The Manhole

Infobox VG| title = The Manhole


developer = Cyan Worlds
publisher = Brøderbund, Activision
engine = Multimedia Applications Development Environment
designer = Rand and Robyn Miller
released = 1988, 1989, 1992, 1995, 2007
genre = adventure game
modes = single player
ratings =
platforms = Apple Macintosh, PC Engine, MS-DOS, FM Towns
media = CD-ROM (1)
requirements =
input = mouse

"The Manhole" is a computer adventure game intended for children in which the player opens a manhole and reveals a gigantic beanstalk that can be climbed either up or down, leading to fantastic worlds in either case. The game was first released on floppy discs in 1988 by Cyan, Inc. (now "Cyan Worlds") and distributed through mail order. [ [http://cafeutne.org/visionaries/95profilesall.html#pMiller Visionaries PROFILES Rand and Robyn Miller] ] In 1989, it was produced for Activision as CD-ROM version based on that floppy disc game. [ [http://www.cybertown.com/hilf.html Digital Interactivity] ] This version is notable for being the first computer game distributed on CD-ROM. It runs in black-and-white on the Apple Macintosh line of computers. It was created using the HyperTalk programming language by brothers Rand and Robyn Miller, who founded the company Cyan and would go on to produce the best-selling adventure game "Myst". The Manhole was later also released for the PC Engine and FM Towns.

The game was re-released for MS-DOS twice, once in 1992 by Activision as "The Manhole: New and Enhanced" (including a Windows 3.1 version) and again in 1995 as "The Manhole: CD-ROM Masterpiece Edition" by Brøderbund which featured the use of color, music, voice, sound effects, and some new characters. In 2007, the game was released on GameTap. [http://www.gametap.com/home/play/gameDetails/000448250] Cyan artist Chuck Carter designed all of the color graphics in about 3 months using StrataVision 3D.

"The Manhole" is a notable computer game because like Cosmic Osmo and Spelunx it has no goal and no end; the object is simply to explore and have fun.

References

External links

*moby game|id=/manhole|name="The Manhole"
*moby game|id=/manhole-new-and-enhanced|name="The Manhole: New and Enhanced"
*moby game|id=/manhole-cd-rom-masterpiece-edition|name="The Manhole: CD-ROM Masterpiece Edition"
* [http://www.tinselman.com/ tinselman] Robyn Miller's personal website
* [http://www.millerbits.com/ millerbits] Rand Miller's personal website