The 1980s were a golden age for and the beginning of the text adventure makers. These games relied on text descriptions to convey game scenarios and allowed players to interact with the game world through text commands. Here are some of the most popular text-based computer games from the 1980s:
Zork: Zork is perhaps the most famous text adventure game of all time. Developed in the late 1970s by a group of MIT students, Zork became a sensation in the early 1980s and was eventually adapted to run on a wide variety of platforms. The game was renowned for its intricate puzzles, witty writing, and immersive game world.
Adventure: Adventure, also known as Colossal Cave Adventure, was the first text-based computer game ever created. Developed in the mid-1970s by Will Crowther and expanded by Don Woods, Adventure challenged players to explore a massive, interconnected cave system filled with treasures and dangers.
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: Based on the popular book series by Douglas Adams, the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy game was a hilarious and irreverent take on the text adventure genre. The game was known for its tricky puzzles, absurd humor, and clever nods to the book series.
Leather Goddesses of Phobos: Leather Goddesses of Phobos was a raunchy and irreverent text adventure game that poked fun at science fiction and adventure tropes. The game was known for its bizarre plot, risqué humor, and multiple-choice decision points that allowed players to influence the story’s direction.
Deadline: Deadline was a classic murder mystery game that challenged players to solve a series of murders in a fictional small town. The game was known for its intricate plot, detailed descriptions, and challenging puzzles.
Infocom games: Infocom was one of the leading publishers of text adventure games in the 1980s, with a huge library of games that covered a wide range of genres, from science fiction to mystery to fantasy. Some of Infocom’s most popular titles included The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Zork, and Planetfall.
These text-based computer games from the 1980s paved the way for the interactive storytelling experiences we enjoy today. Although they may seem primitive by today’s standards, they are still beloved by many gamers who appreciate their creativity, challenge, and nostalgia factor.
How Can You Find These Early Text-Base Games To Play?
Emulators: One way to play early text-based games is to use an emulator. Emulators are programs that allow you to run software from older computer systems on modern machines. Many popular text-based games from the 1970s and 1980s, such as Adventure and Zork, have been ported to various platforms and are available to play using emulators. (Find the best 10 emulators)
Online archives: There are several online archives and repositories dedicated to preserving early text-based games. The Interactive Fiction Archive (IF Archive), for example, contains a vast collection of interactive fiction games, including many early text-based games. Many of these games are available to play online or to download and run on your computer.
Retro gaming stores: Some retro gaming stores specialize in vintage computer hardware and software, including early text-based games. You may be able to find original copies of classic games like Adventure or Zork, as well as vintage computers that can run these games. (Retro Gaming Stores)
Game development communities: There are many game development communities online that are dedicated to creating and preserving interactive fiction games. These communities often have resources and tools available to help you find and play early text-based games, as well as to create your own interactive fiction games. (Game Development Communities)
Ultimately, there are many resources available for those interested in finding and playing early text-based games. Whether you use an emulator, search online archives, visit retro gaming stores, or participate in game development communities, there are plenty of opportunities to experience the classic games that helped shape the gaming industry.