Infidel (video game)
| Industry | Video game development and publishing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1979 |
| Headquarters | Cambridge , United States |
| Products | Interactive fiction games, including Infidel |
Infidel is an interactive fiction title released by Infocom in 1983. Created by designers Michael Berlyn and Patricia Fogleman, it served as the first installment in the "Tales of Adventure" collection.[1] The game debuted on several platforms such as Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari 8-bit computers, Commodore 64, IBM PC compatible systems (distributed as a self-booting disk), TRS-80, and TI-99/4A. Subsequently, it was adapted for Mac, Atari ST, and Amiga computers. Infidel represented the tenth release in Infocom’s catalog.
Plot
Infidel was introduced by Infocom as the pioneering entry in its "Tales of Adventure" series.[2]
The player embodies a self-proclaimed explorer and treasure seeker who maintains a strained rapport with his employer, Craige. When Rose Ellington, daughter of a deceased archaeologist, offers sponsorship for an expedition to locate a pyramid her father failed to find, the protagonist accepts the offer without notifying Craige.
In 1916, Dr. Ellington obtained an ancient pottery shard dating back 5,000 years, inscribed with Egyptian hieroglyphs. After extensive study, he partially decoded it, uncovering clues pointing to a previously undiscovered pyramid associated with a wealthy queen. Following Howard Carter’s discovery of King Tut’s tomb, Rose believed her father’s research had been overlooked. In the early 1980s, after her mother’s passing, Rose confirmed her father’s findings and established that the pyramid site differed from known burial locations.
Due to financial constraints, Rose assembled a small-scale expedition—an ideal opportunity for an ambitious adventurer. Nevertheless, difficulties arose: the expedition’s “Navigation Box,” an early navigation aid resembling GPS technology, was damaged causing delays; meanwhile, local laborers grew demoralized amid adverse conditions and poor leadership.
The gameplay begins with the player awakening deserted in the desert after being drugged by rebellious men who stole supplies and escaped. Lacking food, water, or guidance back to safety, survival depends on reaching the pyramid once the Navigation Box arrives. Players must overcome ancient Egyptian traps designed to safeguard treasures from intruders.
Release
Initially titled "Pyramid" during development, the game’s name was changed at the request of Infocom’s advertising agency who found the original uninspiring. An Egyptologist from Harvard contributed expertise to its design. One of several possible endings was modified during testing due to concerns it might endorse ethnic prejudice. The game contains 40 distinct ways for players to meet their demise.
The packaging of Infidel included various physical artifacts that enhanced player immersion:
- An "Expedition Log" authored by the protagonist prior to gameplay
- A letter from the player character addressed to Rose Ellingsworth
- A rubbing and partial translation of Dr. Ellington’s limestone fragment dated 1920
- A roughly drawn map outlining the excavation area
Reception
Softline characterized Infidel as "diabolical... more death traps per square foot than in Raiders of the Lost Ark." PC Magazine awarded it a flawless 12/12 rating, commending its advanced text parser alongside Michael Berlyn’s "exciting and fast-paced" writing style infused with humor. InfoWorld's Essential Guide to Atari Computers listed it among the premier adventure games available on Atari 8-bit platforms.
Conversely, veteran Infocom enthusiast and reviewer Scorpia expressed strong disapproval of Infidel, declining to review it for Computer Gaming World. In an online exchange with Berlyn, she criticized the storyline, protagonist characterization, and conclusion, arguing that it diverged from typical Infocom standards since players interact directly with the main character while solving puzzles.
References
External links
- Package and documentation
- Infocom Bugs List entry
- Template:IFDB
- Review in GAMES magazine