Lmst

Zork Running on 4-Bit Intel Computer https://hackaday.com/2026/01/03/zork-running-on-4-bit-intel-computer/
#Games #Retrocomputing #Fourbit #Intel4004 #Virtualization #Zmachine #Zork

Zork Running on 4-Bit Intel Computer

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://hackaday.com/2026/01/03/zork-running-on-4-bit-intel-computer/

<div><img alt="" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" height="450" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/zork-4004-main.png?w=800" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" width="800" /></div><p>Before <em>DOOM</em> would run on any computing system ever produced, and indeed before it even ran on its first computer, the game that would run on any computer of the pre-<em>DOOM</em> era was <em>Zork</em>. This was a text-based adventure game first published in the late 70s that could run on a number of platforms thanks to a virtual machine that interpreted the game code. This let the programmers write a new VM for each platform rather than porting the game every time. [smbakeryt] wanted to see how far he could push this design and g<a href="https://github.com/sbelectronics/4004-zork" target="_blank">ot the classic game running on one of the oldest computers ever produced</a>.</p>
<p>The computer in question is the ubiquitous Intel 4004 processor, the first commercially available general-purpose microprocessor produced. This was a four-bit machine and predates the release of <em>Zork</em> by about eight years. As discussed earlier, though, the only thing needed to get <em>Zork</em> to run on any machine is the Z-machine for that platform, so [smbakeryt] got to work. He’s working on a Heathkit H9 terminal, and the main limitation here is the amount of RAM needed to run the game. He was able to extended the address bus to increase the available

Zork agora é código aberto… E o que descobrimos a respeito.

https://retropolis.com.br/2025/12/04/zork-agora-e-codigo-aberto-e-o-que-descobrimos-a-respeito/

#MundoRetro #Activision #adventure #Blizzard #CdigoAberto #GitHub #infocom #microsoft #MIT #ZIL #zork

Da pochi giorni la Microsoft ha rilasciato i sorgenti di Zork I, II e III sotto licenza MIT e, dice la Microsoft, ora si può giocare gratuitamente. Ma i sorgenti non erano stati pubblicati già anni fa? E Zork non viene già giocato gratuitamente da decenni senza problemi? Cerchiamo di capire come stanno le cose! #zork #textadventure #opensource https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE3LNXhfXx4

Zork I, II, and III Source Code Released as Open Source for Education and Preservation

A true gem of innovation.

[View original comment]

trying to play the 1977 version of #Zork (via https://github.com/jordanhubbard/mdlzork )

>i
I don't know the word I
>examine me
I don't know the word ME
>e
The Troll Room
A nasty-looking troll, brandishing a bloody axe, blocks all passages
out of the room.
Your sword has begun to glow very brightly.
>kill troll with sword
Your swing misses the troll by an inch.
The flat of the troll's axe hits you delicately on the head, knocking
you out.
Conquering his fears, the troll puts you to death.

 *ERROR*
 "UNBOUND-VARIABLE"
 "GVAL"
 DBG
LISTENING-AT-LEVEL 2 PROCESS 1
Atom REP has neither LVAL nor GVAL

ok, zork

#zork

Fortunately, there is still one chance for you to be a vandal, for on the
far wall is a painting of unparalleled beauty.

> look at painting
There’s nothing special about the painting.

ok, zork

#zork #InteractiveFiction #use

A text based game interface with the following text:

> use sword on door
I don't know the word 'use'

Games at Work dot biz
(@)gamesatwork_biz :

e534 with Michael, Andy and Michael - #AI and #ML training data, #camouflage, #OpenSource #Zork, #Deadpool #VR, #NPH #movies and a whole lot more.

https://gamesatwork.biz/2025/11/24/e534-hiding-in-plain-sight/

e534 with Michael, Andy and Michael - #AI and #ML training data, #camouflage, #OpenSource #Zork, #Deadpool #VR, #NPH #movies and a whole lot more.

https://gamesatwork.biz/2025/11/24/e534-hiding-in-plain-sight/

e534 — Hiding in Plain Sight

e534 with Michael, Andy and Michael - #AI and #ML training data, #camouflage, #OpenSource #Zork, #Deadpool #VR, #NPH #movies and a whole lot more.

https://gamesatwork.biz/2025/11/24/e534-hiding-in-plain-sight/

e534 with Michael, Andy and Michael - #AI and #ML training data, #camouflage, #OpenSource #Zork, #Deadpool #VR, #NPH #movies and a whole lot more.

https://gamesatwork.biz/2025/11/24/e534-hiding-in-plain-sight/

e534 with Michael, Andy and Michael - #AI and #ML training data, #camouflage, #OpenSource #Zork, #Deadpool #VR, #NPH #movies and a whole lot more. https://gamesatwork.biz/2025/11/24/e534-hiding-in-plain-sight/

Pulling together the #shownotes in #ChapelHill for Monday’s posting of e534 for @andypiper @michaelrowe01 and me. Stories and discussion on #AI and #ML training data, #camouflage, #OpenSource #Zork, #Deadpool #VR, #NPH #movies and a whole lot more. Check out earlier episodes, chock full of #AI #metaverse #AR #VR #gamification and so much more on https://www.gamesatwork.biz

facade of the Musée du Louvre
Photo by Tim Wildsmith on Unsplash

All this talk about #infocom and #zork - all I care about is the original #dungeon game that ran on larger (than pc) computers. #dec10 #tops20 #vax11

Zork I, II, and III Source Code Released as Open Source for Education and Preservation

Great point! Open-sourcing Zork’s code is a valuable educational step, ensuring its preservation while fostering future innovation.

[View original comment]

I generally found text adventure games ultimately frustrating, but still have an odd nostalgia for some of the earlier ones like Zork.

While I have plenty of gripes with Microsoft, this seems like a nice thing:
https://boingboing.net/2025/11/21/microsoft-makes-zork-source-code-freely-available.html

#Zork

(Linux news in previous posts of thread)

FOSS NEWS

After Nearly 10 Years of Building Mastodon, Eugen Rochko Steps Into Advisory Role:
https://itsfoss.com/news/mastodon-ceo-steps-down/

TABS API is Mozilla’s Latest Bet on the Agentic Web:
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2025/11/mozilla-tabs-api-ai-web-agents

Firefox recent updates improve tab group handling:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/11/firefox-recent-updates-improve-tab-group-handling/

Firefox 147 Will Support The XDG Base Directory Specification:
https://www.phoronix.com/news/Firefox-147-XDG-Base-Directory

A great showcase of open source - Blender 5.0 is out with completely overhauled colour management:
https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2025/11/a-great-showcase-of-open-source-blender-5-0-is-out-with-completely-overhauled-colour-management/

GIMP 3.2 RC1 launches with proper SVG export, improved text editor, and UI enhancements:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/11/gimp-3-2-rc1-launches-with-proper-svg-export-improved-text-editor-and-ui-enhancements/

Signal to add pinned messages feature for chats on all platforms:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/11/signal-to-add-pinned-messages-feature-for-chats-on-all-platforms/

Bluesky adds new moderation tools with expanded categories & a unified enforcement system:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/11/bluesky-adds-new-moderation-tools-with-expanded-categories-and-a-unified-enforcement-system/

Proton Mail apps update adds navigation features on iOS and Android:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/11/proton-mail-apps-update-adds-navigation-features-on-ios-and-android/

diVine is Vine back from the dead, thanks (in part) to Jack Dorsey:
https://betanews.com/2025/11/17/divine-is-vine-back-from-the-dead-thanks-in-part-to-jack-dorsey/

Spotube 5.1 released with audio source plugins, NewPipe integration on desktop, and more:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/11/spotube-5-1-released-with-audio-source-plugins-newpipe-integration-on-desktop-and-more/

Servo Announces Sponsorship Tiers To Get More Organizations Backing This Browser Engine:
https://www.phoronix.com/news/Servo-Sponsorship-Tiers

Cryptomator 1.18 desktop now lets you restore lost or damaged master keys & vault config:
https://alternativeto.net/news/2025/11/cryptomator-1-18-desktop-now-lets-you-restore-lost-or-damaged-master-keys-and-vault-config/

Earth 2140 remake on OpenRA engine OpenE2140 gets a first release:
https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2025/11/earth-2140-remake-on-openra-engine-opene2140-gets-a-first-release/

Zork I, Zork II and Zork III are now officially open source:
https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2025/11/zork-i-zork-ii-and-zork-iii-are-now-officially-open-source/

(more FOSS news in comment)

#WeeklyNews #OpenSource #FOSSNews #FOSS #OpenSourceNews #Mastodon #Fedi #Fediverse #Firefox #Blender #GIMP #Signal #Bluesky #Proton #ProtonMail #Vine #diVine #Spotube #Servo #Cryptomator #OpenE2140 #Earth2140 #Zork #Zork1 #ZorkI #ZorkII #ZorkIII #BrowserEngine #Browser #WebBrowser #SocialMedia #Chat #ChatApp #Email #EmailService #Gaming #FOSSGaming #OpenSourceGame #FosseryTech

"Preservare il codice che ha plasmato le generazioni: Zork I, II e III diventano Open Source" #zork #microsoft #winzoz #opensource
https://opensource.microsoft.com/blog/2025/11/20/preserving-code-that-shaped-generations-zork-i-ii-and-iii-go-open-source

Microsoft macht Zork-Trilogie zu Open Source

Manchmal gibt es auch noch gute Nachrichten aus der Gaming-Branche: Microsoft hat zusammen mit Activision und dem hauseigenen Open Source Programs Office die klassischen Text-Adventures ZORK I, II und III unter der MIT-Lizenz als Open Source freigegeben.

https://phantanews.de/wp/2025/11/microsoft-macht-zork-trilogie-zu-open-source/

#Activision #Infocom #Microsoft #OpenSource #ZORK #ZORKTrilogie

#Zork

Client Info