Steve Meretzky
Infocom's comedy genius
The prolific Infocom designer who collaborated with Douglas Adams on Hitchhiker's Guide and created the beloved robot Floyd in Planetfall.
Steve Meretzky was Infocom’s most prolific game designer, creating or co-creating over a dozen titles including the Douglas Adams collaboration The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and the emotionally resonant Planetfall - famous for Floyd, the first video game character to make players cry. His specialty was comedy, but he proved text adventures could deliver genuine emotional moments.
Fast facts
- Born: 1957
- Joined Infocom: 1982
- Games: 14+ at Infocom alone
- Style: Comedy, emotional depth
- Famous for: Floyd the robot, Hitchhiker’s
Floyd the Robot
Planetfall’s breakout character:
- Childlike robot companion
- Annoying but endearing
- Players genuinely cared about him
- The death scene - made players cry
- Proved games could have emotional depth
In 1983, a robot’s death was gaming’s first tear-jerker moment.
The Adams Collaboration
Working with Douglas Adams on Hitchhiker’s:
- Adams already famous for radio/books
- Meretzky handled implementation
- Adams wrote prose and puzzles
- Result: Frustrating but beloved game
- Babel fish puzzle became legendary
Games Designed
| Game | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Planetfall | 1983 | Floyd the robot |
| Sorcerer | 1984 | Enchanter sequel (with Blank) |
| Hitchhiker’s Guide | 1984 | Douglas Adams collaboration |
| A Mind Forever Voyaging | 1985 | Political science fiction |
| Leather Goddesses of Phobos | 1986 | Adult comedy |
| Stationfall | 1987 | Planetfall sequel |
| Zork Zero | 1988 | Prequel with graphics |
A Mind Forever Voyaging
Meretzky’s most ambitious work:
- Political science fiction
- Player observes future timelines
- Commentary on Reagan-era policies
- Minimal puzzles, maximum narrative
- Proved games could have something to say
Comedy Writing
Meretzky’s humour style:
- Puns (lots of puns)
- Absurdist situations
- Self-aware fourth-wall breaks
- Pop culture references
- Warm rather than cruel
Post-Infocom
After Infocom’s decline:
- Founded Boffo Games
- Worked at Legend Entertainment
- Designed Spellcasting series
- Continued making games into 2000s
- Remains active in game design community
Legacy
Meretzky proved:
- Games could be genuinely funny
- Characters could matter emotionally
- Comedy and depth weren’t mutually exclusive
- Writers could be game designers