A downloadable text adventure

The Job

You've got a job to do, whether you like it or not. Find that necklace!

A short text adventure in Z-code format, with built-in hints. Use the Z-code interpreter of your choice to play it. For Windows, Mac and Linux, Gargoyle is a great choice: http://ccxvii.net/gargoyle/ 

Google "z-code interpreter" and your platform name to find an interpreter for another platform.

Platforms

The archive contains the same game in various formats.

Z-code

There is a z3 and a z5 version. The z3 game can be bundled with Z-code interpreters for lots of 8-bit platforms. The z5 game looks a little better and has a nicer menu system. Apart from this, they are the same.

Commodore

The archive also includes versions built for Commodore 64, Commodore 128, Commodore Plus/4 (or Commodore 16 with 64 KB RAM) and MEGA65. These are all based on the z5 version.

Acorn/BBC

There is an Acorn version, which works on BBC B, B+ or Master or Acorn Electron. While it should work on a BBC B with 32K of RAM, it's much faster with 16K extra RAM or a co-processor, or on a more powerful computer. This build is also based on the z5 version of the game.

Source

The full source code of the game is also included in the archive. You compile it, you will need to install the PunyInform library and the Inform 6 compiler.

The jam version

The initial version of the game, which was made for PunyJam #1, is provided as a separate download. It's not as good as the current version, and is only available here for completeness. 

Hints

All builds, except the jam version, have hints in the game (type "help"). The hints are progressive, so you don't have to see more than just enough to get you past the current hurdle.

Play online

The game can also be played online at https://j4qdr3n2.play.borogove.io/

Download

Download
the_job_R5.zip - Latest release, for all platforms 397 kB
Download
thejob.z5 - jam version, not so good 36 kB

Development log

Comments

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very good

Thank you!

Updated the game to release 5.

Updated the game to release 4.

I don't know how to load a saved game. It appears to save okay. It's being difficult contacting the author.

The command is "restore"

You can contact me here or at [firstname].[lastname]@gmail.com

Thanks so much. It would be great if you can add it in, as it's not a widely used command. I always used Load.

There are two traditions to this - This game is really modelled after Infocom's games, which always used 'restore', while a lot of other text adventures used 'load'. I should perhaps add instructions on common commands to the game.