The Lost Treasures of Infocom
Encyclopedia
The Lost Treasures of Infocom is a collection of 20 computer games from interactive fiction
pioneer Infocom
, released in 1991. It was available in MS-DOS
, Apple Macintosh, Amiga
, and Apple IIGS
versions, as well as a cross-platform CD-ROM
version. Infocom was closed in 1989 by its then-parent company Activision
. Still holding the copyright
to nearly all the past Infocom titles, Activision bundled 20 of the most popular into this package. The games included are:
The package contains all the instructions (bound in one volume) and maps for each game as well as all the InvisiClues
, printed normally instead of using "invisible" ink. The package also features a launch menu which lets the user select which one of the 20 games they wish to play.
An additional bonus was the updated version of Hitchhiker's Guide. The game was repackaged using a later version of the Z-machine
than the original, and now featured a built-in hint system.
Some significant omissions from the package were the "feelies" for which Infocom had become known. The package merely contained photocopies or pictures of these items, such as the sunglasses from Hitchhiker's Guide and the Stellar Patrol ID card from Planetfall. Including these items would have significantly increased the production costs and package weight of the release, however, so the decision is understandable if lamentable.
Many fans complained about the quality of the enclosed documents. Not only did the feelies lose much of their "realism", but many of the original items were reduced in size and scanned at such low resolution that they were nearly unreadable. The InvisiClues text provided in the collection's hint book appeared to have been hastily transcribed, containing numerous typographical errors. In addition, some items were accidentally omitted. At least one game (Ballyhoo) was rendered unwinnable without prior knowledge due to these oversights. Regardless of this lapse in quality control, The Lost Treasures of Infocom sold well.
Leather Goddesses of Phobos
was not included, but could be ordered for $9.95 via an enclosed coupon.
The quality of the photocopied feelies and manuals was, in general, slightly better than those in the original Lost Treasures package. A few items were reproduced quite faithfully, such as the Trinity site plan and a newspaper and map of London from Sherlock. However, the games' InvisiClues
were not included as before; instead, a card advertising a pay-per-minute hint line was included in the package.
In addition to being dual-format (MS-DOS
and Apple Macintosh), the CD-ROM version included three extra games:
The Soul of the Samurai and Known World maps from Shogun and the map from Journey were included separately; an added instruction manual included the Book of Hours from Arthur as well as instructions for all three added games.
Interactive fiction
Interactive fiction, often abbreviated IF, describes software simulating environments in which players use text commands to control characters and influence the environment. Works in this form can be understood as literary narratives and as video games. In common usage, the term refers to text...
pioneer Infocom
Infocom
Infocom was a software company, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that produced numerous works of interactive fiction. They also produced one notable business application, a relational database called Cornerstone....
, released in 1991. It was available in MS-DOS
MS-DOS
MS-DOS is an operating system for x86-based personal computers. It was the most commonly used member of the DOS family of operating systems, and was the main operating system for IBM PC compatible personal computers during the 1980s to the mid 1990s, until it was gradually superseded by operating...
, Apple Macintosh, Amiga
Amiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
, and Apple IIGS
Apple IIGS
The Apple , the fifth and most powerful model in the Apple II series of personal computers produced by Apple Computer. The "GS" in the name stands for Graphics and Sound, referring to its enhanced graphics and sound capabilities, both of which greatly surpassed previous models of the line...
versions, as well as a cross-platform CD-ROM
CD-ROM
A CD-ROM is a pre-pressed compact disc that contains data accessible to, but not writable by, a computer for data storage and music playback. The 1985 “Yellow Book” standard developed by Sony and Philips adapted the format to hold any form of binary data....
version. Infocom was closed in 1989 by its then-parent company Activision
Activision
Activision is an American publisher, majority owned by French conglomerate Vivendi SA. Its current CEO is Robert Kotick. It was founded on October 1, 1979 and was the world's first independent developer and distributor of video games for gaming consoles...
. Still holding the copyright
Copyright
Copyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time...
to nearly all the past Infocom titles, Activision bundled 20 of the most popular into this package. The games included are:
- Zork IZork IZork: The Great Underground Empire - Part I, later known as Zork I, is an interactive fiction computer game written by Marc Blank, Dave Lebling, Bruce Daniels and Tim Anderson and published by Infocom in 1980. It was the first game in the popular Zork trilogy and was released for a wide range of...
- Zork IIZork IIZork II: The Wizard of Frobozz is an interactive fiction computer game published by Infocom in 1981. It was written by Marc Blank, Dave Lebling, Bruce Daniels and Tim Anderson. It was the second game in the popular Zork trilogy and was released for a wide range of computer systems. It begins where...
- Zork IIIZork IIIZork III: The Dungeon Master is an interactive fiction computer game written by Marc Blank, Dave Lebling, Bruce Daniels and Tim Anderson and published by Infocom in 1982. It was the third game in the popular Zork trilogy and was released for a wide range of computer systems...
- Beyond ZorkBeyond ZorkBeyond Zork was an interactive fiction computer game written by Brian Moriarty and released by Infocom in 1987...
- Zork ZeroZork ZeroZork Zero: The Revenge of Megaboz is an interactive fiction computer game, written by Steve Meretzky over nearly 18 months and published by Infocom in 1988, with an original retail price of $59.95...
- Enchanter
- Sorcerer
- SpellbreakerSpellbreakerSpellbreaker is an interactive fiction computer game written by Dave Lebling and released by Infocom in 1985, the third and final game in the "Enchanter Trilogy". Like most of Infocom's games, it was released for many of the time's popular computer platforms, such as the Commodore 64, Atari ST and...
- Deadline
- The Witness
- Suspect
- The Lurking HorrorThe Lurking HorrorThe Lurking Horror is an interactive fiction computer game released by Infocom in 1987. The game was written by Dave Lebling and inspired by the horror writings of H. P. Lovecraft...
- Ballyhoo
- Infidel
- MoonmistMoonmistMoonmist is an interactive fiction computer game implemented by Stu Galley and published by Infocom in 1986. By using Infocom's portable Z-machine, the game was released simultaneously for many popular platforms, including the IBM PC, Apple II, Amiga, Atari ST and Commodore 64...
- Starcross
- SuspendedSuspendedSuspended: A Cryogenic Nightmare is an interactive fiction computer game written by Michael Berlyn and published by Infocom in 1983. Like most Infocom titles, it was available on most popular personal computers of the day, such as the Apple II, PC, Atari ST and Commodore 64...
- PlanetfallPlanetfallPlanetfall is a science fiction interactive fiction computer game written by Steve Meretzky, and the eighth title published by Infocom in 1983. Like most Infocom games, thanks to the portable Z-machine, it was released for several platforms simultaneously. The original release included versions...
- StationfallStationfallStationfall is an interactive fiction computer game written by Steve Meretzky and released by Infocom in 1987. Like the majority of Infocom's works, it was released simultaneously for several popular computer platforms of the time, such as the Commodore 64, Apple II, and PC. The game is a sequel to...
- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
The package contains all the instructions (bound in one volume) and maps for each game as well as all the InvisiClues
InvisiClues
InvisiClues were hint booklets sold by Infocom to help players solve puzzles in their interactive fiction computer games.Before Infocom's games exploded in popularity, players could request hints by mail and receive a type-written sheet in response. When the number of requests proved...
, printed normally instead of using "invisible" ink. The package also features a launch menu which lets the user select which one of the 20 games they wish to play.
An additional bonus was the updated version of Hitchhiker's Guide. The game was repackaged using a later version of the Z-machine
Z-machine
The Z-machine is a virtual machine that was developed by Joel Berez and Marc Blank in 1979 and used by Infocom for its text adventure games. Infocom compiled game code to files containing Z-machine instructions , and could therefore port all its text adventures to a new platform simply by writing a...
than the original, and now featured a built-in hint system.
Some significant omissions from the package were the "feelies" for which Infocom had become known. The package merely contained photocopies or pictures of these items, such as the sunglasses from Hitchhiker's Guide and the Stellar Patrol ID card from Planetfall. Including these items would have significantly increased the production costs and package weight of the release, however, so the decision is understandable if lamentable.
Many fans complained about the quality of the enclosed documents. Not only did the feelies lose much of their "realism", but many of the original items were reduced in size and scanned at such low resolution that they were nearly unreadable. The InvisiClues text provided in the collection's hint book appeared to have been hastily transcribed, containing numerous typographical errors. In addition, some items were accidentally omitted. At least one game (Ballyhoo) was rendered unwinnable without prior knowledge due to these oversights. Regardless of this lapse in quality control, The Lost Treasures of Infocom sold well.
The Lost Treasures of Infocom II
The success of the original Lost Treasures of Infocom prompted a follow-up collection published in 1992 and appropriately titled The Lost Treasures of Infocom II. This package contained 11 more classic Infocom titles. The games included in Lost Treasures II were:- Border Zone
- A Mind Forever VoyagingA Mind Forever VoyagingA Mind Forever Voyaging is an interactive fiction game designed and implemented by Steve Meretzky and published by Infocom in 1985...
- Plundered HeartsPlundered HeartsPlundered Hearts is an interactive fiction computer game created by Amy Briggs and published by Infocom in 1987. It was released simultaneously for several popular computer platforms of the time, such as the PC and Commodore 64. Plundered Hearts was Infocom's first game in the "romance" genre...
- Bureaucracy
- Cutthroats
- Hollywood HijinxHollywood HijinxHollywood Hijinx is an interactive fiction computer game written by "Hollywood" Dave Anderson and Liz Cyr-Jones and published by Infocom in 1986. Implemented using Infocom's Z-Machine, the game was released over a wide variety of platforms, including the Apple II, Atari 8-bit and Commodore 64...
- SeastalkerSeastalkerSeastalker is an interactive fiction computer game designed by Stu Galley and Jim Lawrence and published by Infocom in 1984. Like most of Infocom's works, it was released simultaneously for several popular computer platforms of the time, such as the Commodore 64, Apple II, and IBM PC. The game was...
- Sherlock: The Riddle of the Crown JewelsSherlock: The Riddle of the Crown JewelsSherlock: The Riddle of the Crown Jewels is an interactive fiction computer game designed by Bob Bates and published by Infocom in 1988. Like most titles Infocom produced, the use of ZIL made it possible to release the game simultaneously for many popular computer platforms, including the Apple II,...
- WishbringerWishbringerWishbringer: The Magick Stone of Dreams is an interactive fiction computer game written by Brian Moriarty and published by Infocom in 1985. It was intended to be an easier game to solve than the typical Infocom release, and provide a good introduction to interactive fiction for inexperienced players...
- Nord and Bert Couldn't Make Head or Tail of ItNord and Bert Couldn't Make Head or Tail of ItNord and Bert Couldn't Make Head or Tail of It is an interactive fiction computer game written by Jeff O'Neill and published by Infocom in 1987. It was released simultaneously for several popular computer platforms of the time, such as the PC and Commodore 64. Nord and Bert was unique among Infocom...
- Trinity
Leather Goddesses of Phobos
Leather Goddesses of Phobos
Leather Goddesses of Phobos is an interactive fiction computer game written by Steve Meretzky and published by Infocom in 1986. Like many other Infocom titles, it was released for the IBM PC , Atari 8-bit, Amiga, Apple II, Apple Macintosh, Atari ST and Commodore 64 computers...
was not included, but could be ordered for $9.95 via an enclosed coupon.
The quality of the photocopied feelies and manuals was, in general, slightly better than those in the original Lost Treasures package. A few items were reproduced quite faithfully, such as the Trinity site plan and a newspaper and map of London from Sherlock. However, the games' InvisiClues
InvisiClues
InvisiClues were hint booklets sold by Infocom to help players solve puzzles in their interactive fiction computer games.Before Infocom's games exploded in popularity, players could request hints by mail and receive a type-written sheet in response. When the number of requests proved...
were not included as before; instead, a card advertising a pay-per-minute hint line was included in the package.
In addition to being dual-format (MS-DOS
MS-DOS
MS-DOS is an operating system for x86-based personal computers. It was the most commonly used member of the DOS family of operating systems, and was the main operating system for IBM PC compatible personal computers during the 1980s to the mid 1990s, until it was gradually superseded by operating...
and Apple Macintosh), the CD-ROM version included three extra games:
- James Clavell's ShōgunJames Clavell's ShogunJames Clavell's Shōgun is an interactive fiction computer game written by Dave Lebling and released by Infocom in 1989. Like most of Infocom's games, it was released for several popular computer platforms of the time, such as the Apple II and PC. As the title indicates, the game is based on the...
- Arthur: The Quest for ExcaliburArthur: The Quest for ExcaliburArthur: The Quest for Excalibur is an interactive fiction computer game written by Bob Bates and published by Infocom in 1989. Typically for an Infocom title, it was released for many popular computer platforms of the time, such as the Macintosh, PC, and the Apple II series...
- Journey
The Soul of the Samurai and Known World maps from Shogun and the map from Journey were included separately; an added instruction manual included the Book of Hours from Arthur as well as instructions for all three added games.