Infocom
Masters of interactive fiction
Infocom perfected the text adventure, creating Zork, Hitchhiker's Guide, and dozens of games that proved words could be as immersive as graphics.
Overview
Founded by MIT researchers, Infocom created the gold standard for interactive fiction. Their Z-machine virtual machine ran on virtually every home computer, their parser understood natural language, and their games—from Zork to A Mind Forever Voyaging—explored genres and themes no one else attempted.
Fast facts
- Founded: 1979 by MIT staff and students.
- Based: Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Speciality: text adventures with sophisticated parser.
- Acquisition: Activision bought Infocom in 1986.
Key games
| Game | Year | Author | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zork I-III | 1980-82 | Multiple | Fantasy adventure |
| Deadline | 1982 | Marc Blank | Mystery |
| Planetfall | 1983 | Steve Meretzky | Sci-fi comedy |
| Enchanter trilogy | 1983-85 | Multiple | Fantasy magic |
| Hitchhiker’s Guide | 1984 | Douglas Adams | Sci-fi comedy |
| A Mind Forever Voyaging | 1985 | Steve Meretzky | Political sci-fi |
| Trinity | 1986 | Brian Moriarty | Historical fantasy |
The Z-machine
Infocom’s technical foundation:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Virtual machine | Same game runs on any platform |
| Bytecode interpreter | Efficient memory use |
| Version evolution | V1-V6 added capabilities over time |
| Modern interpreters | Games still playable today |
Parser technology
Their parser set the standard:
- Full sentence understanding
- Pronoun resolution
- Disambiguation (“Which book do you mean?”)
- Extensive vocabulary per game
The feelies
Infocom packages included physical items:
- Props related to gameplay
- Maps and documents
- Scratch-and-sniff cards
- Copy protection through included materials
Quality writing
Infocom hired talented writers:
- Steve Meretzky (Planetfall, Leather Goddesses)
- Brian Moriarty (Trinity, Beyond Zork)
- Douglas Adams (Hitchhiker’s Guide)
- Dave Lebling (Zork, Spellbreaker)
Decline and fall
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1986 | Activision acquisition |
| 1987 | Cornerstone database failure drains resources |
| 1988 | Layoffs begin |
| 1989 | Final games released; studio effectively closed |
Legacy
Infocom’s influence persists:
- Z-machine specification published, still used
- Games remain playable via interpreters
- Established interactive fiction as literature
- Inform language continues the Z-machine tradition