The Colony (part 1) 1987

This is a video I made of the game I wrote in 1987 called "The Colony". It won the Best Adventure Game of the Year from MacWorld magazine. It was one of the very first realtime 3D FPS/adventure games ever. I discuss the game and the technology while doing a pretty complete demo. This is the first part.

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• The Colony
• early adventure game
• 3D
• wireframe
• David A. Smith
• Qwaq
• Croquet

[davidasmith3d]

I think this was also the first game to feature crates! Does anyone know if real 3D crates existed before this?

[hudsonkm]

Oh man! I had this game way back when and it was scary as hell. It's funny how it doesn't seem like something like this could have possibly been frightening in this day and age.

But back then it was.

[davidasmith3d]

@hudsonkm - I think that the minimal style (by necessity of course) required the game player to add a lot more to the game - in the same way a novel might, where so much is left to the reader's imagination.

[Rozom]

David, there was one day I was playing through the sound files through the game. Was one of them really the beam of light hitting the map room floor in Raiders of the lost Ark?

[davidasmith3d]

It is possible. I grabbed sound files from everywhere I could. I think the initial crash landing warning notice was the sound of a Star Trek phaser reversed and slowed down.

[davidasmith3d]

@Rozom Yes, I think it might have been. I grabbed sounds from everywhere I could.

[ackthbbft]

I absolutely loved this game when I was younger. I used to play it on my old Mac Plus, and despite the difficulty, I did beat it on my own (of course, back then there was no Internet to look up game hints). I think what I liked most were the nods to various sci-fi movies (Aliens, The Fly, 2001).

[Phazonaddict]

The only issue I have with this is the really sluggish turning.

Otherwise, quite nice.

[Chubzdoomer]

I know this is said about too many games, but I really think this one looks like it was ahead of its time. I love the different rooms and the overall atmosphere. Very cool stuff!

[byerscm]

BUT WILL IT BLEND?

[Headsign]

Still have an original copy here, which I sherish like a treasure. Also still haven't been able to complete the game. I try every now and then on my Powerbook 170, but eventually fail. It certainly is the most amazing first person game I know with the most original vintage flair!

[Hunnter2k3]

Sad thing is this game has more interactivity than more than two thirds of the games out now.

I wish more games would focus on interactivity instead of just graphics graphics graphics. I'd happily play a game with these kinds of simple graphics with brilliant gameplay. Love some of the techniques used too to simplify the engine. Gave me an interesting idea for something I am doing too.

[bashirD]

like that toilette seat at this beginning

[comanche119]

Hey David.  you should send this game to BarryDennen12 to review it. i think this game looks really cool.