Portal (interactive novel)

Infobox VG
title = Portal


developer = Brad Fregger
publisher = Activision
distributor =
designer = Rob Swigart
engine =
version =
released = 1986
genre = Computer role-playing game
modes =
ratings =
platforms = Amiga, Macintosh, C64, Apple II, PC
media =
requirements =
input =

"Portal" is a mix between a computer game and an interactive novel. It was published for the Amiga in 1986 by Activision, written by Rob Swigart, produced by Brad Fregger and programmed by Nexa Corporation. Versions for the Macintosh, Commodore 64, Apple II, and the IBM PC were later released. A unique game for its time, "Portal" was one part text-driven adventure (à la "Zork" or "Planetfall") but with a graphical interface.

etting

The player, taking on the role of the unnamed astronaut protagonist, returns from a failed 100 year voyage to 61 Cygni to find the Earth devoid of humans. Cars are rusted and covered with moss, the streets are completely barren and everything appears as though the entire human race had just vanished suddenly. The player happens upon a barely functioning computer terminal that is tied into a storytelling mainframe, Homer. Through this interface, the player, assisted by Homer who attempts to weave the information into a coherent narrative, discovers information in order to piece together the occurrences leading to the disappearance of the human race. For instance, spending some time in the Medical Records section may unlock a piece of data in the Science section, and through these links the player can finish the game.

Reception

A review in "Computer Gaming World" described the story as "interesting and well-written", but felt the interface was tedious. The Amiga version, using a mouse, was considered superior to that of the C64, and only bothered the reviewer by way of slowing down the reading of the story.citation | date = May 1987 | last = Wagner | first = Roy | periodical = Computer Gaming World | title = Portal: A Very Novel Game | year = 1987 | pages = 32-34]

Novel

A hardcover novel, comprised mostly of the text from the interactive novel with some new additions, was written by the same author, Rob Swigart and first published by St. Martin's Press in 1988. It takes the form of a series of notes on different subject, in an order that the player would encounter them through Homer. A softcover edition was released by [http://www.backinprint.com Backinprint.com] in 2001.

References

External links

* [http://portal.stodge.org/ An official Internet Edition of the novel]
*
* [http://hol.abime.net/1110 Online Amiga game database entry for "Portal"]
* [http://www.the-underdogs.info/game.php?id=834 "Portal"] at Home of the Underdogs