Way back in March 2011, Juiced.GS's cover story about Leadlight and interactive fiction featured a photograph by Brian Wiser. Taken at the Computer History Museum on January 26, 2011, the photo showcased the museum's prominent display of classic text adventures, demonstrating the genre's lasting appeal and importance in the history of computing.
While you can buy that article and many more in our PDF of text adventure stories, we decided that wasn't enough. We recently got back in touch with Wiser, and he generously shared additional photos of Infocom's display from that trip. The following images are copyrighted by Wiser and are presented here with his permission.
Adventure was meant to be played!
Adventure was meant to be played!
An example of Adventure's gameplay, map, and source code.
An example of Adventure's gameplay, map, and source code.
The history of the first text adventure, Will Crowther and Don Woods, known as Adventure and later as Colossal Cave.
The history of the first text adventure, Will Crowther and Don Woods, known as Adventure and later as Colossal Cave.
The history of Marc Blank and Dave Lebling's Infocom, summarized in three paragraphs.
The history of Marc Blank and Dave Lebling's Infocom, summarized in three paragraphs.
From the placard: "Hand-drawn map of Dungeon, 1982. The original name for this game was Zork, an MIT Hacker for an unfinished program. It was renamed Dungeon, but Infocom changed it back after receiving a 'cease-and-desist' letter from TSR Inc., the publisher of Dungeons & Dragons."
From the placard: "Hand-drawn map of Dungeon, 1982. The original name for this game was Zork, an MIT Hacker for an unfinished program. It was renamed Dungeon, but Infocom changed it back after receiving a 'cease-and-desist' letter from TSR Inc., the publisher of Dungeons & Dragons."
These text adventures are part of a larger display showcasing the history and evolution of computer games.
These text adventures are part of a larger display showcasing the history and evolution of computer games.
The opening screen to Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
The opening screen to Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
Six of Infocom's games, some more famous than others.
Six of Infocom's games, some more famous than others.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and the Leather Goddesses of Phobos came with a variety of feelies, or physical artifacts.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and the Leather Goddesses of Phobos came with a variety of feelies, or physical artifacts.
A display of games from Infocom, one of the leading publishers of interactive fiction in the 1980s.
A display of games from Infocom, one of the leading publishers of interactive fiction in the 1980s.
These are just ten of the 346 photos Wiser took at the museum that day! Have you been to the Computer History Museum? What was your experience? Share your story in the comments below!
I have been to the Computer History Museum a number of times. I lived in the SF Bay Area from 2008 to 2010 and went there a couple of times. Since then, I end up in the area on business trips one or two times a year. If I have time, it try to get back to visit again. I was there just a month or so ago and spent a few hours going through the exhibits.
From my perspective, there is much more space dedicated to "big iron" than the micros from the 70s and 80s. Even still, I find it all fascinating. I did try to play the version of Colossal Cave (perhaps you played it as Apple Adventure) but they had a rubber membrane keyboard which was really worn out making it hard to play. I did get a couple of "xyzzy" commands in though.
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I have been to the Computer History Museum a number of times. I lived in the SF Bay Area from 2008 to 2010 and went there a couple of times. Since then, I end up in the area on business trips one or two times a year. If I have time, it try to get back to visit again. I was there just a month or so ago and spent a few hours going through the exhibits.
From my perspective, there is much more space dedicated to "big iron" than the micros from the 70s and 80s. Even still, I find it all fascinating. I did try to play the version of Colossal Cave (perhaps you played it as Apple Adventure) but they had a rubber membrane keyboard which was really worn out making it hard to play. I did get a couple of "xyzzy" commands in though.