The Rise of Computer Games, Part I: Adventure
2 days ago
- #adventure-games
- #personal-computing
- #gaming-history
- Adventure games played a central role in the formation of personal computer culture, appealing to early hobbyists who were fascinated by the machines.
- Games were the most popular software category in the early personal computer market, with two-thirds of Apple II software titles being games.
- Computer owners obtained games through peer-to-peer copying, type-in programs from magazines and books, and commercial titles from software publishers.
- The adventure game genre originated from Will Crowther's 'Adventure,' a text-driven game inspired by caving and Dungeons & Dragons.
- Scott Adams was the first to commercialize a version of 'Adventure' for personal computers, leading to a series of successful adventure games.
- Infocom's 'Zork' became a landmark text adventure game, known for its rich text interface and complex puzzles, selling over 150,000 copies by 1984.
- The first graphical adventure game, 'Mystery House,' was created by Ken and Roberta Williams, combining text commands with simple line drawings.
- Sierra On-Line, founded by the Williamses, became a dominant force in adventure games, with Roberta Williams being one of the most successful designers in the genre.
- Adventure games were criticized for unfair puzzles and tedious mazes but were praised for their immersive and imaginative experiences.
- The genre attracted a diverse audience, including women, and all modern adventure games trace their ancestry back to Crowther's 'Adventure.'