1986: #crashmagazine travels to Ireland to tell the curious story of St. Bride's School and their text adventures

#zxspectrum #textadventures #retrogaming

Still chipping away at the testing on my Aliens game, but realised I've neglected The Corridor (See pinned post). So, giving that a push along. This is a scene that will be set somewhere in the Hinterland... #Procreate #Wip #TextAdventures #IF #CYOA #IndieDiv

Brand new Spectrum game: Umbra, by Darkside29.

Download:
https://darkside29.itch.io/umbra

#zxspectrum #textadventures #retrogaming

👨‍💻 Then I discovered there are lots of other related blog articles. Like LOTS ‘lots’ 😯 Dating back to 2011 😳

I scrolled through the ToC thinking, “I’d like to read lots of these.”

🎮 #VideoGames ⌨️ #TextAdventures #InteractiveFiction 🗺️ #Infocom 🧑‍💻

🧐 Earlier I was reading one of @eblong.com’s toots, which led me to the blog, which linked to another article that I put in a separate browser tab to read later.

Turns out it was long, but I was interested since it’s about Infocom.

🎮 #VideoGames ⌨️ #TextAdventures #InteractiveFiction 🗺️ #Infocom 🧑‍💻

Brand new Spectrum game: Proyecto Starwash, by Ricardo Villalba.

Download:
https://rvmgames.itch.io/starwash

#zxspectrum #textadventures #retrogaming

📺 Watching somebody get Zork running on a very old CPU, and the memory paging that was required to succeed 🤓

It’s also a memory test for old initialisms 🤔

🎮 #VideoGames ⌨️ #TextAdventures #InteractiveFiction 🗺️ #Infocom 🧑‍💻

🔊 The one in which NM drops in nuggets of knowledge throughout the Zork history tale.

I’ve yet to play (any) Zork (I know!) so this set the scene rather nicely for me tho I didn’t understand the puzzle reference to The Bank of Zork.

🎮 #VideoGames ⌨️ #TextAdventures #InteractiveFiction 🗺️ #Podcasts 📻

Walk Through Testing in Sharpee I started porting Mainframe Zork to burn through the Sharpee platforms issues. This has been an excellent choice since Dungeon is a masterpiece of crazy puzzle illusions. In order to run testing, I i...

The march to completion of the Mainframe Zork (Dungeon) port continues and Sharpee nears a 1.0.0 release.

#sharpee #interactivefiction #textadventures #zork #dungeon #typescript

🔊 The one with a large array of guests talking loads of topics, noting appreciation for the show, and the delight at just dropping in 👏😊

Pleased to know others also ‘steal time’ here and there to whip up a text adventure for a bit ☺️

🎮 #VideoGames ⌨️ #TextAdventures #InteractiveFiction 🗺️ #Podcasts 📻

#bigbox shelf of the day. #infocom #sir-tech #wizardy #textadventures #battletech

🔊 This episode features a really informative chat re. more modern IF creations/history & details on IF competitions I was unfamiliar with.

There’s a bit of an experience difference in the chat, perhaps divided on pre/post-Plotkin 🤓

🎮 #VideoGames ⌨️ #TextAdventures #InteractiveFiction 🗺️ #Podcasts 📻

Digital contents of “feelies” from the “Plundered Hearts” box includes a manual, banknote, letter and a velvet pouch.

Looking closer at the banknote that was included in the “Plundered Hearts” box shows Lafond on one side holding a book entitled “Treatise of Power”, wearing an expensive hat, while resting his arm across a wooden globe. All items found in the library room of his mansion.

📕 Still fiddling around in Lafond’s library room in #PlunderedHearts because of an apparent secret passage.

I‘ve tried the knob/hat (underfloor vibrations) and book (behind wall mechanisms. 🤔 significance of globe in banknote image.

🎮 #VideoGames ⌨️ #TextAdventures #InteractiveFiction 🗺️ #Infocom 🧑‍💻

The sea of spectators parts to admit you, murmuring approval. Ballroom Lafond's party is well attended: you can hardly move for the crush. However, the room is oddly silent, no talk interrupting the musical efforts of the musicians to the west. Despite the heat, no one ventures south to the veranda, nor through the opening east. The foyer is north of you. A fashionably bewigged man stalks up to you and bows deeply, "Will you dance?" he asks, with a light French accent. "Not that you have much choice. If you turn me down, your father dies." ›examine man Wigged in dark brown curls, dressed in velvets and brocade, he is warmly attractive. Until you meet his eyes, stone gray and cold. The man's smile hardens. slightly stresses the word "intimate, your father's eyes. I am Lafond - I have recently become intimate with that gentleman." е "Now, tell me 'yes.' And remember, I am a man of my word." > lafond, yes You summon a gracious smile, "Why yes, I'd love to." He laughs triumphantly and pulls you into the dance. >ask lafond about father He fails to notice you've spoken. "So you know I am not your father's friend," Lafond says, offering a hand for the promenade. "Unfortunately, you are in my power, he is in my dungeon and I am still King of these waters." A gold ring flashes on his hand. It seems vaguely familiar. >examin ring It's an ancient gold band, with a curious design of gargoyles, curled tongues extended, on its flat face, with "Sal Sapit Omnia" engraved at the bottom. Lafond's eyes rake your body. "When I am ready, the butler will summon you to sup with me in my room; it may be some time. We will find much in common before dawn, I am sure. Then I may free your father." Lafond bows as the dance ends, and kisses your hand. He cocks his head, curious, "You have far less spirit than your father credited you. He swore you would have him freed in no time at all. A pity, I prefer doyennes with mettle." He moves to speak with the butler, then drifts into the crowd.

💃 Currently exploring Lafond’s mansion house in #PlunderedHearts.

A borrowed fancy outfit and I’m at the ball. Both Jamison and Lafond are getting way too familiar 💋🫣

There are mechanisms to fiddle with in the Library…

10/11pts.

🎮 #VideoGames ⌨️ #TextAdventures #InteractiveFiction 🗺️ #Infocom 🧑‍💻

Play classic Infocom text adventures with an AI companion Infocom Chat lets you play Zork, Planetfall, and other classic text adventures with an AI assistant to help you through.

Play classic Infocom text adventures with an AI companion. Via @boingboing.net #Zork #Infocom #InteractiveFiction #TextAdventures #TextBasedGames #ComputerGames #LegendaryComputerGames #AIAssistedGaming | boingboing.net/2026/01/28/p...

This site is crazy that it is still up because it's a site full of links to really old game makers and engines and if you are lucky you might find an obscure game maker that site is still up #gameengine #indiegames #gamemakers #retro #webcore #textadventures:
www.ambrosine.com/resource.php

Gnome Ranger (Level 9, 1987) #Amiga #Commodore #TextAdventures #ClassicVideogames

Link: www.lemonamiga.com/game/gnome-r...

Game Studies Study Buddies #89 on Get Lamp

https://rangedtouch.com/2025/12/31/89-get-lamp/

#textadventures #infocom #interactivefiction

Return of the Sharpee Builder Restarted working on the project yesterday. The changes in Claude Code from September to now are significant and the work on rewriting the stdlib to use the phased execution (validate -> execute / blo...

Did some work on Sharpee...
sharpee.plover.net/return-of-th...

#interactivefiction #if #textadventures #typescript #claudecode

> S Main Deck It is a deceptively quiet evening on the ship, the pirates singing low shanties as they repair cannon, twist ropes and sharpen daggers. The mainmast casts an inky shadow over the canvas screening the hatch. A tangled mass of rigging hangs down from the mast, like many rope ladders woven together. Two large barrels stand near the stair to the foredeck. ›examine barrels mouth of the rum barrel. The two open barrels contain rum and water, you can tell by the smell of each. They are identical but for the dark stains around the >tear frock You rip a large rag out of the cotton frock. >dip rag in water Keeping hold on the rag, you soak it with water. > d The canvas hatch is closed. >open hatch You pull a corner of canvas out of the frame. Steep stairs descend into murky darkness. > d You glance around to see that no one is watching, and duck through the open corner of the canvas hatch. Hold Moonlight shines down the stairs through an open corner of the canvas hatch above. Rats' scratchings counterpoint the lullaby of bilge water sloshing in the bulkheads, punctuated by footsteps slapping the deck overhead. You may move fore or aft. Behind a high fence, decorated by a sign, are stacked the food and ammunition supplies; casks of rum, water, flour and salt meat interspersed with kegs of gunpowder and shot. A closed gate is the only way in. A tiny glow of fire creeps across a stretch of floor -- inside the cage full of ammunition. >throw rag through gap You throw the rag over the gate. Luckily, it lands directly on the burning end of the fuse. With a sputter and a sigh, the flame dies.

🛢️ Sometimes I send myself to sleep at night pondering a puzzle in an adventure game. Juggling around my acquired knowledge can work well 😴

The other night I came up with two ideas for #PlunderedHearts. Gave one a go. Bosh, 6pts 🥹

🎮 #VideoGames ⌨️ #TextAdventures #InteractiveFiction 🗺️ #Infocom 🧑‍💻

Some text from Plundered Hearts which is too long to include in its entirety. Suddenly you appreciate what it is to be a ball in an exploding cannon. The intense heat, the push of fire, and the sense of release when spit from the cannon's mouth -- these you feel when the lighted fuse finally burns up to the largest keg of gunpowder in the hold. *** You have died *** In 152 turns, you have achieved a score of 5 out of 25 points. This gives you the rank of Missish Minx. You may start over, restore a saved position, or end this session of the game. (Type RESTART, RESTORE, or QUIT): >

💥 I think I’ve halted the ship’s drift into the reef in #PlunderedHearts, which was my most pressing untimely demise.

Now it appears that I need to figure out how to stop the lit fuse from blowing me up. I’d found Cookie’s blunt 🗡️ 🤔

🎮 #VideoGames ⌨️ #TextAdventures #InteractiveFiction 🗺️ #Infocom 🧑‍💻

Plundered Hearts Current game progress 4 points, 72 turns, 0:37.22 time

Transcript of early(ish) scenes in Plundered Hearts. Here be spoilarrrs!!! >throw coffer at window You hurl the coffer through the window, sending it and a shower of glass into the sea. The ledge now looks deep enough to sit upon. The end of a rope ladder blows past the window. The reefs seem a little larger than you thought before. >climb out window You climb onto the ledge. The ladder drifts within reach. ›grab ladder You put everything in your reticule and reach out for the ladder and over-balance, tumbling from your perch. Your hand closes on a slimy hemp rung as you fly out over the waves, clinging tenuously, feet free, to the ladder. On the Ladder You are clinging to a slimy ladder, tied to a rail of the poop deck above you. Not far from your feet, waves kiss the stern of the ship. ›climb ladder You climb up the ladder. All air is driven out of you as the ladder slams into the stern. ›climb ladder You climb up the ladder, passing the halfway point. Rebounding, the ladder twists you around to face the Helena Louise. ›climb ladder You climb up the ladder. The ladder swings back towards the Helena Louise. >climb ladder You heave yourself over the stern rail and sink breathless to the deck of the Helena Louise. Poop From this platform deck you can see the whole of the two-masted ship, shadowy forms moving about here and there. A railing protects you from stepping off the deck in any direction but to the fore. A rope ladder is tied to the railing at the stern of the ship. The reefs seem a little larger than you thought before. > score In 72 turns, you have achieved a score of 4 out of 25 points. This gives you the rank of Damsel in Distress. >

⚓️ Progress! Made it out of the cabin in #PlunderedHearts after spending waaay too long in the hold 🤦‍♂️ 4pts!

I’d been fiddling with gate, lobbing things over it, trying to deal with a fuse, open a canvas hatch, get out via grate, etc.

🎮 #VideoGames ⌨️ #TextAdventures #InteractiveFiction 🗺️ #Infocom 🧑‍💻

🗿 A fabulous cross-over story of Manic Miner vs Plod mixed in with a text adventure! 😯

🎮 #VideoGames ⌨️ #TextAdventures #InteractiveFiction 🗺️

#sinclairuser tells in 1985 the story of St. Bride's, a irish school for young ladies but also a software house that published text adventures

#zxspectrum #textadventures #retrogamimg

#sinclairuser tells in 1985 the story of St. Bride's, a irish school for young ladies but also a software house that published text adventures

#zxspectrum #textadventures #retrogamimg

>l Crew's Quarters The crew sleeps, in shifts, in this cramped space under the forecastle. A breeze blows in on a moonbeam through a grate in the ceiling. A low doorsill is abaft. Strewn about the floor are various powders and spills of malodorous potions. In one corner, a large blood stain indicates an amputation; in another is the smear of a leech, dropped off a bloodletting. >i You have a bit of mirror, a leather bottle, an invitation, a jewelled brooch, a missive, your reticule (hanging from your wrist) and a cotton frock. It seems that your reticule contains smelling salts and a banknote. You are wearing a shirt, breeches, your kid slippers and a linen chemise. ›tear frock You rip a large rag out of the cotton frock. You can't go that way. > S Hold Steep stairs lead up in the dimness to a canvas hatch above. Rats' scratchings counterpoint the lullaby of bilge water sloshing in the bulkheads, punctuated by footsteps slapping the deck overhead. You may move fore or aft. Behind a high fence, decorated by a sign, are stacked the food and ammunition supplies; casks of rum, water, flour and salt meat interspersed with kegs of gunpowder and shot. A closed gate is the only way in. A tiny glow of fire creeps across a stretch of floor -- inside the cage full of ammunition. >throw rag over gate You throw the rag over the gate. It flaps haplessly in the air, settling to the floor not far from the burning fuse. >throw mirror over gate spits and resumes burning. You throw the bit of mirror into the ammunition area. It skids into the darkness, over the burning end of the fuse. The fuse falters, spits and resumes burning. >

🏴‍☠️ Just 2pts in #PlunderedHearts so far. Haven’t figured my way out of the hold yet 🫣 And this is introductory level 🤭

Can’t reach the fuse (doesn’t seem critical yet).
Can’t open canvas hatch (a person behind it?) 🤔

🎮 #VideoGames ⌨️ #TextAdventures #InteractiveFiction 🗺️ #Infocom 🧑‍💻

The Retro Adventurers (@retroadventurers.bsky.social) "Is Gremlins a Christmas movie?" discourse in this latest episode. (Yes, as its text adventure is a Christmas game!) Save Christmas itself in A Spell Of Christmas Ice, and save our fair village from monster mayhem in Gremlins: The Adventure. retroadventurers.podbean.com/e/34/

#Gremlins is a #Christmas movie and I stand by that even though I mostly base that on my memories of the picturebook. fed.brid.gy/r/https://bsky.app/profi... #TextAdventures #InteractiveFiction #RetroComputing

#sinclairuser visits Delta 4 Software, home of many cool text adventures, to interview Fergus Mc Neill & mates

#zxspectrum #retrogaming

Spectrum Computing user 8BitAG has posted this link:

https://github.com/MikeTheTechie/Level9-Public

It's an archive of Mike Austin, from legendary Level 9 company, that includes the A-Code system manual and source code for both the games and the A-Code engine

#zxspectrum #textadventures […]

“Plundered Hearts” game menu screen on “The Lost Treasures of Infocom” game running on my iPad.

A physical copy of “The Lost Treasures of Infocom Vol.2” on a desk, with the boxed manual open at the “Plundered Hearts” chapter. This features a copy of the printed letter that was included with the original game box ‘feelies’.

Opening scene from “Plundered Hearts”. ›SHOOT THE PIRATE Trembling, you fire the heavy arquebus. You hear its loud report over the roaring wind, yet the dark figure still approaches. The gun falls from your nerveless hands. "You won't kill me," he says, stepping over the weapon. "Not when I am the only protection you have from Jean Lafond." Chestnut hair, tousled by the wind, frames the tanned oval of his face. Lips curving, his eyes rake over your inadequately dressed body, the damp chemise clinging to your legs and heaving bosom, your gleaming hair. You are intensely aware of the strength of his hard seaworn body, of the deep sea blue of his eyes. And then his mouth is on yours, lips parted, demanding, and you arch into his kiss... He presses you against him, head bent. "But who, my dear," he whispers into your hair, "will protect you from me?" [Press RETURN or ENTER to begin.] PLUNDERED HEARTS Infocom interactive fiction Copyright (c) 1987 by Infocom, Inc. All rights reserved. PLUNDERED HEARTS is a trademark of Infocom, Inc. Release 26 / Serial number 870730 LATE ONE SPRING NIGHT IN THE WEST INDIES... A crash overhead! Pirates are boarding the Lafond Deux! The first mate hurries you into Captain Davis's cabin. "Good, you brought the girl," Davis smirks. "She'll keep the pirates busy. She was only a tool of Lafond's, anyway. Let me just find that cof-_" A man on deck screams in agony and Davis starts. "Let's go." The captain thrusts you on the bed and walks out, locking the door. His laugh echoes. "Best get comfortable, girl. You're likely to be there for the rest of your life." Cabin, on the bed You are in an officer's cabin, lit by the firelight glowing through a porthole. A door is to starboard. Except for the built-in bed, the room seems to have been emptied thoroughly, if hurriedly.

🏴‍☠️ I decided to fire up #PlunderedHearts as my next IF game.

I’m not a Romantasy reader and an adventure game in the romance genre may not be one for me. It’s in the Introductory range so I’m having a go for completeness.

🎮 #VideoGames ⌨️ #TextAdventures #InteractiveFiction 🗺️ #Infocom 🧑‍💻