Seastalker

Infobox VG| title = Seastalker


developer = Infocom
publisher = Infocom
designer = Stu Galley and Jim Lawrence
engine = ZIL
released = Release 15: May 1, 1984
Release 15: May 22, 1984
Release 16: May 15, 1985
Release 16: June 3, 1985
genre = Interactive fiction
modes = Single player
ratings = n/a
platforms = Amiga, Apple II, Atari 8-bit, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, TRS-80, TI-99/4A, Macintosh
media = 3½" or 5¼" disk
requirements = No special requirements
input = Keyboard

"Seastalker" is an interactive fiction computer game designed by Stu Galley and Jim Lawrence and published by Infocom in 1984. Like most of Infocom's works, it was released simultaneously for several popular computer platforms of the time, such as the Commodore 64, Apple II, and IBM PC. The game was marketed as an introduction to interactive fiction for pre-teen players. It is Infocom's twelfth game.

Plot

The player's character is a young inventor and marine scientist. A research facility called the Aquadome issues a call for help, indicating that the undersea structure is being attacked by a sea monster. With helpful assistant Tip, the player must navigate to the Aquadome in the new untested two-person submarine "Scimitar" and investigate the problem. But that isn't all... it looks like there may be a saboteur within the Aquadome as well.

Feelies

With nearly every game, Infocom included extra objects and items called feelies. The "Seastalker" package held the following feelies:
*A logbook for the "Scimitar", including a letter from "The President" congratulating the player on acceptance into the Discovery Squad
*Four double-sided "top secret Infocards", containing hints printed in blue ink beneath a pattern of red ink
*A decoder featuring a small square of red plastic to reveal the hints on the Infocards
*A nautical chart of Frobton Bay for navigation
*A "Discovery Squad badge", a sticker depicting an orca and the motto "Dive deep, dive far"

Notes

Infocom gave "Seastalker" a difficulty rating of "Junior". It was the only game to ever use this rating, which was replaced by the "Introductory" label given to games such as "Wishbringer" and "Moonmist".

Jim Lawrence, credited as a co-designer for the game, is an author who wrote more than 60 books aimed at children and young adults. Many of his titles were ghostwritten for established series such as "Tom Swift, Jr.", "Nancy Drew", "The Bobbsey Twins" and "The Hardy Boys".

The game has 30 locations. [ [http://www.if-legends.org/~pdd/infocom/fact-sheet.txt Infocom Fact Sheet] , Section VI, Game Statistics]

Reception

A review in Computer Gaming World noted the game's easiness, recommending it only as a beginner's text adventure, particularly for young kids. Exemplifying this are the numerous tips dropped by both in-game characters and the game itself, directing the player to the included Infocards. The review complained of minor inconsistencies like items that could not be interacted with until an in-game character told the player of its existence.citation | date = October 1984 | last = Fitzgibbons | first = Patricia | periodical = Computer Gaming World | title = Micro-Reviews: Seastalker | year = 1984 | pages = 38]

Tagline

"Dive deep into danger aboard an untested submarine."

References

External links

*moby game|id=/seastalker|name="Seastalker"
* [http://www.csd.uwo.ca/Infocom/seastalker.html "Seastalker" overview and information]
* [http://gallery.guetech.org/seastalker/seastalker.html Scans of the "Seastalker" package, documentation and feelies]
* [http://www.infocom-if.org/games/seastalker/seastalker.html Infocom-if.org's entry for "Seastalker"]
* [http://hometown.aol.com/graemecree/infobugs/seastalk.htm The Infocom Bugs List entry for "Seastalker"]