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Show HN: Resurrecting Infocom's Unix Z-Machine with Cosmopolitan

(christopherdrum.github.io)
156 points ChristopherDrum | 1 comments | 14 Apr 25 03:51 UTC | HN request time: 0.206s | source

I recently brought Infocom's original UNIX z-machine source code back to life on modern systems. The modified source code, instructions on usage, a build of the z-machine, and examples of embedded game executables are available.

There is also a detailed write-up about the state of the original source code, the porting process, and the invaluable role Justine Tunney's Cosmpolitan project played in bringing the Zork trilogy (and more) to Windows/Mac/Linux/bsd for arm/x86 machines over the course of a lazy Sunday.

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wyldfire ◴[14 Apr 25 04:46 UTC] No.43678129[source]▶
Funny coincidental timing - I just played HHGTTG a couple of times last night for the first time in thirty+ years or so.

I first played the game, way back - prior to having read the novel. It was mind-blowing. I had no idea what was going on but I got a real sense that it could be pretty funny if I did. So I read the novel eventually, and it was as good as I expected. I don't think I'd gone back to play the game until this week, though.

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ChristopherDrum ◴[14 Apr 25 05:14 UTC] No.43678283[source]▶
It had never occurred to me that someone might have the game be their first HHGTTG experience over some other media. For me, the BBC television series was my gateway into the world, then the game (I was already hooked on Infocom by then), then the books.

HHGTTG is a .z3 game and is compatible with this project's build of the Infocom source, should you get the urge to play again in another 30 years.

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dcsan ◴[14 Apr 25 12:40 UTC] No.43680653[source]▶
BBC tv or radio? Seems odd now to think back to a fixed time radio broadcast but I loved the radio show
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1. ChristopherDrum ◴[14 Apr 25 22:54 UTC] No.43687177[source]▶
TV series, absolutely; I've actually never heard the radio program. It aired on PBS in my area along with Monty Python, The Young Ones, and other shows from "across the pond."