Fredrik's Interactive Fiction Starter's Package ----------------------------------------------- UNIX version ============ This is a package for UNIX users who want to try some Interactive Fiction of the 1990s. Like almost all of the IF games produced today, all games in this package are freeware or shareware. Check the files in each game's directory for details. All these games can be played on a variety of platforms other, by changing the game-file interpreter. If you are interested in doing so, go to the web-sites at the end of this document for further information. The interpreters included in this package can all be used to play other games on the same format as well. The interpreters here require compilation - for maximum portability across unices. I have only tested under Linux, and only under my own setup. All the programs are standard distributions, though, so they should work, although you may need to tinker with the Makefiles. If you're running a UNIX which is not Linux, you'll almost certainly need to edit makefiles. If you *are* running Linux, you may still have to, but probably won't. Other versions of this package contain menus and batch files for inept users. This UNIX version assumes that, as a UNIX user, you don't need such things. Instead it concentrates on giving you everything you need, in one convenient TAR file. To Install ========== 1. Unpack the archive: gzip -dc filename.tar.gz | tar -xvf - 2. cd to the fifstart directory 3. Type "make" To play ======= - The games in the z-files directory, and any other files you find with a ".z[1-9]" extension: /frotz-2.01b3/frotz /z-files/ It is suggested you start with "ninepoints.z5", purpose-built for newcomers. - "The Sound of One Hand Clapping": In the "onehand" directory, type sources/advint onehand Leave out the ".dat" -- advint expects to add that itself. Dunno why. - "John's Fire Witch" and "The One That Got Away", and any other game you find with a ".dat" extension: In the relevant directory, type: ../tads/unix/tadsr ./ If (when) you find you like IF, you'll want to put the executables somewhere sensible (e.g. /usr/local/games), and set environment variables for the locations of the games. There is documentation in the interpreter directories. How to play the games: ---------------------- There is a file called GENERAL.TXT in the directory called TADS. This is actually an introduction to playing games developed with TADS, such as John's Fire Witch and The One That Got Away, but almost all of it applies to the other games as well. Also, there may be a "HELP" command in some of the games. About the distribution of the games: ------------------------------------ John's Fire Witch: Shareware, a lunch or $6 registration. The Sound of One Hand Clapping: Shareware, $10 registration. The One That Got Away: Freeware. Theatre, Nine Points, Gumshoe: Freeware. If you want MORE: ----------------- When you have played these games for a while and feel that IF is interesting, but you want to try some other games, here is what to do; A: Surf into any of these addresses: http://www.tiac.net/users/baf/if-guide.html http://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs.cmu.edu/user/wsr/Web/IF/homepage.html B: Visit the if-archive at ftp://ftp.gmd.de/if-archive There is another starter's kit in the directory "starters" there, called ifstart.zip. That kit has more text files about how to play, and solutions for the games included. There are also heaps of games in the directory "games". The ones in games/infocom can be played with frotz, the ones in games/tads can be played with tadsr, both supplied with this package. There is a textfile in the "games" directory that explains how to play all the other types of games stored there. Fredrik chose the games in this package -- I just packaged up the unix versions. I recommend you try Curses and Christminster, both from the archive described above. Enjoy! John Hartnup, Nov 18th, 1996 slim@ladle.demon.co.uk Adapted from... Fredrik Ramsberg, Oct 29, 1996 d91frera@und.ida.liu.se, http://www-und.ida.liu.se/~d91frera