Portal (interactive novel)
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| Portal | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Brad Fregger |
| Publisher(s) | Activision |
| Designer(s) | Rob Swigart |
| Release date(s) | 1986 |
| Genre(s) | Computer role-playing game |
| Mode(s) | |
| Platform(s) | Amiga computer |
Portal was a mix between a computer game and an interactive novel. It was published for the Amiga computer in 1986 by Activision, written by Rob Swigart, produced by Brad Fregger and programmed by Nexa Corporation. Versions for the Macintosh, Commodore 64, Apple II, and the IBM PC were later released. A unique game for its time, Portal was one part text-driven adventure (à la Zork or Planetfall) but with a graphical interface.
Contents |
[edit] Plot outline
The player, taking on the role of the unnamed astronaut protagonist, returns from a failed 100 year voyage to 61 Cygni to find the Earth devoid of humans. Cars are rusted and covered with moss, the streets are completely barren and everything appears as though the entire human race had just vanished suddenly. The player happens upon a barely functioning computer terminal that is tied into a historical mainframe, Homer. Through this interface, the player, along with Homer, discovers information in order to piece together the occurrences leading to the disappearance of the human race. For instance, spending some time in the Medical Records section may unlock a piece of data in the Science section, and through these links the player can finish the game.
This game features little interaction, so is generally not described as an action game. In the height of its popularity, however, the game did appeal to science fiction fans who enjoyed complex plots.
[edit] Novel
A hardcover novel, comprised mostly of the text from the interactive novel with some new additions, was written by the same author, Rob Swigart and first published by St. Martin's Press in 1988. A softcover edition was released by Backinprint.com in 2001.
[edit] Comic book
A comic book adaptation of the story was rumored to have begun in 2005/2006 to be released the 2008, in time for the 20th anniversary of the hardcover novel's release back in 1988.
[edit] External links
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