas Pump Girls
%D 1992
%C Activision
%A Steve Meretzky
%S
%Z Graphics only, generally accepted as not as good as the original.

%T Loom
%C Lucasfilm
%D 1990
%A Brian Moriarty
%S
%Z

%T Kabul Spy
%C Broderbund
%D
%A
%S
%Z

%T Advent
%C Never commercially released.
%D ?
%A Crowther
%A Woods
%S Examining an underground world.
%Z The original adventure game.

%T TimeQuest
%C
%D
%A
%S
%Z

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42. Credits

Nathan.T...@vuw.ac.nz (Nathan Torkington), htc@dcl-nxt01 (htc),
Doh...@Germanistik.hu-berlin.dbp.de (Paul David Doherty),
bo...@cs.buffalo.edu (Daniel F. Boyd).

[Nathan Torkington]

D'oh! An addendum to that is that a lot of my data for Infocom came
from the information distributed with the ITF interpreter. Especially
the list given by dpsh...@eos.ncsu.edu whose name I forgot to include
in the "thanks" list.

My apologies;

Nat

[Ron Dippold]

gn...@kauri.vuw.ac.nz (Nathan Torkington) writes:
>%T Spellcasting 301

That's "Spellcasting 301: Spring Break".

>%T Oo Topus

Oo-Topos, I think.

>%T Cyborg
>%D 82?
>%C
>%A Michael Berlyn
>%S
>%Z May not be adventure

It is.

>%T Tass Times In Tonetown
>%D 1986
>%C Interplay
>%A Michael Berlyn
>%A Muffy Berlyn
>%S
>%Z May not be adventure

It is.

--
"Remember that every Communist government in Easter Europe fell in 100 days.
Now it's our turn here in the United States of America."
-- Al Gore, looking forward to his 100 days

[KP2 KP2]

nice list

[kyonshi]

On 9/24/2023 2:55 AM, KP2 KP2 wrote:
> nice list

nice feat of necromancy, but I'm not sure Mr. Torkington will see this
31 years later :D

[Kerr-Mudd, John]

I like that it took you 3 months to notice. Me, I'm looking forward
to the Great Google Switchoff.


--
Bah, and indeed Humbug.

[Yosemite Sam]

I orefei to get noticed twice a week by attractive girl machine.

What is the difference between this

%T Shogun
%D 1989
%C Infocom/Activision
%A James Clavell
%A Dave Lebling
%S
%Z Graphics.

and this with a thumbnail to decide if it was the game about Japanese shogunates I played before. That's not relevant, hope that Nathan didn't write that introduction in pure fiction in order to cause caterpillars to do strange things to people's mouths as thethe plays in the background. Will the villain bash his flesh on his own garage contents as he seeks to escape the arriving SWAT team. Then say no, we're back from big sky country.

That's the gane alright. Madness. Sixty-nine wys to clip paper to the clothesline for slicing with wakizashi. Don't hit yourself because of the weight of the shortsword. Or should I say yes, a SWAT team.

See how much better it is if you like to get noticed once a week?
--
Jenine Abarbanel

[Diabolical Archer]

Greetings and Hallucinations, Jenine. Nathan has a great work ethic and is not likely to have manipulated the servers. If he did, it was the work of his interstellar peers, long and steeped in tradition. You use a thread to sew and there is nothing other than woolen fibers conducting the passage between two fulcrums. Jenine turns to me one day. I'm surprised how many cute guys there are in the ranks. Such as Frank Douglass, affectionately known as 'Rank'. Yeah he sweats a lot. Jenine's dog, Billy Ray Cohen has ichor and lozenge. I had the misfortune of meeting h unlabeled and half of what was given to me. From the getgo I was dematerielized. I says to the guy I shared the other half with, `I expected sedation.'