Microsoft makes Zork open-source (opensource.microsoft.com)

Article summary

Microsoft has made the source code of the classic text-based adventure game Zork I, II, and III available under the MIT License. The code is being preserved and made available for study, education, and play. The game was originally developed by Infocom, which was acquired by Activision, and later by Microsoft. The release includes the source code, documentation, and licensing information.

Main themes

• Game preservation
• Open-source software
• Gaming history
• Microsoft acquisitions
• Text-based adventure games
• Programming languages

What commenters say

• The release of Zork's source code is a significant milestone in game preservation and a great opportunity for education and research.
• Microsoft's acquisition of Activision has led to the company owning the rights to classic games like Zork, which is now being made available under an open-source license.
• The use of MDL, a programming language derived from Lisp, in the development of Zork is an interesting aspect of the game's history and a topic of discussion among commenters.
• Some commenters are hoping that Microsoft will also release the source code of other classic games, such as those from Sierra, under open-source licenses.
• The release of Zork's source code has sparked discussions about the history of programming languages and the development of text-based adventure games.
• There are differing opinions on whether Microsoft's ownership of classic games like Zork is a positive or negative development, with some seeing it as a way to preserve gaming history and others as a loss of control for the original creators.