Facebook Chatbot Review: Zork

An apparent port of Zork, one of the earliest interactive fiction (IF) computer games (1977). We think that chatbot platforms offer a lot of promise for these text-based interactive fiction, adventure or role-playing games (RPG).  If you played Zork before (you probably haven't) you may get it. If you haven't, you'll probably find this game a little bit disappointing, and perhaps a missed opportunity to demonstrate the power of that chatbot platform for text-based games.

But do not fret, expect to see many more text-based games make their debut on or transition to chat.

NOTE: This post is part of an ongoing series on chatbot applications. You can subscribe to updates if you want to follow the entire series.

Below is a transcript of a conversation with the bot:

Zork_small

Links:

Functionality:

  • Allows users to play to play the text-based Zork game

Positive:

  • One of the few games on the platform

Negatives:

  • Doesn't understand HELP keyword, need to provide user with available option at each step of the game, plus even more general help

Platform and Technology:

  • Unknown at this time

 

 


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