top expert

A Project Announcement

For many months, I’ve been referring obliquely to a work in progress I’ve called my “cave game.” As long ago as Spring Thing 2024, I’ve jokingly referred to a “Zork Zero II.”

FL: So you are still keeping up with developments, after all. If you made another game, would it be like Photopia?

DC: Yes and no. I would not try to imitate it, because that would fail. I cannot imitate or otherwise make the "next" Photopia, because I cannot imitate its transformational context.  So far as a new game goes, I've had an idea in my head since before Repeat the Ending was finished. Maybe someday. I'd like to do something closer to the Infocom games. A fan fiction, maybe [laughs]. A sequel to Zork Zero! [laughs even harder].

furthermore:

7/8: If you would prefer a game with minimalist sensibilities...

8/8: You might enjoy my next game, Zork Zero II.

and:

7/10: What's that? You don't think Repeat the Ending is "realistic"?

8/10: Who says real life is supposed to be realistic?

9/10: If you'd like to experience my take on inventory management, please look forward to my next game.

10/10: Zork Zero II.

…and so forth. I’m happy to announce that I was only half joking. My next project is called I, Thief and is a fan-made prequel to Zork I.

Features of I, Thief

I hope you will look forward to it! Here is a planned list of features and characteristics:

• While fans of the old games will enjoy callbacks, no experience with Zork will be required to understand the story.
• Companion fan-fiction pieces for young adult audiences, inspired by the Tor What-Do-I-Do-Now books, will give new players a friendly introduction to the world of the game, as well as game hints and clues. Read the first episode here!
• Play as the Emperor’s Second Spymaster, wielding the lethal powers of darkness itself!
• Learn about the development of the game by reading posts about Inform 7 on my blog, Top Expert.
• I, Thief will be the second game in the Entropist trilogy, sharing characters and themes with my first game, Repeat the Ending.
• In the tradition of classic Zork games, resolve a baffling time paradox to secure the future!
• Planned for a Spring Thing 2025 release.