Information about Interactive Fiction Games - Part Five ------------------------------------------------------- Original author Hans Persson unicorn@lysator.liu.se Supplied by The Grue @~Continued from Issue 40 Macmillan: ********* They distributed Delta 4 Software. Magnetic Scrolls: **************** An English company (1 Chapel Court, London SE1 1HH, England) that originally wrote adventure games with a very powerful (but sometimes unusually picky) parser, and very nice 16 colour hi-res pictures. Since 1990 (Wonderland), they are using a new GUI called Magnetic Windows. Distributed by Rainbird up to 1989, then by Mastertronic until 1992, and after that by MicroProse. The Pawn [TO 1985/BG 1986] Story by Rob Steggles. Graphics by Geoff Quilley. For Amiga [BG], Atari ST [BG], Commodore 128 [G?], Commodore 64 [TO], PC, Sinclair QL [TO], Spectrum 128K. Commodore 64 version in box with playing guide, poster and 60-page novella. The Guild of Thieves [BG 1987] Story by Rob Steggles. Graphics by Geoff Quilley and Tristan Humphries. For Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, PC. Jinxter [1987] Story by Rob Steggles? Corruption [G, 1988] Story by Rob Steggles and Hugh Steers. Graphics by Alan Hunnisett and Richard Selby. Fish! [G, 1988] Story by John Molloy, Pete Kemp, Phil South and Rob Steggles. Graphics by Geoff Quilley, Alan Hunnisett, Chris Kent, Richard Selby and Tristan Humphries. Myth [G, 1989] Story by Paul Findley. Graphics by Geoff Quilley, Tristan Humpries and Chris Kent. This is a short game that hasn't been released to the general public, but was given as a welcome present in some british adventure club/mailorder firm. @~It was through Special Reserve ... Sue Wonderland [G, 1990] Story by David Bishop. Graphics by Alan Hunnisett, Chris Kent, Anna Williams and Geoff Quilley. Magnetic Scrolls Collection, Volume I [1991] Contains The Guild of Thieves, Corruption and Fish! remade using Magnetic Windows. The Legacy: Realm of Terror [1993] This is a Horror RPG from MicroProse that they have had a hand in developing. For PC. Mastertronic: ************ They distributed Magnetic Scrolls (1989-1992) and Smart Egg Software. Se-Kaa of Assiah [GR] For Commodore 64. Med Systems Software: ******************** They were distributed by All American Adventures. Jymm Pearson ------------ These adventures are written using the same interpreter used for the "Other Ventures"-series published by Adventure International. The Institute [1981] By Jymm Pearson. Lucifer's Realm [G, 1982] By Jymm Pearson and Robyn Pearson. For Commodore 64, Apple II. The Farvar Legacy [1983] By Jymm Pearson. The Paradise Threat By Jymm Pearson. Others ------ Asylum [BG] For Commodore 64. Death Maze 5000 (This might not be an adventure.) Labyrinth Melbourne House: *************** British software company. Their Tolkien trilogy (Hobbit/LoTR/SoM) is infamous for numerous bugs. Distributed by Virgin Games. Joystick adventures ------------------- These were a combination of traditional text and scrolling graphics with a minimally animated figure that one moved around the screen. The parser only recognized the first two letters of each word. Zim Sala Bim Grand Larceny For Commodore 64. Normal adventures ----------------- Hampstead For Commodore 64. The Hobbit [GD, 1983/G, 1985] By Philip Mitchel and Veronika Megler. For Amstrad [1985], Commodore 64, MSX [1985], Oric-1, Spectrum 48K. The enhanced version (1985) had extra problems, additional text, larger vocabulatory and enhanced graphics and was available on disk for Apple, Commodore 64 (also included music), PC. Very good parser, vocabulatory and non-player characters for the time. Sherlock Holmes [G, 1985] By Philip Mitchel. For Commodore 64, Spectrum 48K. Terrormolinos [G, 1985] Originally developed by Peter Jones and Trevor Lever with The Quill. For Commodore 64, Spectrum. Two-word parser. You are going on holiday to Torremolinos, but you have to do ten totally unusual photographs of the town to prove to your neighbours that you have been there. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring [DG, 1986] By Philip Mitchel. For Amstrad, BBC, Commodore 64, Spectrum 48K. Pseudo-graphical adventure with a lot of different viewpoint characters to choose from. As far as I can remember, one had to change character now and then to solve the game. Very slow. Includes two cassettes, a large booklet and a paperback copy of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring. Shadows of Mordor War in Middle Earth [G, 1989] For Apple IIGS. Demon's Tomb: The Awakening [1990] Classic Adventure [TO] By John Steele-Jones. For Commodore 64, Spectrum. A remake of the original adventure. Mordon's Quest [TO] By John Steele-Jones. For Commodore 64, Spectrum 48K. 150 locations, 500 words. Castle of Terror [DG] For Commodore 64. Divided into two parts (the second one loaded automatically when you entered the castle; there was no turning back then). Had graphics for all rooms, but I don't think they were necessary in more than a few places. Microdeal: ********* Williamsburg [TO] For Commodore 16. Mansion Adventure [TO] For Commodore 16. Micro Fun: Micro Lab: ********* I've seen both these company names mentioned concerning these games. Which one should it be? Death in the Caribbean For Apple II, Commodore 64 (?). Madventure For Apple II. MicroProse: ********** They distribute Magnetic Scrolls (from 1992) and Legend Entertainment Company. Dark Lands The Legacy: Realm of Terror This is a Horror RPG that Magnetic Scrolls have had a hand in developing. For PC. Mindscape, Inc: ************** They distribute Angelsoft, Inc and ICOM Simulations, Inc. Brattacas [IG] For Amiga, Atari ST. Racter "As Eliza was an early computer program that simulates artificial intelligence, so Racter is a program that simulates artificial insanity [...] A program that interviews you, tells you stories and anecdotes, etc." Molimerx: ******** They distributed the Brian Howarth Mysterious Adventures Series. Mosaic Publishing: ***************** Mosaic specialize in "bookware" which is better described as interactive fiction than adventure. There is mainly narrative text with only occasional player interaction. Their games are programmed by Level 9 Computing and The Ram Jam Corporation. The Archers [G] By Level 9 Computing. For Commodore 64. Your goal is to write scripts to keep the audience ratings for the Archers soap opera up. The game is scripted by the real Archers scriptwriters in collaboration with Level 9 Computing. The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 3/4 -- The Computer Game [G] By Level 9 Computing. For Commodore 64. Divided into four parts. All input to the game is done by pressing 1, 2, 3 or 4. Twice Shy [BG] By The Ram Jam Corporation. For Commodore 64. Written with The Biro. The screen is divided into three parts, picture, location description and player interaction. Number 9 Software: ***************** Beatle Quest For Commodore 64. Ocean: ***** The Neverending Story [G] For Amstrad, Atari, Commodore 64, Spectrum. On-Line Systems: *************** See Sierra On-Line, Inc. @~To be continued in Issue 42 - o -