Listen to PERSONAL COMPUTER by MASTER BOOT RECORD #np on #SoundCloud

--- _Probably not the best game of 1983, but likely the best**manual cover** of 1983._ For the first time since January, it's time to discuss the next seven games on the "upcoming" list, plus a "secret eighth" that will be here sooner rather than later. When we last did this, I assumed that _The Elder Scrolls: Arena_ would take a lot longer than it did, and also that I'd like it a lot more than I did. I correctly estimated that _Realms of Arkania: Star Trail_ would tie me up for a while. As a reminder, this discussion is to offer: * Opinions about the game's RPG status. While applying your own definitions to such a discussion is fine, what really helps is if you apply mine. The FAQ (7th question) covers my definition. * Tips for emulating the game * Known bugs and pitfalls * Tips for character creation * Trivia * Predictions for my reaction and/or the GIMLET score (without specifics that will spoil the game). * Sources of information about the game from around the web, particularly obscure ones that I might otherwise miss during my pre-game research. These are the next seven titles: * _Al-Qadim: The Genie's Curse_(1994 | DOS | Cyberlore). My understanding is that this is a relatively simple action RPG, perhaps more notable for its _D &D_ credentials than its RPG ones. * _The Odyssey_(1993 | Macintosh | Independent): An iconographic shareware adventure for the Macintosh that uses classical themes. It looks competent enough. * _Escape from Ragor_ (1994 | DOS | Motelsoft): I've done poorly with Motelsoft's iconographic games, but better with its first-person games. This is a first-person game. It appears to me to be a single-character _Dungeon Master_ clone. * _Dungeon Arcade_ (1987 | Atari 800 | Antic): Most of the games from the 1980s that are "unplayed" on my list are questionable as RPGs, but I watched some video of this one, and it seems solid enough. It's an iconographic game, but I can't tell from video whether its primary inspiration is roguelikes, early _Ultima_ , or the _Quest_ series. * _Pagan: Ultima VIII_ (1994 | DOS | Origin): This will be the first mainline _Ultima_ game that I've never previously played, except for about five minutes. I'd say I was looking forward to it, but there must have been a reason that my previous attempt only lasted about five minutes. As for the famous jumping puzzles, I'm going to try to start with a pre-patch version --- _I don't care for the look of it._ * _Warriors and Warlocks: Scenario - Castle Myrhavell_ (1983 | TRS-80 | Random House): This one flew under the radar until Dungy discovered it and added it to MobyGames a couple of years ago. I gather it's a _Wizardry_ clone, but it has some nice production values. It's iffy whether I'll be able to play it: I thought I had a working version when I added it to the list, but that turned out not to be the case. I'm looking for another one. * _Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession_ (1994 | DOS | DreamForge). Back when I used to read (but not play) _Dungeons & Dragons_ modules, I thought that _Ravenloft_ was the best I'd ever read. Years later, I found out that many people shared that opinion. I have no idea what to expect from the CRPG adaptation except a vague notion that if it were any good, it would be more famous. I know it uses the same engine as _Menzoberranzan_ from later in the year. Video suggests that it blends elements of _Eye of the Beholder_ and _Ultima Underworld_. --- _A shot from_ Ravenloft _, I assume in camp._ As I mentioned in the opening paragraph, in addition to these announced games, we're also going to have, in the near future, a guest series on _The Search for Freedom_ (1994), written by our colleague, AlphabeticalAnonymous. _Freedom_ is the second of two RPGs by Howard Feldman of the Museum of Computer Adventure Game History fame. I did not choose it for my primary pass through 1994. I will be away a bunch between 20 May and 7 June, so AA's series will help me keep on track during a period in which my own playing time will be limited. I can't say that I'm really looking forward to any of these games, but neither am I dreading them. Hopefully, one or more will turn out to be unexpectedly fun. **** **Mark your calendars: 20 June 2026 is MUD Day!** On Saturday, 20 June 2026 from 18:00-22:00 UTC (14:00-18:00 EDT in the U.S.), maybe longer depending on how things go, I will be playing the original _Multi-User Dungeon_ (1978), as hosted on British Legends. (I will subsequently post an entry about it.) You will find me in the game as "Chester" or maybe some obvious variant. Please, no one be a jackass and confuse things by creating similar names or pretending to be me. --- _The modern iteration of a 50-year-old game._ _MUD_ was created by two students at the University of Essex on a DEC PDP-10, inspired by _Zork_ (1977). Starting in 1983, players from around the world could access the game remotely. It was licensed by CompuServe in 1987 and renamed _British Legends_. It lasted until 1999. In 2000, Viktor Toth registered the domain british-legends.com and rewrote the game from its pre-CompuServe source code. While MUD is not the first CRPG or even the first multiplayer CRPG, it is notable for going a slightly different direction than the multiplayer games that preceded it, predominantly the PLATO-based dungeon crawlers like _Moria_ (1975) and _Oubliette_ (1978). It mixed CRPG-style attributes and experience with the interface of a text adventure and spawned a subgenre of games that players enjoy to this day. Here's all you have to do to join the game from a Windows 10/11 computer: 1. Go to the "Turn Windows Features On or Off" control panel. 2. Check the box next to "Telnet." 3. Type Windows-R, then "CMD," then ENTER. (You can replace these steps with a dedicated terminal emulator like PTerm or PUTTY.) 4. At the prompt, type: TELNET british-legends.com 27750 5. Enter a user name. The game will then ask you for an email address. Once you type it in, it will send you a password. Then just repeat Steps 4-5, enter the password, and Jack's a doughnut, you're in the game! --- _Logging in to MUD._ Of course, you'll want to read some information about how to play the game first. The site has a "How to Play" page, a more elaborate "More Advice" page, and a "FAQ." I've been in touch with Viktor Toth, the owner of the site, and he doesn't anticipate any problems. He warns that if there are more than 36 players, the server will create a second instance of the game, so you may end up in a world in which I'm not participating. --- _A long and ultimately tragic battle with a zombie._ **Since MUD is a multiplayer game, let's make this a multi-author entry!** Record your notes and thoughts about your experience with the game, take screenshots, and either send everything to me within 48 hours of our playing session, or post your experiences to the comments after my entry is published. **And let's try to recreate the original experience**. Take notes, make maps, avoid spoilers. Provide hints (but not outright spoilers) to other players. Hang out in the tearoom in chat. Yell! And of course kill each other (and me) to harvest our treasure and points. Let me know if you have any questions; otherwise, I look forward to seeing you there!

DOS Game Club is a monthly discussion and roundtable podcast, covering one classic DOS game each episode.

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Penult RPG for DOS, optimized for early PCs (PC/XT with CGA graphics)

Listen to Tears Dissolved in Light by Offernat #np on #SoundCloud

Al Lowe, author of Leisure Suit Larry, abuses the Old West in computerdom's first