Adventureland 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. Hans Persson unicorn@lysator.liu.se This version created Sat Feb 6 20:20:41 1999 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. I'll use this only if I haven't seen the game or have forgotten how it looked. 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. This category is on its way out. 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 Trek Adventure Type: TO Written by Bob Retelle in Basic. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * OSI * ZX81 * TI-99/4A * TRS-80 * TRS-80 Color * VIC-20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Derelict Type: TO Written by Rodger Olsen and Bob Anderson in Basic. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * OSI * ZX81 * TI-99/4A * TRS-80 * TRS-80 Color * VIC-20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pyramid Type: TO/CG Written 1984 by Rodger Olsen in Basic. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * MC10 * OSI * PC * TI-99/4A * TRS-80 Model I * TRS-80 Model III * TRS-80 Color * VIC-20 * ZX81 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 * ZX81 * TI-99/4A * PC * TRS-80 * TRS-80 Color * VIC-20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Paranoids Anonymous Type: TO Written in Basic. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * OSI * ZX81 * TI-99/4A * TRS-80 * TRS-80 Color * VIC-20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Escape from Mars Type: TO Written by Rodger Olsen in Basic. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * OSI * ZX81 * TI-99/4A * TRS-80 * TRS-80 Color * VIC-20 Notes: This might be the same game as Mars. ====================================================================== 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 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 are distributed by Activision, Inc. Mindfighter Type: G Written 1988 by Fergus McNeill. Runs on: * Amiga * Amstrad * Atari ST * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Notes: At least the Commodore 64 version of this came with a book. ====================================================================== Access Software Homepage: http://www.accesssoftware.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Adventure Countdown Written 1988 by Fergus McNeill. Tex Murphy Amazon: Guardians of Eden Written 1988 by Fergus McNeill. ====================================================================== Acclaim They distribute Pulse. ====================================================================== 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 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 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 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 Written 1990 by Steve Cartwright. Runs on: * PC Notes: Icon-based user interface. This is a sequel to Les Manley in: Search for the King. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Don't Go Alone Written 1990 by Steve Cartwright. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Conspiracy Written 1990 by Steve Cartwright. ====================================================================== 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 Written 1982 by Peter Killworth. Runs on: * BBC For more information, see Mainframe adventures and Topologika Ltd. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kingdom of Hamil Written 1982 by Peter Killworth. 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 Written 1982 by Peter Killworth. Runs on: * BBC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Castle of Riddles Type: TO Written 1982 by Peter Killworth. 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 Written 1982 by Peter Killworth. Runs on: * BBC For more information, see Mainframe adventures. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Seventh Star Type: TO Written 1982 by Peter Killworth. Runs on: * BBC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Gateway to Karos Type: TO Written 1983 by D. L. Haslam. Runs on: * BBC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Spooky Manor Written 1983 by D. L. Haslam. Runs on: * BBC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Mini Written 1983 by D. L. Haslam. Runs on: * BBC Notes: Only available in a compilation with Caves and Roman. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Caves Written 1983 by D. L. Haslam. Runs on: * BBC Notes: Only available in a compilation with Mini and Roman. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Roman Written 1983 by D. L. Haslam. 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 Written 1986 by Rob Swigart and Brad Fregger. 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Lost Treasures of Infocom II Written 1992 by Steve Meretzky. 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Classic Text Adventure Masterpieces Written 1992 by Steve Meretzky. Runs on: * PC * 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 (former director of the CIA) and Oleg Kalougin (former major general of the KGB). Notes: Comes on three CDs. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Santa Fe Mysteries: The Elk Moon Murder Written 1996 by William Colby (former director of the CIA) and Oleg Kalougin (former major general of the KGB). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Santa Fe Mysteries: Sacred Ground Type: VIDEO Written 1996. Notes: Comes on two CDs. ====================================================================== Addison-Wesley 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. ====================================================================== 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 Universe Unventure These games occur in the future of the Unnkulian world and are set in a science fiction environment. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Founded by Scott Adams (msadams@pcii.net). All the adventures in the Scott Adams Classic Adventures, Others and Questprobe series use the same datafile and interpreter format and can be run using the ScottFree interpreter found on ftp.gmd.de. His games are mainly verb-noun, but had exciting plots and were well-designed. The TRS-80 driver was written by Scott Adams, while the Apple II and Commodore 64 drivers were written by 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. They (at least some of them) were originally written in BASIC. The interpreter used depended a lot upon who released the game. There are at least two different interpreters for the Commodore 64. Some of the games were released for the Exidy Sorcerer computer. 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. Contrary to popular beliefs, none of Scott Adams' games have been released to the public domain. The Basic versions of Adventureland (date?) and Pirate Adventure (December 1980) were printed in Byte Magazine in an article by Scott Adams, but are still copyrighted. The copyrights for the games were part of the Adventure International bankruptcy proceedings when Adventure International went bankrupt in 1985 and were taken over by the bank (what bank? - I'd like to contact them). Recently, however, Scott Adams put the games up for download from his own homepage. Scott Adams is currently (January 1996) rewriting Adventureland in a new interpreter for Windows 95. 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) come 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. They 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... Homepage: http://www.pcii.net/~msadams/ They distribute Howarth, Brian and Chameleon Software. For more information, see Alternate Source, The. Scott Adams Classic Adventures These games were rereleased in 1982 with graphics [BG] as Scott Adams Graphic Adventures (SAGA). 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. Questprobe The adventures in this series features characters from Marvel Comics. According to Scott Adams, the deal was for a dozen games (I seem to remember having read in some magazine that it was supposed to be four or five) but Adventure International went out of business while game number four was being written. There was also a series of comic books published along with the games (three in all). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. Other Ventures These games use a different data file format than the Scott Adams games. For more information, see Med Systems Software. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Written 1983 by Cliff Johnson and Allen Pinero. Bob Lafore - Interactive Fiction Written 1983 by Cliff Johnson and Allen Pinero. Package blurb: You become a main character & your income directs the outcome. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- James Talley - Kid-Venture Written 1983 by Cliff Johnson and Allen Pinero. ====================================================================== 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] * 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. ====================================================================== 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 U. S. Gold. 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 * Commodore 64 Notes: Based on a Fighting Fantasy book. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Blizzard Pass Type: BG Written by Alan Cox. Runs on: * Spectrum 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 Notes: Based on a story by Isaac Asimov. Comments: In the 23rd century, you must overthrow the evil Lord Kayleth. ====================================================================== 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 Written 1984. Runs on: * Oric-1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Zodiac Written 1984. Runs on: * Oric-1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Horror Castle Type: TO Written 1984. Runs on: * Dragon Comments: Yet another round of "saving the princess". ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Shrinking Professor Written 1984. Runs on: * BBC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pharoah's Tomb Written 1984. ====================================================================== Airwave Adventures The Case of the Cautious Condor Type: G Written 1984. Runs on: * Amiga * Commodore CD32 Notes: Comic strip graphics, no text. Comments: Detective story in the 1930s. ====================================================================== 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 Crown Jewels Written 1984. Runs on: * BBC ====================================================================== Alpine They changed their name either to or from Summit Software. Cops Written 1984. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Plague Planet (possibly Plagued Planet) Written 1984. ====================================================================== 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 Lifeterm Type: BG Written 1987 by C. A. Sharp in Graphic Adventure Creator. Runs on: * Commodore 64 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 1987 by C. A. Sharp in Graphic Adventure Creator. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Notes: This might not have been released separately - see below. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Wiz Biz Written 1987 by C. A. Sharp in Graphic Adventure Creator. Runs on: * Commodore 64 Notes: This might not have been released separately - see below. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Star Wreck Written 1987 by C. A. Sharp in Graphic Adventure Creator. Runs on: * Commodore 64 Notes: This might not have been released separately - see below. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 Most Adventure Written 1987 by C. A. Sharp in Graphic Adventure Creator. Notes: Compilation of Lifeterm, S. M. A. S. H. E. D., Wiz Biz, and Star Wreck. ====================================================================== American Eagle Probably a distributor. They distribute Phoenix Software. For more information, see Med Systems Software. ====================================================================== 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'd finest adventures. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Stephen King's The Mist 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'd 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 Written 1985 by M. J. Sayer. Runs on: * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- James Bond 007 in: Goldfinger Written 1985 by M. J. Sayer. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Indiana Jones in: Revenge of the Ancients Written 1985 by M. J. Sayer. Runs on: * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dick Francis: High Stakes Written 1985 by M. J. Sayer. Runs on: * PC ====================================================================== Anirog Catacombs Type: G/MUSIC Written 1985 by M. J. Sayer. 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 Written 1985 by M. J. Sayer. Runs on: * Amiga Notes: In German. ====================================================================== 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 Robocity Type: CG Written 1984 by Pete Torrance in Quill. Runs on: * Commodore 64 Comments: Robots have taken over the Earth but need human guidance. Enter one poor countess, who is kidnapped. Save her! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Detective Game Written 1986 by Sam Jay and Paul Jay. Runs on: * Commodore 64 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Valley Written 1986 by Sam Jay and Paul Jay. Runs on: * Oric-1 Comments: Dungeons & Dragons style adventure set in a mystical valley. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The White Barrows Written 1986 by Sam Jay and Paul Jay. Runs on: * Oric-1 ====================================================================== Ariolasoft They distribute PK Soft. ====================================================================== Art Department Das Telekommando kehrt zurück Type: IG Written 1986 by Sam Jay and Paul Jay. Runs on: * Amiga Notes: In German. Promotional game. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Bifi II - Action in Hollywood Type: IG Written 1986 by Sam Jay and Paul Jay. Runs on: * Amiga Notes: In German. Promotional game. ====================================================================== Artic Computing All their games had a two word parser and used a small game driver. 1: Planet of Death Written 1986 by Sam Jay and Paul Jay. Runs on: * Amstrad * Commodore 64 * Spectrum * ZX81 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2: Inca Curse Type: TO Written 1986 by Sam Jay and Paul Jay. Runs on: * Amstrad * Commodore 64 * Spectrum * ZX81 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3: The Ship of Doom Written 1982. Runs on: * Amstrad * Commodore 64 * Spectrum * ZX81 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 4: Espionage Island Written 1982. Runs on: * Amstrad * Commodore 64 * Spectrum * ZX81 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 5: The Golden Apple Type: DG Written 1982. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Notes: This game introduced graphics and had a slightly better parser. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dead at the Controls Type: DG Written 1985. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * Spectrum 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 Comments: Unusually serious adventure about surviving a nuclear war. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kingdom of Speldome Written 1984 by Colin Smith in The Quill. Runs on: * Amstrad ====================================================================== Artworx Gwendolyn Type: CG Written before 1984 by Marc Russell Benioff. Runs on: * Atari 8-bit Notes: It had some animation and sound effects. ====================================================================== ASP Software 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. 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 Velnor's Lair Type: TO Written in Basic. Runs on: * Commodore 64 Notes: This had a few RPG elements. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dungeons, Amethysts, Alchemists n' Everythin' / DAA-Adventure Type: G Written 1991. Runs on: * Amiga ====================================================================== ATOD Homepage: http://www.atod.se/ They are distributed by Firebird. Hampte Dampte Written 1987. Runs on: * Spectrum Comments: A puzzle adventure. ====================================================================== Attic They later changed their name to Dragonware. Hellowoon Type: G Written 1987. Runs on: * Amiga Notes: In German. Comments: One of the first German text adventures with some graphics. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ooze - Als die Geister mürbe wurden Type: BG Written 1989 by Guy Henkel and H. J. Braendle. Runs on: * Amiga Comments: Horror adventure. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ooze - Creepy Nites Written 1989 by Guy Henkel and H. J. Braendle. Runs on: * Amiga Notes: English (improved) version of Ooze - Als die Geister mürbe wurden ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Die Drachen von Laas (The Dragons of Laas) Written 1989. Runs on: * Amiga Notes: In German. An English version called Lassian Plague(?) was planned but might never have been programmed/published. Has some role-playing elements. Comments: Two young heroes set out to defeat a menace. ====================================================================== Audiogenic For more information, see Radarsoft. ====================================================================== Automata UK Ltd Pimania Type: G Written in Basic. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * Spectrum * ZX81 Notes: Apparently, there was some kind of competition connected to this game where you could win a sundial valued at Ł6000. Comments: Not exactly an adventure as such, most odd game. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Crusoe Type: G Written in Basic. Runs on: * 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Groucho Written in Basic. 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 by John Winnie and Stanley Baronett, Jr. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit * TRS-80 Model I * TRS-80 Model III Notes: Rid a desolate, suffering land of the evil 'overmind'. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- G. F. S. Sorceress Written 1982. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit * TRS-80 Model I * TRS-80 Model III Comments: Pretty good game. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Lords of Karma Type: TO Written 1983 or 1984. Runs on: * Atari 8-bit * Commodore 64 * Commodore PET Notes: The adverts for this game had the subtitle "Why, it's better than food." ====================================================================== Avant-Garde Creations Chambers of Xenobia Type: G Written 1981 by Steven Sacks. Runs on: * Apple II ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Race for Midnight Type: G Written 1981 by Steven Sacks. Runs on: * Apple II ====================================================================== Aventuras Dinamic Chichen-Itzá Written 1981 by Steven Sacks. Runs on: * Amiga * Amstrad * Atari ST * PC * Spectrum Notes: Written in Spanish. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Jabato Written 1981 by Steven Sacks. Runs on: * Amiga * Amstrad * Atari ST * PC * Spectrum Notes: Written in Spanish. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- La aventura espacial Written 1981 by Steven Sacks. Runs on: * Amiga * Amstrad * Atari ST * PC * Spectrum Notes: Written in Spanish. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- La aventura original Written 1981 by Steven Sacks. Runs on: * Amiga * Amstrad * Atari ST * PC * Spectrum Notes: Written in Spanish. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- La diosa de Cozumel Written 1981 by Steven Sacks. Runs on: * Amiga * Amstrad * Atari ST * PC * Spectrum Notes: Written in Spanish. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Templos Sagrados Written 1981 by Steven Sacks. Runs on: * Amiga * Amstrad * Atari ST * PC * Spectrum Notes: Written in Spanish. ====================================================================== Bantam Imagic Living Literature ====================================================================== Baudville Software Dream Zone Type: IG/TEXT/MUSIC Written 1988 by Andy Gavin and Jason Rubin. Runs on: * Amiga * Apple IIGS * PC ====================================================================== Beyond 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sorderon's Shadow Type: BG Written 1988 by Andy Gavin and Jason Rubin. Runs on: * Spectrum 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. ====================================================================== Binary Illusions Flight of the Amazon Queen Type: IG Written 1988 by Don MacLeod in (heavily modified) Quill. Runs on: * Amiga * PC ====================================================================== Blue Ribbon Secret Sam Mission 2 Written 1988 by Don MacLeod in (heavily modified) Quill. Runs on: * BBC ====================================================================== Boldfield Limited Company Black Island Adventure Written 1984 by Phil Collins and Geoffrey Walker. Runs on: * Jupiter Ace ====================================================================== Bomico Project Prometheus Written 1984 by Phil Collins and Geoffrey Walker. Runs on: * Amiga Notes: In German. ====================================================================== Brřderbund Software They are located at 500 Redwood Blvd., Novato, California, 94948, USA. Brřderbund 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. Brřderbund recently (1998) merged with The Learning Company. Homepage: http://www.broderbund.com/ They distribute Synapse Software, Ultrasoft 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. ====================================================================== Buffer Micros Mysterious Fairground Written in The Quill. Runs on: * Spectrum ====================================================================== Bug-Byte Twin Kingdom Valley Type: DG Written 1983 by Trevor Hall. Runs on: * BBC * Commodore 16 * Commodore 64 * Spectrum 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 Written 1983 by Chris Cannon. Runs on: * Oric-1 * Spectrum ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Old Father Time Written 1983 by Chris Cannon. Runs on: * BBC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dragonquest Written 1983 by Chris Cannon. Runs on: * BBC ====================================================================== Bytepack James Bond: Octopussy Written 1992. Runs on: * Spectrum Notes: In Slovakian. ====================================================================== 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. ====================================================================== Carnell Software Black Crystal Type: G Written in Basic. Runs on: * Spectrum Notes: Divided into six parts. You move your character with the arrow keys. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Wrath of Magra Written by Roy Carnell. Notes: Divided into four parts. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Volcanic Dungeon Written 1981. Runs on: * ZX81 Notes: Distributed on the same cassette as Hangman. ====================================================================== Cascade Mountain Publishing Homepage: http://www.cascadepublishing.com/ 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. ====================================================================== Castleworks Gameware Slogan: "The innovation behind your imagination" They are distributed by Merit Software. Kronolog - The Nazi Paradox (also known as Red Hell) Written by Michael Berlyn and Muffy McClung Berlyn. 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 disadter. 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 Journey Across the Abyss Written 1984. Runs on: * Spectrum ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Staff of Zaranol Written 1984. Runs on: * Spectrum ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Diamond Quest Written 1984. Runs on: * Spectrum ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1942 Mission Written 1984 or earlier. Runs on: * Spectrum 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 * Oric-1 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 * Oric-1 Notes: A graphic version might have been released in 1985. Had a good multiple word parser. Comments: Fairly small but almost impossible. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ? Written by Colm McCarthy. Comments: A third game might have been released in 1985. ====================================================================== 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. ====================================================================== Channel 8 Company specializing in adventure games. They distribute Howarth, Brian. ====================================================================== Chymesoft Captain's Log Type: TO Written by Colm McCarthy. Runs on: * Oric-1 Comments: Sci-fi adventure. ====================================================================== Cinemaware They are distributed by Mindscape, Inc. It Came From the Desert Written by Colm McCarthy. Runs on: * Amiga * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- King of Chicago Written by Colm McCarthy. Runs on: * Amiga * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sinbad and the Throne of Falcon Written by Colm McCarthy. Runs on: * Amiga * PC ====================================================================== Cobra Computer Software Jolly Duplicator Written 1987. Runs on: * Spectrum ====================================================================== Codemasters Company owned and operated by two brothers that 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. 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. Necris Dome Type: DG Written 1987 by Charles Sharp in GAC. Runs on: * Amstrad * Commodore 64 Comments: "The leader of a cemetery in orbit around Earth plans to attack Earth. You must stop him." ====================================================================== Cognetics Corporation 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 had 4 or 5 disks to it. The game was huge. 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 Asterix im Morgenland Type: IG Written 1983-1986 by Thomas M. Disch [story] and Kevin Bentley [programming] in KingEdward. Runs on: * Amiga ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 20000 Meilen unter dem Meer Type: IG Written 1983-1986 by Thomas M. Disch [story] and Kevin Bentley [programming] in KingEdward. Runs on: * Amiga * PC Notes: Also available in English. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Indian Mission Type: IG Written 1983-1986 by Thomas M. Disch [story] and Kevin Bentley [programming] in KingEdward. Runs on: * Amiga ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Mewilo Type: IG Written 1983-1986 by Thomas M. Disch [story] and Kevin Bentley [programming] in KingEdward. Runs on: * Amiga Comments: A voodoo adventure in the caribbeans. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Lt. Blueberry Type: IG Written 1983-1986 by Thomas M. Disch [story] and Kevin Bentley [programming] in KingEdward. Runs on: * Amiga Notes: From the comic book. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Legend of Djel Type: IG Written 1983-1986 by Thomas M. Disch [story] and Kevin Bentley [programming] in KingEdward. Runs on: * Amiga * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Emanuelle Type: IG Written 1983-1986 by Thomas M. Disch [story] and Kevin Bentley [programming] in KingEdward. Runs on: * Amiga * PC Comments: Adult game. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Geisha Type: IG Written 1983-1986 by Thomas M. Disch [story] and Kevin Bentley [programming] in KingEdward. Runs on: * Amiga * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Fascination Type: IG Written 1983-1986 by Thomas M. Disch [story] and Kevin Bentley [programming] in KingEdward. Runs on: * Amiga * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ween Type: IG Written 1983-1986 by Thomas M. Disch [story] and Kevin Bentley [programming] in KingEdward. Runs on: * Amiga * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dargon Attack Type: IG Written 1983-1986 by Thomas M. Disch [story] and Kevin Bentley [programming] in KingEdward. Runs on: * Amiga ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Gobliiins Type: IG Written 1983-1986 by Thomas M. Disch [story] and Kevin Bentley [programming] in KingEdward. Runs on: * Amiga * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Gobliins II Type: IG Written 1983-1986 by Thomas M. Disch [story] and Kevin Bentley [programming] in KingEdward. Runs on: * Amiga * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Goblins III Type: IG Written 1983-1986 by Thomas M. Disch [story] and Kevin Bentley [programming] in KingEdward. Runs on: * Amiga * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Inca Written 1983-1986 by Thomas M. Disch [story] and Kevin Bentley [programming] in KingEdward. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Inca 2 Written 1983-1986 by Thomas M. Disch [story] and Kevin Bentley [programming] in KingEdward. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Lost in Time Written 1983-1986 by Thomas M. Disch [story] and Kevin Bentley [programming] in KingEdward. ====================================================================== Colleen Ltd Mystery Voyage Adventure Type: TO Written 1983-1986 by Thomas M. Disch [story] and Kevin Bentley [programming] in KingEdward. Runs on: * Commodore 64 Notes: Divided into three parts. ====================================================================== Collins The Mystery of the Marie Celeste Written by Jim Gregory. Runs on: * Commodore 16 Notes: Published in listing form in the book "Commodore 16 Games Book" (Which also includes hints on writing your own adventures). ====================================================================== Commodore They released a few of the Infocom games in separate (boring) packaging, lacking most of the things found in the real versions. They distribute Infocom. 1: The Mutant Spiders Type: TO Written in Basic. Runs on: * Commodore 64 Comments: Some spiders have mutated and threaten to take over the world. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3: The Fourth Sarcophagus Type: TO Written in Basic. Runs on: * Commodore 64 Comments: "Treasure hunt set in Egypt. Pretty bad." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Ship Type: TO Written in Basic. Runs on: * Commodore 64 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Quest Type: TO Written 1984 by A. D. Ives. Runs on: * Commodore 64 Comments: Find the creator of Earth and reunite him with his source of power. Has a Colossal Cave-type setting, with around 120 rooms. ====================================================================== Compute!'s Gazette This was a magazine that published numerous program listings. All the games under this heading were published in listing form and had to be typed in by the user. I think that it was possible to order disks, though. Vampire Hunter Written 1984 by A. D. Ives. Notes: Published in the May 1986 issue. ====================================================================== Comsoft Serpent's Lair Written 1984 by A. D. Ives. Runs on: * BBC ====================================================================== Cookies Under the Floor Lost Written by Jeffrey Hersh (frumple@aol.com) in TADS. Runs on: * TADS Notes: Shareware. ====================================================================== Core Design Universe Type: MCG Written 1994 by Jeremy Heath-Smith [producer], Martin Iveson [music], Gary Antcliff [programmer], Gary Antcliff [Additional ideas], Stuart Atkinson [Additional ideas], Stuart Atkinson [Sprites artist], Gary "Jim" Bottomley-Mason [Sprites artist], Gary "Jim" Bottomley-Mason [Game design], Rolf Mohr [Game design], Gary "Jim" Bottomley-Mason [In-game text], Gary "Jim" Bottomley-Mason [manual], Rolf Mohr [Background artist], Rolf Mohr [Original game idea], Rolf Mohr [Additional text] and Rolf Mohr [Box art]. Runs on: * Amiga * Commodore CD32 * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Curse of Enchantia Type: IG Written 1994 by Jeremy Heath-Smith [producer], Martin Iveson [music], Gary Antcliff [programmer], Gary Antcliff [Additional ideas], Stuart Atkinson [Additional ideas], Stuart Atkinson [Sprites artist], Gary "Jim" Bottomley-Mason [Sprites artist], Gary "Jim" Bottomley-Mason [Game design], Rolf Mohr [Game design], Gary "Jim" Bottomley-Mason [In-game text], Gary "Jim" Bottomley-Mason [manual], Rolf Mohr [Background artist], Rolf Mohr [Original game idea], Rolf Mohr [Additional text] and Rolf Mohr [Box art]. Runs on: * Amiga * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Heimdall Written 1994 by Jeremy Heath-Smith [producer], Martin Iveson [music], Gary Antcliff [programmer], Gary Antcliff [Additional ideas], Stuart Atkinson [Additional ideas], Stuart Atkinson [Sprites artist], Gary "Jim" Bottomley-Mason [Sprites artist], Gary "Jim" Bottomley-Mason [Game design], Rolf Mohr [Game design], Gary "Jim" Bottomley-Mason [In-game text], Gary "Jim" Bottomley-Mason [manual], Rolf Mohr [Background artist], Rolf Mohr [Original game idea], Rolf Mohr [Additional text] and Rolf Mohr [Box art]. Runs on: * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Heimdall 2 Written 1994 by Jeremy Heath-Smith [producer], Martin Iveson [music], Gary Antcliff [programmer], Gary Antcliff [Additional ideas], Stuart Atkinson [Additional ideas], Stuart Atkinson [Sprites artist], Gary "Jim" Bottomley-Mason [Sprites artist], Gary "Jim" Bottomley-Mason [Game design], Rolf Mohr [Game design], Gary "Jim" Bottomley-Mason [In-game text], Gary "Jim" Bottomley-Mason [manual], Rolf Mohr [Background artist], Rolf Mohr [Original game idea], Rolf Mohr [Additional text] and Rolf Mohr [Box art]. Runs on: * PC ====================================================================== Cosmi The President is Missing Type: IG Written 1988. Runs on: * Amiga * Commodore 64 * PC Notes: The packaging includes a cassette. Comments: The president of the USA and some more western presidents get kidnapped by terrorists. It is your job to investigate and solve the mystery. ====================================================================== Creative Sparks They distribute Oxford Digital Enterprises. Danger Mouse in Black Forest Chateau Type: BG/CHOICE Written 1984. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Notes: Aimed at kids. Based on a comic book character. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Danger Mouse in Double Trouble Type: BG/CHOICE Written 1984. Runs on: * Spectrum Notes: Aimed at kids. Based on a comic book character. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Danger Mouse in Making Whoopee Type: BG/CHOICE Written 1985. Runs on: * Spectrum Notes: Aimed at kids. Based on a comic book character. ====================================================================== CRL Group PLC Based in King's Yard. It was run by Clement Chambers and Ian Ellery. Homepage: http://home.virtual-pc.com/isblpx/crl.html They distribute Delta 4 Software. Dracula Type: BG/MUSIC Written 1986 by Rod Pike in The Quill. Runs on: * Amstrad * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Comments: Written in the first person. This was the first adventure game to be awarded a film censorship rating (15 years) in Britain. Divided into three parts: the first contains the journey to the castle, the second Jonathan Harker's experiences in the castle, and the third the killing of the count after his journey to England. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Very Big Cave Adventure Type: BG Written 1986 by St. Bride's School in The Quill and The Illustrator. Runs on: * Amstrad * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Notes: Divided into two parts. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack the Ripper Type: BG Written 1988 by St. Bride's School. Runs on: * Amstrad * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Notes: In three parts. Comments: CRL tries to outdo Rod Pike's Dracula (released by themselves!) in gory details. 3 parts follows a man on the run, because people think he is Jack the Ripper, who is on the loose killing prostitutes in London. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Murder off Miami Type: BG Written 1987 by Fergus McNeill and Jason Somerville. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * Spectrum ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Causes of Chaos Type: TO Written by Mike Taylor in Compiled Basic. Runs on: * Commodore 64 Comments: "I believe it was the first multi-player adventure for the Commodore 64, though this had to be achieved by the players taking turns. In all honesty, I doubt anyone really played it like that, but it was a good single-player adventure anyway." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pilgrim Type: TO Written 1986 by Rod Pike in The Quill. Runs on: * Commodore 64 Comments: Post-nuclear war setting has player trying to reach the end, where he discovers something called Earth. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Wolfman Type: TO Written 1988 by Rod Pike in The Quill. Runs on: * Amstrad * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Comments: Man wakes up to discover that he has just slaughtered a young girl - he is the Wolfman! He must make his way to a faraway temple where he can be cured. In sections of the 3 parts, you control his newfound love interest instead of him. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Frankenstein Type: TO Written 1987 by Rod Pike in GAC. Runs on: * Amstrad * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Notes: In three parts. Comments: Based on the book (with Pike's usual high gore quotient!) In three parts, of which the last (very fascinating) part takes the monsters viewpoint, from creation till death. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Secret of St. Brides Type: TO/MUSIC Written 1985 by Priscilla Langridge in Quill. Runs on: * Amstrad * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Comments: A girl is taken back in time to a 1920's girl school and must escape across the countryside. Strange game, this one (elephants in the basement etc.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Bugsy Type: DG Written 1986 by Priscilla Langridge in Quill. Runs on: * Amstrad * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Comments: Humorous 2-parter follows the adventures of Bugsy, a small-time mobster rabbit (!) trying to bribe, steal and blackmail his way to the top of the "Public Enemy"-list in 1920's Chicago. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Book of the Dead Written 1987. Runs on: * Spectrum Notes: In two parts. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Loads of Midnight Written 1987. Notes: In three parts. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Tomb of Dracula Written 1983. Runs on: * Spectrum ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Woods of Winter Written 1984. ====================================================================== Cryo Interactive They were earlier called Exxos. For more information, see Exxos. Atlantis: The Lost Tales Written 1984. Notes: Also available on DVD. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dragon Lore Written 1984. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dragon Lore 2 Written 1997. Notes: This games comes on three CDs. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dune Written 1997. Notes: Comes on one CD. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Treasure Hunter Written 1997. Notes: Available in both English and French. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ring Written 1998. Notes: Based on Wagner's opera The Ring of the Nibelungen. It comes on six CDs. Available in English, French, and Greek (only subtitles). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Lost Eden Written 1998. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Egypt 1156 B. C.: Tomb of the Pharaoh Written 1998. Notes: Available in English, French, Greek. ====================================================================== Crystalware They put out many graphic adventures for Apple II and Atari 8-bit. The company still exists (1998). Homepage: http://members.tripod.com/~Crystalware/ Fantasyland 2041 A. D. Type: G Written 1998. Notes: This came on six disks. Comments: It was a masterpiece for its day. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sands of Mars Written 1998. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Clonus 2049 AD Type: 3D Written 1998?. Comments: This is set in a post-apocolyptic world where the player has been brought into the far future, chosen to destroy the cyborg nation and reclaim safety for human kind in the once more. ====================================================================== Cyan They are distributed by Brřderbund Software and Red Orb Entertainment. Myst Type: PnC Written 1993?. Runs on: * Macintosh * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Riven Type: PnC Written 1997?. Runs on: * PC Notes: This is a sequel to Myst. It comes on five CDs. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Myst Desktop Edition Written 1997?. Notes: This was released to celebrate Myst's fifth anniversary. It contains Myst (1 CD), Myst Screen Saver (1 CD), Myst manual, Myst Mousepad, and a Brřderbund registration form. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ages of Myst Written 1997?. Notes: This was released to celebrate Myst's fifth anniversary. It contains Myst (1 CD), Riven: The Sequel to Myst (5 CDs), The Making of Riven (1 CD), Myst manual (20 pages), Riven manual (26 pages), Personal Journal, Brřderbund Troubleshooting Guide (8 pages), Myst Troubleshooting Guide (4 pages), Riven Troubleshooting Guide (2 pages), Artifacts for Riven Brochure, Cyan Items Brochure, Myst Hints (2 pages), Free Myst for Mac coupon, Brřderbund Registration Form, The Journeyman Project 3 advertisment. ====================================================================== Cyberdreams Darkseed Type: MCG/PnC/MUSIC Written 1992 by Mike Dawson and Mike Cranford. Runs on: * Amiga * Commodore CD32 * PC Comments: 'Horror' mystery set in and around a dark and gruesome world based on the drawings of Alien-artist H.R. Giger. Man wakes up in his new house, only to discover that a mirror in the living room is a portal to an alien world, where creatures are planning to conquer our world! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Darkseed II Written 1995 by David Mullich. Runs on: * PC Comments: Widely regarded as one of the worse adventure games of 1995. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream Written by David Mullich. Runs on: * PC Notes: Based on Harlan Ellison's short story of the same name. This game won Computer Gaming World's "Best Adventure Game of the Year" award, and the Computer Game Developers' Associations' Spotlight Award for "Best Adaptation from Linear Media." Also available in Spanish. ====================================================================== Cyco Automatisering Dracula Type: TO Written 1986. Notes: It was commisioned by Cyco Automatisering as a new year's gift. Comments: Horror game. ====================================================================== Danish Adventure Company Wasteland Type: TO Written 1988 by Michael Svendsen in GAC. Runs on: * Commodore 64 Notes: Public Domain Comments: Figure out what is wrong in a village in the desert, and you will soon discover you have to combat an evil lord called Quarrior! ====================================================================== Datamost Earthly Delights Type: TO Written 1984. Runs on: * Apple II ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Mabel's Mansion Type: G Written 1984. Runs on: * Apple II ====================================================================== Datasoft, Inc They are distributed by IntelliCreations and Radio Shack. Sands of Egypt Type: G Written 1983 by Frank Cohen. Runs on: * Apple II * TRS-80 Color ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Dallas Quest Type: BG Written 1984 by James Garon. Runs on: * Atari 8-bit * Commodore 64 [Music] * Apple II * PC [Music] * PCjr * TRS-80 Color Notes: Based on the TV series. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Gunslinger Written 1986. Runs on: * Atari 8-bit ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dark Lord Type: DG/MUSIC/animations Written 1987 by Kyle Freeman [design], Kyle Freeman [programming] and Gary Wilens [music]. Runs on: * Apple II * Commodore 64 Notes: It has some "real-time" puzzles, 16-color "draw and fill" graphics, multi-channel music and animation that continued while you typed. It also had a self-running demo, a tutorial adventure, easy and hard skill levels, and a randomizer replay feature. Distributed by Electronic Arts and later by Hi-Tek Expressions. Comments: A journey through a mirror leads you to the alterworld where you must defeat the Dark Lord Nequam that killed your grandfather. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 221B Baker Street Written 1987. Runs on: * Atari 8-bit * PC ====================================================================== Davka The Lion's Share Type: G Written 1983 by Robert Aaron, Robb Murray, Lawrence Rublin, Reena Yuvkowski and Mike Levine. Runs on: * Apple II ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Philistine Ploy Type: G Written 1983 by Robert Aaron and Alan Rosenbaum. Runs on: * Apple II ====================================================================== Delphine Software They used a system called Cinematique. They also made a large number of action games. They are distributed by Sony Electronic Publishing. Les Voyageurs du Temps / Future Wars - Time Travellers Type: MCG/PnC/MUSIC Written 1989 by Paul Cuisset. Runs on: * Amiga * PC Notes: A CD-rom version of this came out and was distributed by Sony Electronic Publishing. The CD-rom had all the music in the game placed on to the CD (that could be listened to like an audio CD). Comments: Our hero, a simple window washer, suddenly finds himself running around in the Middle Ages and thousands of years into the future, trying to stop two races travelling through time in order to kill each other (and, of course, he has to save the king's daughter, too!). A few arcade sequences. Package blurb: He Resides In The Present... He Has Lived In The Past... And He Must Travel Into The Future... There, he will come face-to-face with the ultimate threat to mankind ... alien beings, with a power great enough to spin a web of deceit and treachery that spans the centuries. Mankind's future depends upon your abilities to crisscross through time, solve intriguing puzzles, successfully combat a wide assortment of mutant monsters and alien storm troopers, and still have time to preform a miraculous rescue of two. So step into the time machine and experience the adventure of several lifetimes. * Best Adventure Game - Enchanted Realms Magazine * Winner of the Best French Adventure Game award from "TILT" magazine * Winner of the Best French Adventure Game award from "Generation 4" magazine * Full animation * Eye-cratching graphics * Easy to use point-and-click interface * Pop-up text and command windows ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Operation Stealth / Ye Stealth Affair Type: MCG/PnC/MUSIC Written 1990 by Paul Cuisset and P. Chastel. Runs on: * Amiga * PC Notes: Released in the US as Ye Stealth Affair. Comments: Secret agent goes to small South American country to locate a new hi-tech plane which has been stolen. Some (annoying) arcade sequences. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Cruise for a Corpse Type: MCG/PnC/MUSIC Written 1991. Runs on: * Amiga * PC Comments: Agatha Christie-type murder mystery set on a cruise ship in the 1920's that has people dropping dead all over the place while the player has to be at the right place at the right time to watch things happen and to question the passengers, before they are killed. It's extremely linear, sometimes very hard and repetitive, but the plot is solid and very good. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Flashback Written 1991. ====================================================================== Delta 4 Software They started the label Abstract Concepts in 1987 for serious adventures. Homepage: http://www.delta4.demon.co.uk/ They are distributed by CRL Group PLC, Macmillan and SilverSoft. For more information, see Abstract Concepts. Sherwood Forest Written 1984 by Fergus McNeill. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Dragonstar Trilogy Written by Fergus McNeill. Runs on: * Spectrum Notes: Divided into three parts. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Quest for the Holy Joystick Written 1985 by Fergus McNeill in The Quill. Runs on: * Spectrum ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Return of the Joystick Written by Fergus McNeill in The Quill. Runs on: * Spectrum ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Bored of the Rings Type: G Written 1985 by Fergus McNeill in The Quill. Runs on: * Amstrad CPC * BBC [Text only] * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Notes: Divided into three parts. Comments: A parody on "Lord of the Rings". This might be based on the book by the same name by The Harvard Lampoon. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Robin of Sherlock Type: G Written by Fergus McNeill in The Quill and The Illustrator. Runs on: * Amstrad CPC * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Notes: Divided into three parts. Comments: A parody on the games Robin of Sherwood by Adventure International and Sherlock by Melbourne House. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Boggit Type: G Written 1985? by Fergus McNeill in The Quill. Runs on: * Amstrad CPC * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Notes: Divided into three parts. Comments: A parody on "The Hobbit". ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Big Sleaze Written 1987 by Fergus McNeill. Runs on: * Amstrad * Spectrum Notes: Divided into three parts. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Colour of Magic Type: BG Written by Fergus McNeill in The Quill and The Illustrator. Runs on: * Amstrad CPC * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Notes: Divided into four parts. Comments: Based on the book of the same title by Terry Pratchett and contains passages straight from the book. ====================================================================== Deltoid Developments Immortality Rules OK Written 1987. Runs on: * Spectrum ====================================================================== Destiny Software Destiny Type: BG/icon-controlled Written 1985 by Jeff Pierce. Runs on: * Commodore 64 ====================================================================== DG Ware Homepage: http://www.dgware.com/ Kingdom of Amphibia Written 1997. Runs on: * Macintosh * PC ====================================================================== Digital Concepts 43035 Hayes Rd. Suite 229 Sterling Heights, MI 48078 (313) 772-1416. Island of Lost Hope Type: BG/SOUND Written 1989 by Michael Dimambro and Don Milosavljevic. Runs on: * Amiga Notes: The screen shows a small graphic of the scene, on-screen mapping, compass and inventory. Comes with manual and disks. Comments: Player must escape small island and board a pirate ship in order to win. Package blurb: You are a young captain searching for the treasure of forgotten souls. Unfortunately in your quest you ran into a band of cutthroat pirates led by the infamous Captain Black. They sink your ship, killing all your crew annd stealing your cargo. You were thrown overboard in the battle and drifted, until washed upon a nearby small island. Now you stand there watching the pirate ship, anchored within sight, as they gloat over their victory. All the resources you had at hand are now lost and only your wits will get you out alive. The treasure seems so distant now and your thoughts are on survival and revenge. Along the way you face numerous obstacles and perils ranging from bloodthirsty pirates to huge snakes. This game is a two-disk graphic text adventure which features a multiple word parser, full keyboard and mouse interface, and a large variety of graphics, animations and sounds. ====================================================================== Digital Fantasia They distribute Howarth, Brian. Beyond the Infinite. Written 1989 by Michael Dimambro and Don Milosavljevic. ====================================================================== Domark Software For more information, see Beyond. Eureka Type: BG/MUSIC/SOUND Written 1984 by Ian Livingstone [story], Donát Kiss and András Császár. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Notes: Divided into five parts (prehistory, roman, medieval, world war II and the present). Since each part was set in a different time, it did not matter which one you played first, although the game wouldn't let you play the fifth part until you had the passwords from solving the other four parts (Prehistory, the sound of a dinosaur: meep meep; Roman, who burned Rome: Nero; Medieval, Who killed Arthur: Mordred; World War II, the name of a record: Anvil Chorus). If you managed to solve it all and could figure out the hidden telephone number to call and the first person to do so before 1985-12-31 would win Ł25.000. If no-one managed to solve the game before then, the money would be distributed among the participating players. The game was solved by 15-year-old Mathew Woodley from the UK 4-5 months before the deadline. A book of maps and hints (written by Ian Livingstone and Mathew Woodley) was published a while after the game was first solved. There was no save command, certain rooms had time limits, there were fighting sequences where you could lose stamina and the game was notorious for killing you. Each part was preceded by an abysmal arcade game in which you could win extra stamina points for the adventure. However, all puzzles in the game are solvable without losing any stamina. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Castle Master Written 1984 by Ian Livingstone [story], Donát Kiss and András Császár. Runs on: * Amiga For more information, see Incentive Software. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dark Side Type: 3D Written 1984 by Ian Livingstone [story], Donát Kiss and András Császár. Runs on: * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Eclipse Type: 3D Written 1984 by Ian Livingstone [story], Donát Kiss and András Császár. Runs on: * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Driller Type: 3D Written 1984 by Ian Livingstone [story], Donát Kiss and András Császár. Runs on: * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less Written 1984 by Ian Livingstone [story], Donát Kiss and András Császár. Runs on: * BBC ====================================================================== Dragon Data This company might have been only a British distributor for games originating on the TRS-80 Color Computer. They sold Black Sanctum from Mark Data Products. ====================================================================== Dream Software The Quest for the Holy Grail Type: DG Written 1984. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Comments: Pathetic and extremely humourless game based on the Python movie. Awful parser, very slow graphics and way, way too easy. For more information, see Mastertronic. ====================================================================== DT Soft Mundo Fantastico Written 1984. Runs on: * Spectrum Notes: In Spanish. ====================================================================== Duckworth Castle Dracula Type: TO Written 1984. Runs on: * Amstrad * BBC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Colossal Cave Adventure Type: TO Written by Peter Gerrard. Runs on: * Amstrad ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Odyssey Type: TO Written by Peter Gerrard. Runs on: * Commodore 64 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Fool's Gold Type: TO Written in Basic. Runs on: * Commodore 64 Comments: Explore some old ruins in the desert. Standard treasure-hunt fare. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Egyptian Adventure Written in Basic. Runs on: * BBC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Underground Adventure Written in Basic. Runs on: * BBC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Tunnel Written in Basic. Runs on: * BBC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Castlemaze Adventure Written in Basic. Runs on: * BBC ====================================================================== Dynabyte Nippon Safes, Inc. Type: IG Written 1992 by Messrs EUCLIDEA s. r. l.. Runs on: * Amiga * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Big Red Adventure Type: IG Written 1992 by Messrs EUCLIDEA s. r. l.. Runs on: * Amiga * Commodore CD32 * PC ====================================================================== Dynamix Dynamix (a excellent company under Jeff Tunnel) was bought by Sierra about 1990/91. From that on their games were released by Sierra under the Dynamix label (Dynamix - Part of the Sierra Family). They are also famous for their flight and action space sims (A10, Red Baron, the Aces Series, Stellar 7, Nova 9, this year (1997) they released Red Baron 2). Homepage: http://www.sierra.com/dynamix/ For more information, see Sierra On-Line, Inc. Rise of the Dragon Type: IG Written 1990 by Jeff Tunnell et al. Runs on: * Amiga * Macintosh * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Heart of China Type: IG Written 1990 by Jeff Tunnell et al. Runs on: * Amiga * Macintosh * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Willy Beamish Type: IG Written 1990 by Jeff Tunnell et al. Runs on: * Amiga * Macintosh * PC ====================================================================== EduWare Services, Inc The adventure games were written by EduWare's Interactive Fantasies division. The company was closed in 1984. Some of the employees went on to form a new company called Electric Transit. Homepage: http://members.aol.com/dmullich/index.html For more information, see Electric Transit. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Mystery House Written 1990 by Jeff Tunnell et al. Runs on: * Apple II Notes: This is the same game that was published by Sierra On-Line. Ken Williams who wrote the game came to EduWare before starting Sierra On-Line. During negotiations with EduWare, he decided that he should start his own software company. So, he broke off negotiations, formed Sierra, and the rest is history. EduWare never actually published "Hi-Res Mystery House" as it was then called, but it was advertised. For more information, see Sierra On-Line, Inc. Prisoner Written 1981 by David Mullich. Runs on: * Apple II ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Prisoner 2 Written 1982 by David Mullich. Runs on: * Apple II * Atari 8-bit * PC The Empire Trilogy ====================================================================== Ego Software Fatal Heritage Type: IG Written 1982 by David Mullich. Runs on: * Amiga Notes: In German. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Flies - Attack on Earth Type: IG Written 1982 by David Mullich. Runs on: * Amiga Notes: In German. ====================================================================== Eighth Day They produced at least six adventures (with The Quill). Quann Tulla Written by Mike Smith and Gary Kelbrick in The Quill. Runs on: * Amstrad ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Faerie Written by Mike Smith and Gary Kelbrick in The Quill. ====================================================================== Eldritch Games Ltd They are distributed by Electronic Arts and Mindscape, Inc. The Hound of Shadow Written 1989. Runs on: * Amiga * Atari ST * PC Notes: Includes Manual, reference card and disks. Comments: It is about a guy who gets a curse on him and discovers more and more of the hideous lore and magic that is now on his back. It is fairly related to H. P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos. Some of the people involved in making this game were also involved in creating "Daughter of Serpents" by Millenium, a graphic rpg/adventure also based on Lovecraft's works. Package blurb: The Hound of Shadowis set in England in the 1920's, a country recovering from the ravages of the Great War, when extremes of wealth and poverty rubbed shoulders, when it was fashionable to cultivate an interest in spiritualism and magic. In the course of the game you become involved with murder, revenge, the occult, daemonic possession and other horrors that should have died a long time ago. You will discover many of the awful things that lurk behind a seemingly humdrum existence, and learn through bitter experience that ignorance really can be bliss. The Hound of Shadow uses the Timeline role-playing system to create a Cthulhu Mythos story, inspired by the works of H. P. Lovecraft and set in the 1920s. ====================================================================== Electric Transit Electric Transit was formed by former employees of EduWare Services, Inc after that was closed in 1984. For more information, see EduWare Services, Inc. Wilderness: A Survival Adventure Type: G Written 1989. Notes: This game became Electronic Arts' first affiliated label product. The game has won a couple of awards, including Family Computing's "Best Graphic Adventure of the Year". ====================================================================== Electronic Arts P. O. Box 7578, San Mateo, CA 94403-7578, USA; phone (415) 572-ARTS. 11-49 Station Road, Langley, Berks SL3 8YN, England; phone (0753) 49442. They distribute Interplay Productions, Eldritch Games Ltd, Cognetics Corporation and Electric Transit. Labyrinth of Time Type: G Written 1989. Runs on: * Commodore CD32 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes Written 1989. ====================================================================== Elfin Software Ltd Lost over Bermuda Written 1983. Runs on: * Spectrum ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Ziggarat of Dread Written 1983. Runs on: * Spectrum ====================================================================== Empire Time Type: IG Written 1983. Runs on: * Amiga ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dreamweb Type: G Written 1983. Runs on: * Amiga * PC Comments: A very good adventure set in the near future. ====================================================================== English Software Stranded Type: DG Written 1984 by D. Woodhouse and C. Hughes. Runs on: * Atari 8-bit * Commodore 64 Notes: Extremely short, illogical, bad parser etc. Comments: A poor space traveller has crashed on an (almost) deserted planet and must find a way home to Earth. Package blurb: Stranded by English Software. The challenge that's light years ahead. Special Agent Sid's First Graphic Adventure. ====================================================================== Enigma Variations The Famous Five on a Treasure Island Written 1984 by D. Woodhouse and C. Hughes. Runs on: * Amiga * Spectrum ====================================================================== Epic Software One of the first companies to create good parsers that could handle more than simply verb-noun. The Wheel of Fortune Written 1984 by D. Woodhouse and C. Hughes. Runs on: * BBC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Lost Crystal Written 1984 by D. Woodhouse and C. Hughes. Runs on: * BBC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Castle Frankenstin Type: TO Written 1984. Runs on: * BBC Comments: Kill a monster that apparently is committing a lot of murders. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kingdom of Klein Type: TO Written 1984. Runs on: * BBC Comments: Battle a witch to find a magic bottle. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Quest for the Holy Grail Type: TO Written 1984. Runs on: * BBC Comments: Find the holy grail. ====================================================================== Epyx The Robots of Dawn Type: TO Written 1984 by Jon Leupp. Runs on: * Apple II * Commodore 64 Notes: Based on the book of the same title by Isaac Asimov. ====================================================================== Exxos They later changed their name to Cryo Interactive. For more information, see Cryo Interactive. Kult Type: IG Written 1989. Runs on: * Amiga * PC Notes: This game was later retitled Temple of the Mutant Sci-Fi Priestesses or something like that. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- KGB Type: IG Written 1989. Runs on: * Amiga * PC ====================================================================== FGC Buccaneer Written 1989. Runs on: * Oric-1 Comments: Very simple program with only a few commands. Guide a ship around the world looking for treasure. Ok for young children, but adults will probably complete it at the first go. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Last Warrior Type: G Written 1989. Runs on: * Oric-1 ====================================================================== F+K Ware Inka-Tempel Written 1983. Runs on: * Spectrum Notes: In German. ====================================================================== Firebird (First Floor, 64-67 New Oxford Street, London, WC1A 1PS, England). They were part of British Telecom. They distribute ATOD. For more information, see Rainbird Entertainment. The Helm Type: TO Written 1984 by Simon Jay in The Quill. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Comments: Find The Helm of Immortality. All comments are of the "Strike me with another gem of brilliance, oh most worthy one"-kind! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Seabase Delta Type: DG Written 1985 by Peter Torrance. Runs on: * Amstrad * Commodore 64 * Spectrum ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subsunk Type: BG Written 1985 by Peter Torrance in The Quill. Runs on: * Amstrad * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Notes: Prequel to Seabase Delta. Comments: You are trapped in a sunk submarine and have to find a way to escape. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Runestone Type: G Written 1986 by Alan Davies. Runs on: * Amstrad * Spectrum Notes: A game in which you control three characters. It used landscaping backgrounds to give a large graphical game area. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Wild West Written 1986 by Alan Davies. Runs on: * Commodore 64 ====================================================================== First Row Software Dr. Dumont's Wild P.A.R.T.I. Type: TO Written by Michael Berlyn. Runs on: * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight Zone Type: G Written by Michael Berlyn. Runs on: * Amiga * PC Notes: Some say it's by Accolade. ====================================================================== Free Spirit Software Their games had a weak parser and interface, but funny graphics (not too good, but funny). Sex Vixens from Outer Space Type: G Written by Michael Berlyn. Runs on: * Amiga ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Planet of Lust Type: G Written by Michael Berlyn. Runs on: * Amiga Notes: This was a sequel to Sex Vixens from Outer Space. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Brad Stallion Sex Olympics Type: G Written by Michael Berlyn. Runs on: * Amiga ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Bride of the Robots Type: G Written by Michael Berlyn. Runs on: * Amiga ====================================================================== Fridaysoft London Adventure Written 1985. Runs on: * Spectrum ====================================================================== FTL Sundog Type: G Written 1985. Runs on: * Atari ST * Apple II ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dungeon Master Written 1985. ====================================================================== Gainstar Dungeon Quest Type: BG/SOUND Written 1985. Runs on: * Amiga Comments: Superb hand-drawn graphics and sound, but extremely weak parser. ====================================================================== Game Crafters The Adventures of Maddog Williams Type: MCG/TEXT Written 1985. Runs on: * Amiga Comments: Nice game, graphically weak but humorous, working parser. ====================================================================== Games Machine Ltd Fabulous Wanda Type: TO (with some text mode arcade game sequences) Written 1983 by Alan G. Osborn in Basic. Runs on: * Commodore 64 Comments: A science fiction game where you are in a town, trying to get money and to have a date with Wanda to find the meaning of life. If you were going around too much you were arrested, the same bad luck if you were choosing the wrong place to go. Apparently, one of the puzzles was to reverse-engineer the game to eliminate a problem. ====================================================================== Games Workshop Tower of Despair Type: TO Written 1985 in The Quill. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Notes: Package included a booklet with lots of illustrations, without which the game is _very_ hard to solve. Comments: Two-parter fantasy adventure, in which you must defeat the evil Demon Lord and fight his evil minions. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Tower II: The Key of Hope Type: DG Written 1985 in The Quill and The Illustrator. Runs on: * Spectrum Notes: Divided into two parts. Comments: Resume your battle against Lord Malnor. ====================================================================== Gameworkz Software Later called Softgold. For more information, see Softgold. ====================================================================== Gargoyle Games They produced games that were side scrolling and involved a lot of picking up objects and placing them in the correct place. They were full of puzzles many of which involved puns on object's names and some of which showed the game's British heritage. Tir Na Nog Type: MCG Written 1984. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Comments: The adventures of the ancient celtic hero Cuchulainn in the countryside. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dun Darach Type: MCG Written 1985. Runs on: * Spectrum Comments: Cuchulainn has to explore the city of Dun Darach to rescue his charioteer Loeg. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Marsport Type: MCG Written 1985. Runs on: * Spectrum Comments: John Marsh is sent to investigate an alien infestation of the station on Mars. ====================================================================== Gilsoft Africa Gardens Written by Tom Davies. Runs on: * Commodore 64 * Spectrum ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Devil's Island Type: TO Written 1983 by Colin Smith in The Quill. Runs on: * Spectrum Comments: Escape from a prison. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Crystal Frog Written 1985 in The Quill. Runs on: * Spectrum ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Mindbender Type: TO Written 1984 in The Quill. Runs on: * Spectrum ====================================================================== Global Software The Magician's Ball Type: BG Written 1985 by G. Harrison and K. Grieve. Runs on: * Amstrad CPC * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Notes: Has music (several parts of Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells). Comments: Controlling two characters in a fantasy world, you have to (it seems!) defeat an evil witch. The game is very atmospheric, but filled with bugs (You can have all sorts of creatures walking around killing other - sometimes already dead! - creatures - and that you can get to what seems to be the ending without solving more that a few of the puzzles - the best one is that you can unlock all doors in the game with a _dead bird_!!!). Entertaining, nonetheless. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Old Scores Written 1985 by G. Harrison and K. Grieve. Runs on: * Amstrad CPC * Commodore 128 * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Package blurb: An adventure of mystery and suspense based around the London South Bank. ====================================================================== Grana Software I think they made some other games too. Excalibur Written 1985 by G. Harrison and K. Grieve. Runs on: * Commodore 64 ====================================================================== Gremlin Software/Exile Designs Suspicious Cargo Type: BG/PnC/TEXT/MUSIC Written 1991 by Martin Cowan. Runs on: * Amiga * Atari ST Comments: Set in the late 21st century on the Saturn moon Titan. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Plan 9 from Outer Space Type: IG Written 1991 by Martin Cowan. Runs on: * Amiga * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Normality Written 1991 by Martin Cowan. ====================================================================== GT Interactive Software 9 Type: PnC/MUSIC Written 1991 by Martin Cowan. Runs on: * PC Comments: Weird adventure featuring the music of Aerosmith. You inherit the Last Resort and must seek the help of the nine muses to defeat an evil power. Incredibly colorful graphics and the voices of Cher, Christopher Reeve, James Belushi, Steven Tyler. Robert De Niro is credited as being the executive producer! ====================================================================== Harddata The Waster Type: TO Written 1984. Runs on: * Spectrum Notes: Divided into two parts. Understands only 10 different commands. Comments: Awful adventure in which you, as a CIA-agent, must travel to Africa and assassinate a right-wing dictator. ====================================================================== Haresoft Hareraiser Prelude Written 1984. Runs on: * Oric-1 Comments: Very weird adventure-type game. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Hareraiser Finale Written 1984. Runs on: * Oric-1 Comments: Very weird adventure-type game. ====================================================================== Hassett, Greg For more information, see Mad Hatter Software. ====================================================================== Hayden Software Crystal Caverns Type: TO Written 1983 by David Kitchen. Runs on: * Apple II * Commodore 64 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Crime Stopper Type: TO Written 1983 by David Kitchen. Runs on: * Apple II * Commodore 64 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Alibi Written 1983 by David Kitchen. Runs on: * Apple II ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Inca Written 1983 by David Kitchen. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Holy Grail Written 1983 by David Kitchen. ====================================================================== Hewson Consultants Quest Adventure Type: G Written 1983 by David Kitchen. Runs on: * Spectrum ====================================================================== HGC Indiana Smith Type: TO Written 1983 by David Kitchen. Runs on: * Oric-1 ====================================================================== High Energy Software High Energy Software also produce the text adventure design system TADS which has been used to write these adventures. It is freeware and available from ftp.gmd.de. Commercial Freeware/Shareware ====================================================================== Highland Computer Services Mummy's Curse Type: G Written 1983 by David Kitchen. Runs on: * Apple II ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Oldorf's Revenge Type: G Written 1983 by David Kitchen. Runs on: * Apple II ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Goblins Written 1983 by David Kitchen. Runs on: * Apple II ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Creature Venture Written 1983 by David Kitchen. Runs on: * Apple II ====================================================================== Horrorsoft Horrorsoft was really Adventure Soft UK in disguise. Tynesoft provided some of the artists for the games. They are distributed by Tynesoft. Personal Nightmare Type: IG/PnC/MUSIC Written by Mike Woodroffe [game], Keith Wadhams [game], Alan Cox [game], Alan Cox [system], Alan Bridgeman [system] and Teoman Irmak [graphics]. Runs on: * Amiga Notes: Both text and iconic input. Game system written in C. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Elvira, Mistress of the Dark Type: PnC/SOUND/MUSIC (animation) Written 1990 by Mike Woodroffe, Keith Wadhams, Simon Woodroffe, Alan Bridgman [graphics code] and Teoman Irmak and other artists [graphics]. Runs on: * Amiga * Atari ST * PC Notes: This actually runs under the AberMUD5 MUD driver with a graphical front end added. It's a combination of graphic adventure and RPG. The Amiga version comes on 3 1/2" disks. Includes 21-page Horror Guide manual, 20 page Emelda's Receipts & Spelles For Ye Of Magickal Artes book coded in red, red filter, ingredients card (lists contents that come with game), and additional instructions card. Package blurb: Can somebody help me find my chest? No really, I'm serious! See, I've been remodeling this cold and moldy castle, right? So how was I to know that I'd wake up Queen Emelda -- especially since the old bat croaked hundreds of years ago! Anyway, Queenie-baby wants to come back from the dead and rule the world -- and the only way I can stop her and her monstrous minions is to find a secret scroll of spells, hidden in a big chest somewhere in this huge, 800-room castle. Won't you help your poor innocent little Mistress? Yours cruelly -- Elvira ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Elvira 2: Jaws of Cerberus Written 1990 by Mike Woodroffe, Keith Wadhams, Simon Woodroffe, Alan Bridgman [graphics code] and Teoman Irmak and other artists [graphics]. Runs on: * Amiga * PC Notes: Part RPG. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Elvira 3: Waxworks Type: IG/PnC/MUSIC Written 1990 by Mike Woodroffe, Keith Wadhams, Simon Woodroffe, Alan Bridgman [graphics code] and Teoman Irmak and other artists [graphics]. Runs on: * Amiga * PC Notes: RPG with adventure overtones. Uses the same game-system as Elvira I. Comments: The player has to explore four waxworks, namely Jack the Ripper's London, a cemetary, a mine filled with mutants and a pyramid in order to remove a curse put on his family. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Simon the Sorcerer Type: IG Written by Mike Woodroffe. Runs on: * Amiga * Commodore CD32 * PC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Simon the Sorcerer II Written by Mike Woodroffe. Runs on: * Commodore CD32 * PC Notes: Sequel to Simon the Sorcerer. ====================================================================== Howarth, Brian Homepage: http://home.virtual-pc.com/isblpx/adbh.html They are distributed by Molimerx Ltd, Channel 8, Adventure International and Digital Fantasia. For more information, see Adventure International UK and Tynesoft. Mysterious Adventures Series Brian Howarth used a basic game design tool for writing Scott Adams databases and wrote his own TRS-80 driver so he could then ship and sell them. This driver became the Adventure International Spectrum driver for all games including Scott's and Brian did a lot of the code used for the graphics system in the later Spectrum games. After all these games Brian was involved in Dungeons & Dragons game stuff. The ScottFree interpreter on ftp.gmd.de will play the Brian Howarth databases. These games were available in both the UK and the US. These games were originally released for the TRS-80. At least some of these games were available for Dragon. The graphics are by someone called Jon. ====================================================================== Humbug Software/Graham Cluley Humorous oddball adventure games in the style of the Infocom classics. Graham Cluley can be contacted at hamrag@cix.compulink.co.uk or gcluley@sands.co.uk. He currently works as S & S International (makers of Dr. Solomon's Anti-Virus Toolkit), a job he got because the MD's children liked his games so much! These games have been very successful as shareware with over 2000 registrations (April 1994). From: hamrag@cix.compulink.co.uk (Graham Cluley) Date: Wed, 28 May 97 20:49 BST-1 I'm in your interactive fiction list, and I have a slight update on my entry. I have now made my adventure games (Humbug and Jacaranda Jim) public domain and anyone can download the full versions (including online hints!) for free from http://members.aol.com/gcluley/ Cheers Graham Homepage: http://members.aol.com/gcluley/ Jacaranda Jim (v5.00) Type: TO Written 1987-1993 by Graham Cluley. Runs on: * PC Notes: Public domain (previously shareware (Ł6)). Hints and other goodies for registered users are now available electronically. Comments: Many players of Jacaranda Jim ask me what the point of the game is. Do you have to discover the secret of the Wild Women's teapot, uncover a vast treasure hoard or simply get a nice haircut for less than two bob? Well, just as in life the final objective of Jacaranda Jim is a mystery. However, it just might be a good idea to escape from Ibberspleen IV, and continue your journey back home to Earth. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Humbug (v5.0) Type: TO Written 1990-1993 by Graham Cluley. Runs on: * PC Notes: Public domain (previously shareware (Ł9)). Hints and other goodies for registered users are now available electronically. Comments: You, Sidney Widdershins, are sent to your Grandad's for the school holidays. Why is Jasper the dentist so desperate that Grandad should sell the manor? Why has Grandad hidden a time machine in the cellar? Why does the octopus insist on performing the ancient ritual of Wubble-A-Gloop with you? What doesn't Kevin the clockwork shark like about your haircut? What would YOU do with a trombone, a terrapin and half a pound of lard? ====================================================================== Hutchinson Computer Publishing The Fourth Protocol Type: BG Written 1990-1993 by Graham Cluley. Runs on: * Amstrad PCW * Commodore 64 * Spectrum Notes: Based on the book of the same title by Frederick Forsyth. Divided into three parts. Both icon and text input. ====================================================================== IBM For more information, see Softwin Associates. Zyll Type: TO Written 1984 by Marshal W. Linder and Scott B. Edwards. Runs on: * PC Notes: Zorkish type of game, but using keys to select from menus rather than typing commands. Two could play simultaneously (cooperatively or competetively). One player used the keys to the left, the other those to the right on the same keyboard. When the other player was nearby, he would show up in your descriptions. It was packaged in their generic plastic boxs type case. ====================================================================== ICOM Simulations, Inc All of these are very graphical adventures where you point and click in the pictures to get things, etc. ICOM has been doing the "Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective" series recently. There are three volumes out on CD-ROM only. They probably shouldn't be regarded as adventures, though. Apparently ICOM were bought by Viacom New Media. The interfaces for these games were rather revolutionary, predating Sierra and Lucasarts' point-and-click romps by a few years. The windows based system used in them look exactly like the Macintosh setups of today. They are distributed by Mindscape, Inc.