Are Infocom games under a copywrite?

Sanguinous Rex · Sat 11/02/2006 18:24:01

I was thinking that a really nice project would be taking Infocom text games and bringing them to life with the AGS system... Imagine replaying Zork I, but this time will brilliant graphics, sound, and perhaps even a speechpack. If that did well, I could see a graphical adventure game of other Infocom games... A Mind Forever Voyaging? Zork II? Spellcraft? Starcross? Leather Goddesses of Phobos! So many juicy text games that deserve graphics

Are Infocom games still under a copywrite? Because I'm very interested (if others are as well) in forming a group dedicated to bringing the old Infocom games into a new era

Elliott Hird · Sat 11/02/2006 18:25:13

They are still copyrighted and protected by Infocom, Inc. a subsidary of Activision.

Sanguinous Rex · Sat 11/02/2006 18:29:13

Quote from: Elliott Hird on Sat 11/02/2006 18:25:13
They are still copyrighted and protected by Infocom, Inc. a subsidary of Activision.

Damn. Well, I suppose that's that, eh? It's too bad, they're just letting those games rot away *sigh*

Elliott Hird · Sat 11/02/2006 18:42:32

They're very easy to get illegally though. Nobody seems to care anymore. I say go for it, but shut down at the first cough from Activision's lawyers. I'd help.

Rui 'Trovatore' Pires · Sat 11/02/2006 18:52:27

Well, Rex, it's interesting that you should take an interest on it. I've had a couple of thoughts about it myself. Contact me via PM or MSN (my address is on my profile) - I'd like to discuss it further.

And about copyright, I second Elliot - go right on ahead, and keep working until you get a cease-and-desist letter. It's not likely to come, not with games these old. I'm not sure they even sell them.

Elliott Hird · Sat 11/02/2006 18:56:47

Well, a team of 3 already. See my profile for info, or: MSN: sargetron@hotmail.com, AIM: sargetron, Email: elliotthird@tiscali.co.uk

Trumgottist · Sat 11/02/2006 19:04:31

Quote from: Sanguinous Rex on Sat 11/02/2006 18:24:01So many juicy text games that deserve graphics

No game deserves graphics. There's absolutely nothing wrong with text-only games! In some ways they are superior to graphical games.

Having said that, if you want to do something with the old Infocom games, I think you should talk to Activision. There exists some fangames that are written with permission. (See for example Mr Bill's Adventureland for a list.) And in that case, I think also you should do it in the style of Zork GI.

Rui 'Trovatore' Pires · Sat 11/02/2006 19:07:48

Or Return to Zork, if it's a Zork game. Return to Zork had a remarkable interface. It was very close to IF, except it was point and click. Possibly the closest, even in feel, to the parser games.

Anyway, why should any game be made in the style of an already made game? Surely, whichever style suits the game would be best.

Trumgottist · Sat 11/02/2006 19:13:08

I meant first person with pretty, realistic graphics - like all the graphical Zorks. Doing Zork as a LA/Sierra-style adventure would feel wrong, IMHO. (Be unsuitable for the games, if you wish.)

Rui 'Trovatore' Pires · Sat 11/02/2006 19:15:55

Ah, hah.

Yes, I think so too.

Elliott Hird · Sat 11/02/2006 19:31:14

This looks positive!

Sanguinous Rex · Sat 11/02/2006 19:59:37

Quote from: Trumgottist on Sat 11/02/2006 19:13:08
I meant first person with pretty, realistic graphics - like all the graphical Zorks. Doing Zork as a LA/Sierra-style adventure would feel wrong, IMHO. (Be unsuitable for the games, if you wish.)

I don't know, I think I disagree with you on this one. Sure, Infocom games presented YOU in a 1st person perspective, but when re-creating a genre, you don't have to do it rote-for-rote. I believe a 3rd person adventure game viewpoint would be re-invigorating, especially if the graphics were really detailed and poured out from the monitor in brilliant colors.

I sent Rui and Elliot PM's, so you guys can reply when you get them.

Elliott Hird · Sat 11/02/2006 20:00:27

That's a good point. This seems pointing towards a Zork fangame... mmh... hmm...

Erenan · Sun 12/02/2006 06:21:32

That's funny. I just played Starcross and Enchanter again the other day, and I was thinking that it would be fun to reinterpret them as graphical games. I played those games for the first time way back when I was just a wee little tot. They were way too hard for me then, but now I can appreciate them a lot better.

I think graphical remakes are a great idea.

esper · Sun 12/02/2006 09:03:38

Zork wouldn't need a speechpack, as I don't think anyone (the troll, or the robber? I don't remember) spoke. THe question becomes, however, that if you make a LGoP remake, will it come with shit-smelling scratch and sniff cards?

EDIT: Grunt. I would offer my services, but the only thing I could really give to the project would be writing, and all the writing already exists.

Elliott Hird · Sun 12/02/2006 10:36:47

Well, esper, it wouldn't be a 1:1 remake, simply because that just "wouldn't work" graphically. Also, some of the stupid puzzles would have to be replaced, I'd think.

esper · Sun 12/02/2006 11:02:11

Wellllll, if the project ever takes off, I'll be glad to help. I loved the old Infocom games, as they were the first games I ever played, EVER. Part of my writing style comes from their inspiration, I would think.

Dave Gilbert · Wed 15/02/2006 10:57:39

Why does everyone want to remake Zork? :

True, the original text games were great games, but I wouldn't call them interesting. They were a ton of fun from a puzzle-solving standpoint, but as a fascinating world to explore it certainly wasn't. The few NPCs that populated the games were cardboard cutouts, and the plot wasn't any deeper than "find all the treasures".

There are other Infocom games much more worthy of a remake. Unless you plan on revamping the details and adding many more story elements ala KQ2+, let Zork 1-3 rest in peace the way they are.

-D

Kinoko · Wed 15/02/2006 11:47:29

Leave LGoP alone, I'd say... there are way too many word-based jokes, I don't think it'd work. Plus, well, that game really is better left with the imagination ^_-

esper · Wed 15/02/2006 12:09:14

Yeah, how does one do a graphical representation of:

Quote"You insert the cotton balls into the "T" remover..."