Dr.Z (game)

"Dr.Z" is an early 1970s text-based computer game for BASIC designed for People's Computer Company by students of Dr. Marvin Zeddies of San Diego. It is a therapist simulation, which asks true Rogerian questions, not questioning the value of the responses by its client. The game appeared on page 55 of the book "What to Do After You Hit Return or P.C.C.'s First Book of Computer Games".

A Sample Run of the Game

"User input has been bolded.""Computer output is in normal text."

Hello there. I'm your computer therapist.

What is your name? And tell me something about yourself. However, don't type more than one line. I tire easily.:i'm Bob. the only reason you are able to converse with me is that i programmed you into my computer and executed you.What did you say your name was again?:BobHow do you feel?:kind of powerfulDo you think this is reasonable in light of your interests?:well since all of us are interested in gaining power i'd call it reasonableDo your friends find this acceptable?:my friends don't knowWhy do you think you feel this way?:it's naturalDo you think that this is a normal feeling?:if it's natural wouldn't that make it normalDo your friends find this acceptable?:didn't i answer that alreadyI think you are making a great attempt to solve yourdifficulties, and I see no need to continue thissession any further.

Bob would you make another appointment with my computerfor sometime in the next few weeks. What date would youprefer?:never

That will be fine.

I've enjoyed communicating with you.

Have a nice day.

Trivia

The questions in this game are canned...what the client says has no impact on the questions. The only piece of data the computer cares about is your name, and that is so it can say your name again later. It should not be confused with "ELIZA", the psychoanalyst computer game that pays attention to what you say and converses with you.