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THE ADVENTURE GAME TOOLKIT The Adventure Game Toolkit is designed to allow you to create and play your own text adventure games. Once created, your adventure games can be shared with and enjoyed by others -- even if they do not have a copy of the Adventure Game Toolkit themselves. The Adventure Game Toolkit (AGT) began life as a program by Mark Welch called the Generic Adventure Game System (GAGS). Using GAGS it was possible for the non-programmer to develop complete adventure games using a fixed (but relatively large) vocabulary of action verbs. David Malmberg took GAGS and made a number of enhancements including the ability to customize the vocabulary and to program complex conditional tests and a rich assortment of actions and messages using a special metalanguage (designed specifically for writing adventure games). The current Adventure Game Toolkit combines the best features of both approaches to enable the user to create two distinct levels of adventure games: (1) Standard Level games that require no programming experience (honestly!), only a fertile imagination. These Standard Level games follow the original GAGS format and only require that the user generate the game using a word processor or text editor to describe the various locations, objects and results of actions that collectively make up the game. (2) Professional Level games that also make use of the special adventure game metalanguage to create games as complex and rich as the game designer's imagination and prose style will allow. These games should be technically comparable with the published text adventure games from firms like Infocom. AGT has a number of features that make it a very comprehensive adventure product. These features make AGT more powerful, more professional and easier to use than any previously available text adventure game development system. Using AGT, it is possible to create games that do not require any programming knowledge or experience (honestly!). The game designer just "fills in the blanks" as he/she describes the locations, objects and characters that collectively make up the game using his/her word processor or text editor. The Adventure Game Toolkit comes with a number of complete, ready-to-play adventure games including an AGT version of the "Colossal Cave" (sometimes called the "Original Adventure") by Woods and Crowther. The AGT version of this classic game has over 140 locations, a vocabulary of about 500 words, and is comparable in quality and playability to professional games from firms like Infocom. The complete source code for this classic game is included as part of the basic AGT package. The AGT version of the "Colossal Cave" is a Professional Level game that makes use of AGT's unique English-like metalanguage -- developed especially for writing adventure games. The Adventure Game Toolkit (AGT) is distributed as "Shareware". Copies can be found on many electronic bulletin boards and time-sharing services including Genie, CompuServe, Source and BIX. AGT is also available by mail directly from the authors at: Softworks 43064 Via Moraga Mission San Jose, California 94539 You can also order by phone using your Mastercard or VISA to (415) 659-0533, 12:00 Noon to 9:00 PM, PST ONLY. HOW TO PLAY THE ADVENTURE GAMES CONSTRUCTED WITH AGT If you've never played an adventure game before, the best way to start to understand how an adventure game works is to play one. VOCABULARY The Adventure Game Toolkit creates adventure games that understand a wide variety of commands. A typical AGT game might have a vocabulary totalling 500 words or more. Your game's commands should generally be in the format: <verb phrase> <(multiple) noun phrase(s)> <preposition> <noun phrase/object> Verb phrases can consist of a simple verb like EAT, SHOOT, READ or a verb followed by a preposition such as CLIMB UP, JUMP THROUGH, or SWIM IN. Noun (or object) phrases can consist of a single word noun like TREE, ROCK, LAKE or a noun and its adjective such as RED ROCK, SMALL BOWL or UGLY MUTANT. Several nouns may be connected with AND's or commas. Articles like A, AN or THE are optional. The personal pronouns MY and ITS are also optional. The pronouns IT, THEM, HIM and HER may be used to refer to a previously mentioned noun. Here are some (hypothetical) examples of valid commands: PLACE A RED ROCK IN THE SMALL BOWL PUT THE GREEN ROCK AND THE SMALL PEBBLE BEHIND THE OAK TREE READ MY POETRY BOOK SWIM IN THE SWIMMING POOL EXAMINE THE GOLD RING, THE DWARF AND THE SILVER NECKLACE EAT THE CELERY, THE TUNA, THE APPLE AND THE ONION THROW THE BATTLE AXE AND THE LARGE ROCK AT THE WEREWOLF SHOOT THE BURGLAR WITH THE REVOLVER ATTACK HIM ("HIM" will refer to last noun mentioned, e.g., the burglar) FIRE THE LASER PISTOL AT THE ALIEN MUTANT GET THE BOOK (also: TAKE THE BOOK) READ IT ("IT" will refer to last noun mentioned, e.g., the book) GET ALL (will get everything movable at the current location) GET THE KEYS, BOTTLE, FOOD AND THE CLOAK EXAMINE THE KEYS, BOTTLE, FOOD AND CLOAK PUSH THE RED BUTTON AND THE GREEN BUTTON UNLOCK THE FILE CABINET WITH THE STEEL KEY JUMP THROUGH THE OPENING JUMP OVER THE LOG NORTH SOUTHWEST PLACE AN AXE AND THE SHIELD NEXT TO THE BIG TREE PUT THE FOOD ON THE KITCHEN TABLE TURN ON THE FLASHLIGHT LIGHT THE TORCH WITH THE WOODEN MATCHES SCREAM AT THE UGLY TROLL CLIMB UP THE LADDER EXTINGUISH THE FIRE (or PUT OUT THE FIRE) DRINK THE WHITE WINE THROW THE FIRE WOOD IN THE STOVE PULL THE BELL CORD WEAR THE STUPID HAT (also: PUT ON THE STUPID HAT) TAKE OFF THE HAT (also: REMOVE THE HAT) NE (for NORTHEAST) DROP THE KEY AND THE BOTTLE ENTER THE CAVE XYZZY (i.e., a "magic" word) TURN THE DOORKNOB PLAY WITH THE DOG TALK TO (or TALK WITH) THE OLD MAN (ABOUT THE WEATHER) TELL JEFF ABOUT THE SWORD ASK JODIE ABOUT THE CRIME Compound commands can be created by connecting single commands (like those above) with "AND", "THEN" or the punctuation symbols "," or ";" to connect two or more separate commands. However, "end-of-sentence" punctuation symbols like ".", "!" and "?" should not be used. Below are a few examples of valid compound commands: TURN THE DOORKNOB; OPEN THE DOOR THEN ENTER THE ROOM CLIMB DOWN THE LADDER THEN SOUTH, WEST AND NORTHWEST GET THE CLOAK AND THEN EXAMINE IT; READ THE LABEL DROP THE FOOD AND THE BOTTLE THEN UNLOCK THE DOOR AND THEN LEAVE GET THE TORCH, LIGHT IT WITH THE WOODEN MATCHES THEN EXAMINE IT AGT's parser also allows you to give commands to other characters in the game like these: SULU, SET A COURSE FOR ALPHA 14 SCOTTY, BEAM DOWN A TRICORDER AND THE QWERTY MODULE HELMSMAN, RAISE THE DEFLECTOR SHIELDS BONES, COME TO THE BRIDGE The comma after the character's name is optional. One point of advice about command structure is in order. Your commands should be structured to follow the most "natural" sequence of words when two or more sequences are possible. For example, THROW THE GOLDEN EGGS TO THE TROLL will be understood by the AGT parser, whereas THROW TROLL THE EGGS will not be understood -- even though it is understandable to most humans as equivalent. Similarly, you should avoid the verb "USE", such as USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. This command should be entered simply as UNLOCK THE DOOR WITH THE KEY. NOTE: Player's input commands will be shown in all caps throughout this document. STANDARD LEVEL VERBS Standard level games have a fixed set of verbs -- although these may all be supplemented by additional synonyms. Professional level games have all of the standard level verbs plus they can have additional verbs that are defined uniquely for each game. The standard level verbs and the form of their commands are shown below: Meanings of notation: [required word] {optional word} | (means OR, i.e., alternative words) Verbs that do not require nouns =============================== N,S,E,W,NE,NW,SE,SW,U,D, NORTH,SOUTH,EAST,WEST,NORTHEAST,NORTHWEST,SOUTHEAST, SOUTHWEST,UP,DOWN ENTER | GO [IN | INTO] EXIT | LEAVE (* directions *) SCORE (* display score and status *) QUIT | Q (* end game *) INVENTORY | I (* list things player is carrying and wearing *) SCREAM | SHOUT | YELL (* make noise *) WAIT (* waste a turn *) BRIEF | VERBOSE (* change description mode *) L | LOOK (* repeat full description *) SAVE | RESTORE {GAME} (* save and restore game status *) HELP | H (* ask for help *) AGAIN | G (* repeat last command entered *) SCRIPT (* echo all output to both printer (LP1:) and screen *) UNSCRIPT (* send all output to screen only *) Verbs that require nouns (and perhaps objects) ============================================== LIST | SHOW [EXITS] (* list visible exits *) THROW | CAST | DUMP [noun] {[AT | TO | IN | INTO | ACROSS | INSIDE] [noun]} ATTACK | KILL | FIGHT | HIT [creature] {[WITH] [noun]} DROP | PUT DOWN [noun | ALL] GET | TAKE | PICK UP [noun | ALL] OPEN [noun] {[WITH] [noun]} CLOSE | SHUT [noun] LOCK [noun] {[WITH] [noun]} UNLOCK [noun] {[WITH] [noun]} EXAMINE | CHECK | INSPECT | LOOK AT | LOOK IN [noun] READ [noun] EAT [noun] DRINK [noun] PUT | PLACE [noun] [IN | WITH | INSIDE | INTO | NEAR | BEHIND | BESIDE | ON | UNDER] [noun] PUSH | TOUCH [noun] {[WITH] [noun]} TURN [noun] {ON | OFF} TURN {ON | OFF} [noun] PULL [noun] PLAY {WITH} [noun] LIGHT [noun] EXTINGUISH | PUT OUT [noun] (* synonym is "EXT" *) SHOOT | FIRE [noun] [AT] [creature] SHOOT | FIRE [creature] [WITH] [noun] PUT ON | WEAR [noun | ALL] TAKE OFF | REMOVE [noun | ALL] ASK [creature] [ABOUT] [noun] TALK [TO | WITH] [creature] {[ABOUT] [noun]} TELL [creature] [ABOUT] [noun] SOME GENERAL COMMENTS ABOUT COMMANDS Figuring out what words work in a game is part of the "challenge" of some adventure games. The usual directions are understood by AGT games (N, S, E, W, NE, NW, SE, SW, UP, and DOWN; in some cases, ENTER or EXIT might also be appropriate). Other events might also cause you to change location: if you detonate a nuclear warhead, for example, you'll likely be immediately transported somewhere far, far away. You can try to TAKE or GET most things that are in a room with you; you should EXAMINE or LOOK AT most visible nouns as well, whether or not you are carrying them. You can DROP or THROW anything you're carrying. Eating and drinking are often permitted, but eating strange things is usually dangerous. If something seems to be closed or locked, you can try to open or unlock it -- but it may require some special kind of key. There's no penalty for incorrect words: if the game doesn't understand a word, it gives you another chance and doesn't count the invalid input as a turn. If you try to do something foolish like EAT THE CHAIR or GET THE BUILDING, the game will give you an appropriate response like "Eat the chair? You must be kidding!" or "The building can not be taken". ABBREVIATIONS AND SPECIAL KEYS All of the directions can be abbreviated by using one or two key letters. For example, N for NORTH, SW for SOUTHWEST, U for UP, etc. You can also abbreviate EXAMINE as EX (e.g., EX BOOK). To turn out a light, you can EXTINGUISH it, and EXTINGUISH can be abbreviated as EXT (e.g., EXT LAMP). Other acceptable abbreviation are L for LOOK, I for INVENTORY, G for AGAIN, H for HELP and Q for QUIT. It is also possible to use the function and cursor keys in lieu of many frequently used commands and directions as follows: F1 -- GET Up Arrow -- NORTH F2 -- DROP Down Arrow -- SOUTH F3 -- EXAMINE Right Arrow -- EAST F4 -- READ Left Arrow -- WEST F5 -- OPEN Home -- NORTHWEST F6 -- CLOSE End -- SOUTHWEST F7 -- INVENTORY Pg Up -- NORTHEAST F8 -- LOOK Pg Dn -- SOUTHEAST F9 -- SCORE Gray "-" Key -- UP F10 -- HELP Gray "+" Key -- DOWN Ins -- ENTER Del -- EXIT If at any time during the game the player needs to be reminded of what the function and cursor keys stand for, hitting the ? key followed by <ENTER> will produce a diagram of what each cursor and function key means. SPECIAL WORDS Certain words have special meanings to AGT games. SCORE will let you see how much progress you've made and will give you an idea how much of the game you've seen so far. QUIT will permit you to stop the game and return to DOS. SAVE will allow you to save the current game status, and RESTORE will restore a previously-saved game. AGAIN (or its abbreviation G) will cause the game to respond as if the previous command had been entered again. In addition, AGT also allows the use of SCRIPT to echo all of the game's output to your printer (as well as the screen). UNSCRIPT may be used to turn off the printer output. As you move around through the game, you'll notice that the game provides a long text description of each room only when you first enter the room. To see the full description again, type LOOK or L or hit the F8 function key. The game doesn't keep these long text descriptions in memory, but instead reads them from disk each time it needs them. If you don't like this delay, you can suppress the long text by using the BRIEF command. VERBOSE will bring them back. Further, in AGT it is possible to issue commands for HELP or alternatively hit the F10 key. Be warned, however, that some game designers might feel that the situation does not deserve any help or, worse yet, some deviate designers might actually give the player a hint that is a little misleading. NOUNS While the list of verbs is generally similar from game to game, all the nouns change every time. One game might be filled with weapons and creatures, while another might contain many keys and locks. Most nouns are unique: you probably won't find more than one "gold key," but you might find a "brass key," an "access card," and an "entry pass." The game only understands an adjective if it is correctly followed by the matching noun: if TAKE RED FLUTE is valid, the game will not try to guess what you meant by TAKE RED or TAKE RED INSTRUMENT or TAKE THE RED ONE. It will accept TAKE FLUTE, but not TAKE BLUE FLUTE. With some verbs, nouns are optional. For example, NORTH is quite clear by itself, and any "valid" words following it will be ignored completely. EAT needs a noun of some kind, preferably an edible one. And some things may not be possible unless you specify a tool: UNLOCK PADLOCK may not be acceptable, while UNLOCK THE PADLOCK WITH THE BRASS KEY may work fine. NOISE WORDS The words "THE", "MY", "ITS", "A" and "AN" are ignored; so are friendly words like "PLEASE" and "NOW." This way, PLEASE PUT A RED ROSE AND MY NOTE ON THE SMALL TABLE NOW can be understood, while the game may be quite confused by PLEASE YOUR MOTHER. PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES In some cases, the preposition need not be followed by an object (TURN THE GAS STOVE ON is fine), but often the game will be puzzled unless you provide one. For example, UNLOCK THE PADLOCK WITH or PLACE THE BOOK BESIDE just won't do. COMMAND LINE OPTIONS In order to accommodate as many hardware systems as possible, it is possible to enter a "/B" option on the command line that invokes your adventure game. This causes the game to use the BIOS for all output, rather than writing directly to the screen memory locations (which is considerably faster and AGT's default mode of operation). Some clones may require this option. Also, some multi-tasking environments (specifically, DESQview) need this option to allow an AGT game to run in its own "window". If you find that an AGT game causes strange behavior on your screen, you should try this option. For example, to play the game QUEST using this option, you would start the game from the DOS prompt with "RUN QUEST /B". There is one additional command line option available. If you wish the player's input to be in lower case, rather than AGT's default mode of upper case, use the option "/L". For example, to play CAVE with lower case player input, start the game from the DOS prompt with "RUN CAVE /L". FEATURES OF THE ADVENTURE GAME TOOLKIT AGT has a number of features that make it a very comprehensive adventure product. These features make AGT more powerful, more professional and easier to use than any previously available Adventure Game development system. Some of these key features are: POWERFUL * Big, complex games with up to 200 locations, 100 inanimate objects (e.g., treasures, swords, lakes, trees, books, etc.) and 100 animate objects (e.g., people, animals or creatures). * Large standard vocabulary with potential to define many more words unique to a specific adventure. Typical games can have a vocabulary of 500 words or more. * Sophisticated parser that can understand (1) complex input commands including pronouns (IT, HIM, HER, THEM, MY and ITS), and (2) compound commands separated by AND or THEN or punctuation symbols, and (3) commands addressed to characters within the game. Here are a few examples of commands AGT can handle with ease: GET THE FLASH LIGHT AND THEN SWITCH IT ON DROP THE FOOD, THE KEY AND THE BOTTLE THEN UNLOCK THE DOOR WITH THE BRASS KEY AND THEN LEAVE PUT ON THE CLOAK, THEN EXAMINE IT; READ ITS LABEL PLACE THE GREEN ROCK AND THE SMALL PEBBLE BEHIND THE TREE ENTER THE HOUSE; GET ALL; EXIT; SOUTH; SOUTH THEN DOWN SULU, SET A COURSE FOR ALPHA 14 SCOTTY, BEAM DOWN A TRICORDER AND THE QWERTY MODULE * Special, English-like meta-language (especially developed for writing Adventure games) that gives the game designer total control and flexibility in the development of his/her games. * Source code available to Registered Users. Over 13,000 lines of Turbo Pascal 4.0/5.0/5.5/6.0 that may be customized to fit the game designer's unique needs. Other Pascal versions available for the Macintosh and Atari ST. Amiga version is written in Modula-2. PROFESSIONAL * "Look and feel" of Infocom adventure games with similar screen layout and standard vocabulary and routines. * Automatic screen adaptation to use either a color or a mono- chrome monitor. Color combinations may be specified by the game designer or by the player during the game. * Predefined function and cursor keys to input frequently used commands and move directions. * SCRIPT and UNSCRIPT commands to echo game output to printer. EASY-TO-USE * Large library of completed games that can be enjoyed simply as great entertainment or used as a platform by the game designer to build upon and/or learn from. * Professionally written documentation totalling over 200 pages. Has numerous examples that unveil the "secrets" of great adventure writers.