Zork 1-3 going open source

darjr · Nov 21, 2025

I played Zork on so many different platforms including teletype.

This is about time.

Preserving code that shaped generations: Zork I, II, and III go Open Source

Microsoft’s Open Source Programs Office (OSPO), Team Xbox, and Activision are making Zork I, Zork II, and Zork III available under the MIT License.

opensource.microsoft.com

Whizbang Dustyboots · Nov 21, 2025

Does this affect the content within Zork? Could I make a Zork-based tabletop RPG? Or is it strictly about the underlying code?

darjr · Nov 21, 2025

Whizbang Dustyboots said:
Does this affect the content within Zork? Could I make a Zork-based tabletop RPG? Or is it strictly about the underlying code?

Just the code I believe, but the text within is pretty important. I’d have to take a closer look but I’d love a Zork RPG or just the adventure.

GMMichael · Nov 21, 2025

darjr said:
. . . I’d love a Zork RPG or just the adventure.

I'd stick to the CRPG. Zork has a bit much permadeath for the tastes of today's discursive RPG market, doesn't it?

Whizbang Dustyboots · Nov 21, 2025

GMMichael said:
I'd stick to the CRPG. Zork has a bit much permadeath for the tastes of today's discursive RPG market, doesn't it?

I think a Zork tabletop game would focus more on the setting, the monsters, the magic, etc., rather than they extremely thin mechanics.

Rather than making a new system from scratch, I'd probably build it atop a B/X platform, like OSE.

Olgar Shiverstone · Nov 21, 2025

Dibs on playing the grue.

darjr · Nov 21, 2025

Olgar Shiverstone said:
Dibs on playing the grue.

Dungeon Master, check.

HippyCraig · Nov 22, 2025

This is cool I loved those games and it made it more challenging phasing your action with the right verbs. No point and click you a green screen a wall of text and an imagination.

Just for info there are lots of different apps that help make these try of games just look up Interactive Fiction

MNblockhead · Nov 22, 2025

DM: "You find yourself standing in an open field, west of a white house."
PLAYER: "I check the mail."

darjr · Nov 22, 2025

MNblockhead said:
DM: "You find yourself standing in an open field, west of a white house."
PLAYER: "I check the mail."

It says “you’ve been eaten by a grue”

Zork 1-3 going open source

darjr

I crit!

Preserving code that shaped generations: Zork I, II, and III go Open Source

Whizbang Dustyboots

Gnometown Hero

darjr

I crit!

GMMichael

Guide of Modos

Whizbang Dustyboots

Gnometown Hero

Olgar Shiverstone

Legend

darjr

I crit!

HippyCraig

Explorer

MNblockhead

A Title Much Cooler Than Anything on the Old Site

darjr

I crit!

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