Infocom

From WE Computers Museum
Revision as of 15:11, 11 August 2023 by Jenni (talk | contribs) (fix closure date)
Infocom logo.png
Infocom
Type Subsidiary of Activision
Founded June 22, 1979 (closed on May 5, 1989)
Headquarters Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.
Key people Tim Anderson, founder
Joel Berez, founder
Marc Blank, founder
Mike Broos, founder
Scott Cutler, founder
Stu Galley, founder
Dave Lebling, founder
J. C. R. Licklider, founder
Chris Reeve, founder
Al Vezza, founder
Industry Video games
Products
Number of people not diclosed
Website N/A

Infocom is an American video game developer and publisher.

Foundation

Infocom was founded by Massachusetts Institute of Technology students and.staff including Tim Anderson, Joel Berez, Marc Blank, Mike Broos, Scott Cutler, Stu Galley, Dave Lebling, J. C. R. Licklider, Chris Reeve, and Al Vezza.

It was founded to commercially produce ports of Zork for home computers of the time. Because of its size, Zork was split into three parts.

It created a scripting language known as ZIL to quickly port the games to multiple systems. This language was extended and used for their other text adventure games until the company's closure.

Acquisition by Activision and closure

Activision acquired Infocom on June 13, 1986. Infocom was closed on May 5, 1989.

Retail Infocom games owned by WEC Museum

Title Release System Added to museum Notes
Zork I 1980 DOS August 1, 2023 Included on The Lost Treasures of Infocom.
Zork II 1981 DOS August 1, 2023 Included on The Lost Treasures of Infocom.
Zork III 1982 DOS August 1, 2023 Included on The Lost Treasures of Infocom.
Deadline 1982 DOS August 1, 2023 Included on The Lost Treasures of Infocom.
Starcross 1982 DOS August 1, 2023 Included on The Lost Treasures of Infocom.
Suspended: A Cryogenic Nightmare 1983 DOS August 1, 2023 Included on The Lost Treasures of Infocom.
The Witness 1983 DOS August 1, 2023 Included on The Lost Treasures of Infocom.
Infidel 1983 DOS August 1, 2023 Included on The Lost Treasures of Infocom.
Planetfall 1983 DOS August 1, 2023 Included on The Lost Treasures of Infocom.
Enchanter 1983 DOS August 1, 2023 Included on The Lost Treasures of Infocom.
Sorcerer 1984 DOS August 1, 2023 Included on The Lost Treasures of Infocom.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe 1984 DOS August 1, 2023 Included on The Lost Treasures of Infocom.
Suspect 1984 DOS August 1, 2023 Included on The Lost Treasures of Infocom.
Ballyhoo 1986 DOS August 1, 2023 Included on The Lost Treasures of Infocom.
Moonmist 1986 DOS August 1, 2023 Included on The Lost Treasures of Infocom.
The Lurking Horror 1987 DOS August 1, 2023 Included on The Lost Treasures of Infocom.
Stationfall 1987 DOS August 1, 2023 Included on The Lost Treasures of Infocom.
Beyond Zork 1987 DOS August 1, 2023 Included on The Lost Treasures of Infocom.
Zork Zero 1988 DOS August 1, 2023 Included on The Lost Treasures of Infocom.

Digital Infocom games owned by WEC Museum

Title Release System Added to museum Notes
Zork I 1980 Windows December 29, 2012 Included in The Zork Anthology.
Zork II 1981 Windows December 29, 2012 Included in The Zork Anthology.
Zork III 1982 Windows December 29, 2012 Included in The Zork Anthology.
Planetfall 1983 Windows December 29, 2012 Included in The Zork Anthology.
Beyond Zork 1987 Windows December 29, 2012 Included in The Zork Anthology.
Zork Zero 1988 Windows December 29, 2012 Included in The Zork Anthology.