Valley of the Minotaur: Difference between revisions
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'''''Valley of the Minotaur''''' is a [[computer game]] for the [[Apple II]] series of [[home computer]]s. It was published by ''[[Softalk]]'' magazine<ref>[http://adventure.if-legends.org/Softalk_Magazine.html Adventureland: Legends of Interactive Fiction], list of interactive fiction games produced by ''Softalk Magazine''</ref> in [[1983 in video gaming|1983]], on a 5¼ inch [[floppy disk]]. It is a work of [[interactive fiction]], also known as a "[[text adventure]]". The game occurs within a large, [[fictional universe|fictional setting]] that includes a detailed and exotic [[terrain]], with some references to [[Greek mythology]]. |
'''''Valley of the Minotaur''''' is a [[computer game]] for the [[Apple II]] series of [[home computer]]s. It was published by ''[[Softalk]]'' magazine<ref>[http://adventure.if-legends.org/Softalk_Magazine.html Adventureland: Legends of Interactive Fiction], list of interactive fiction games produced by ''Softalk Magazine''</ref> in [[1983 in video gaming|1983]], on a 5¼ inch [[floppy disk]]. It is a work of [[interactive fiction]], also known as a "[[text adventure]]". The game occurs within a large, [[fictional universe|fictional setting]] that includes a detailed and exotic [[terrain]], with some references to [[Greek mythology]]. |
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[[File:Cover VOTM.jpg|thumbnail|Cover of "The Valley of the Minotaur"]] |
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==Overview== |
==Overview== |
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Despite the fact it relies on a simple verb-noun [[parser]], it appears to be inspired by the first of the ''[[Zork]]'' games, in that the goal is to collect treasures, and to deposit them in a [[telephone booth]] (whereas in ''[[Zork I|Zork I: The Great Underground Empire]]'', the goal is to collect treasures to be stored in a trophy case). Additionally, the game features a giant [[bat]], which will pick up the [[player character|player]] (without his consent), and carry him to various other locations within the game (a feature nearly identical to the giant bat in the first of the [[Zork|''Zork'' trilogy]] games), as well as travel by [[rowboat|boat]] (which is also featured in ''Zork I''). |
Despite the fact it relies on a simple verb-noun [[parser]], it appears to be inspired by the first of the ''[[Zork]]'' games, in that the goal is to collect treasures, and to deposit them in a [[telephone booth]] (whereas in ''[[Zork I|Zork I: The Great Underground Empire]]'', the goal is to collect treasures to be stored in a trophy case). Additionally, the game features a giant [[bat]], which will pick up the [[player character|player]] (without his consent), and carry him to various other locations within the game (a feature nearly identical to the giant bat in the first of the [[Zork|''Zork'' trilogy]] games), as well as travel by [[rowboat|boat]] (which is also featured in ''Zork I''). |
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Revision as of 21:57, 27 June 2014
| Valley of the Minotaur | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Softalk |
| Publisher(s) | Softalk |
| Designer(s) | Nicolas van Dyk |
| Platform(s) | Apple II series |
| Release | 1983 |
| Genre(s) | Interactive Fiction |
| Mode(s) | One Player only |
Valley of the Minotaur is a computer game for the Apple II series of home computers. It was published by Softalk magazine[1] in 1983, on a 5¼ inch floppy disk. It is a work of interactive fiction, also known as a "text adventure". The game occurs within a large, fictional setting that includes a detailed and exotic terrain, with some references to Greek mythology.
Overview
Despite the fact it relies on a simple verb-noun parser, it appears to be inspired by the first of the Zork games, in that the goal is to collect treasures, and to deposit them in a telephone booth (whereas in Zork I: The Great Underground Empire, the goal is to collect treasures to be stored in a trophy case). Additionally, the game features a giant bat, which will pick up the player (without his consent), and carry him to various other locations within the game (a feature nearly identical to the giant bat in the first of the Zork trilogy games), as well as travel by boat (which is also featured in Zork I).
Valley of the Minotaur features many aspects which, at that early period in gaming history, were essentially unique to itself, such as an encounter with a tribe of cannibalistic headhunters. In addition to treasure collection, there is a secondary goal, necessary in order to solve the game: The slaying of the dreaded Minotaur.
The game appears to have some bugs, but that is difficult to determine without confirmation from the designer. What appear to have been bugs, may have simply been the off-beat nature of the game itself. Valley of the Minotaur was an unusually long and complex work of interactive fiction for its time, and gameplay required the use of both sides of its floppy disk. The game was not a big seller in its day, and is today very obscure, and extremely difficult to find.
About the Designer
Designer Nicolas Van Dyk was only 13 years old when designing and publishing this game. Today he looks back at the game as "terrible".[2]
About the Writer
The content, descriptions, and many of the characters and plot were written by Nick's classmate, Christopher M Evans. Christopher Evans also designed the map. Later, he collaborated with Nick Van Dyke on a second text based adventure project, 'Return to the Valley of the Minotaur', which was finished, but not published. The writing and concepts were heavily influenced by popular text based exploration games of the day, including 'Microsoft's Adventure', 'Zork I' and 'II', as well as the maps from 'Wizardry'. Other influences in the writing of 'Valley of the Minotaur' were Dungeons & Dragons, and some of the props from Dr. Who—the Telephone Booth in the game is a reference to the Tardis.
References
- ^ Adventureland: Legends of Interactive Fiction, list of interactive fiction games produced by Softalk Magazine
- ^ PM:X^2, "I wrote and published a terrible computer game when I was 13."
3. http://giganticjet.blogspot.com/2013/11/wiki-stub-for-game-valley-of-minotaur.html