The Classic Adventurer (Bookazine)

[8bitAG]

I'm surprised that this hasn't got a mention anywhere in the forum before now, but fans (or past fans) of text adventures may like to check out Mark Hardisty's The Classic Adventurer Bookazine at...

http://classicadventurer.co.uk/

Currently running to four issues, with a potential fifth on the way, this is a well-produced colour magazine featuring interviews with professional and amateur adventure writers, both from back in the day and also those working on new modern games for old platforms.

Those interviewed included Trevor Hall (Twin Kingdom Valley), Veronika Megler (The Hobbit), Fergus McNeill (Delta 4), Tim Gilberts (Gilsoft), Anita Sinclair (Magnetic Scrolls), John Wilson (Zenobi) and Charles Cecil (Artic).

Available in either glossy (and not so glossy) printed editions or as FREE PDFs, the magazine is well worth picking up for the loving recreated illustrations alone.

The author was an Electron owner, so there should be plenty of interest for Acorn adventurers... Issue 5 promises both a cover and a feature on The Greedy Dwarf.

[8bitAG]

Issue 5 is now available. Definitely worth reading if you're an Electron/BBC adventurer as it includes an interview with Greedy Dwarf author Simon Ainsworth as well as a feature on Peter Killworth.

http://classicadventurer.co.uk/

[mjhardisty]

I'll have another go at asking Simon to bring the Dwarf back and find the source to his unreleased adventure!

[lurkio]

I'll have another go at asking Simon to bring the Dwarf back and find the source to his unreleased adventure!

Yes, that Raffles game sounds intriguing! Please let him know that Stardotters are ready to help him with data recovery if necessary, or indeed with anything else.

Another fantastic issue of the magazine, Mark. Congratulations!

[lurkio]

Btw, this, from Simon Ainsworth of Greedy Dwarf fame, will probably raise a few eyebrows:

Simon Ainsworth first started writing computer programs at Manchester Grammar School in the 1970s. The school was ahead of it’s time, encouraging pupils to experiment with it’s PDP-11 and ICL 1901A mainframe machines.

[Dave Footitt]

These look fantastic, thanks for the heads up! So far I've only read the interview with Anita Sinclair but it's a great read.

They were a little slice of life, and a good slice of life

Lovely stuff, really looking forward to reading more.

[8bitAG]

Issue 6 of Mark Hardisty's Classic Adventurer has been published and includes an article on the recently recovered BBC version of Knight Orc...
http://classicadventurer.co.uk/

[8bitAG]

Issue 7 of Classic Adventurer is now available...
http://classicadventurer.co.uk/

Of interest to Acorn adventurers, will be the interview with John Blythe about his BBC (& Acorn) text/graphics adventures.

[8bitAG]

The final issue of The Classic Adventurer includes an interview with David Hampton (and plenty of Stardot mentions)
http://classicadventurer.co.uk/

[8bitAG]

The final issue of The Classic Adventurer includes an interview with David Hampton (and plenty of Stardot mentions)
http://classicadventurer.co.uk/

The final version of the final issue is now online and includes a massive interview with Magnetic Scrolls' Hugh Steers.

[PJ-1978]

I've been reading these, on and off, for a few months, and adore them. From greats (and forgotten gems) from my childhood, to learning of new stuff I know I want to play (and on other systems too, hoorah for emulators). These magazines are like a dream come true for me.

The final issue of The Classic Adventurer includes an interview with David Hampton (and plenty of Stardot mentions)
http://classicadventurer.co.uk/

...Did you say last? I hadn't realised it was a limited series (though can appreciate why it might be, considering the work going into it). Suddenly empty yet grateful at the same time.

[8bitAG]

...Did you say last? I hadn't realised it was a limited series (though can appreciate why it might be, considering the work going into it). Suddenly empty yet grateful at the same time.

Down to a lack of material, sadly. It was originally only going to be three issues, iirc. Then we kept badgering Mark for more. Took an awful lot of effort to get some of those later "big name" interviews as it was.

[8bitAG]

Never say never... Mark has just released a brand new "special edition" of the Classic Adventurer...
http://classicadventurer.co.uk/

The contents include interviews with...
Garry Cappuccini, author of ZX Spectrum game Crack City;
the early microcomputing pioneer, Trevor Toms of Ramjam and the ZX80/81 books;
the prolific book author Clive Gifford;
Tony Barber, the man behind cult favourite Valkyrie 17
...and more.

The cover feature is a look at the making of the Lord of the Rings trilogy of adventure games... with comments from the, usually uncredited talent who worked on them.

[ash73]

Just found these, cheers for posting them.

I've been playing a selection of Level 9 and Magnetic Scrolls games recently, and it's interesting to read up on the history of the two companies. I tend to resort to hint sheets these days, I actually saw very little of some of these games back in the day because I got stuck.

I was playing MH's The Hobbit yesterday, I'd forgotten how good it is. I finally tracked down a Beeb disk image that utilises sideways ram and includes all the pictures.

I love the roaming NPCs, they're hilarious in the Hobbit because they wander about doing crazy things and sometimes kill the person you're meant to interact with. It makes the game a lot of fun, and no two games are ever the same.

Shame Veronika Megler didn't stick around to make more games, she was quite a visionary with her novel approach to the game engine.

[ash73]

p.s. found a brief documentary about the search for Veronika Megler... fun to put a face to the name, and very cool that these early games developers are now getting some recognition for their pioneering work.

https://vimeo.com/262029653

[fuzzel]

I've just noticed that the 2023 Special Edition has been released which includes an interview with Ian Muriss.
http://classicadventurer.co.uk/