Text-based Games Get the Limelight in Upcoming Documentary

Around 1975-1985, hardcore gamers could be described as virtual pen and paper gamers. As computers before (back then, you’re considered lucky if yours has an 8 or 16KB memory) aren’t as sophisticated as the ones we have now, most games were text-based RPGs. You would be given a scenario, and you’d type a command for your character to move further in the game. Basically, these are pen and paper RPGs where interaction is limited to you and your computer.

But the advent of more high-tech computers seemed to have rendered these games quite obsolete. So Boston filmmaker and Unix system administrator Jason Scott decided to pay homage to these text-based games with his documentary, “Get Lamp.” Scott adds that the said games are well, books. “Early interactive fiction borrows stylistically from Dungeons & Dragons role-playing games and fantasy adventure novels.”

The said film is currently in the works, and Scott plans to include interviews with the early game developers, which include those who made Zork as well as Adventure, “the first interactive works to gain a following.” We’re not sure when this film will be released, so just regularly check QJ for updates.

Around 1975-1985, hardcore gamers could be described as virtual pen and paper gamers. As computers before (back then, you’re considered lucky if yours has an 8 or 16KB memory) aren’t as sophisticated as the ones we have now, most games were text-based RPGs. You would be given a scenario, and you’d type a command for your character to move further in the game. Basically, these are pen and paper RPGs where interaction is limited to you and your computer.

But the advent of more high-tech computers seemed to have rendered these games quite obsolete. So Boston filmmaker and Unix system administrator Jason Scott decided to pay homage to these text-based games with his documentary, “Get Lamp.” Scott adds that the said games are well, books. “Early interactive fiction borrows stylistically from Dungeons & Dragons role-playing games and fantasy adventure novels.”

The said film is currently in the works, and Scott plans to include interviews with the early game developers, which include those who made Zork as well as Adventure, “the first interactive works to gain a following.” We’re not sure when this film will be released, so just regularly check QJ for updates.