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In mid-1980s, a small company called Mark Data Products released 6
parser-based graphic adventure games similar to early Polarware and Scott Adams
titles. While the games are reasonably successful on Tandy's CoCo computer, the IBM
PC versions did not achieve the same level of success. While the graphics are quite
good at the time, the parser is quite primitive - only simple verb+noun constructs
such as GET HAT are understood, and some verbs that are common in IF games such as
SEARCH are not always recognized. Fortunately, the games make up for primitive parser
with well-written plot, fun characters, and some clever puzzles. The plot of
Trekboer: "This exciting adventure begins abord the starship TREKBOER in the 21st
century. Life on Earth is threatened by a deadly virus and your mission is to search
the frontiers of space for the cure that will save mankind from disaster. But how?
Where? The name of your starship provides the first clue." Thanks to the generosity
of Bob Withers, co-creator, both the games and their source codes are up on his
website for free download. |
