Bastow Manor for VIC?

[larwe]

I played Secret of Bastow Manor (it was a 4-part multiload text adventure for unexpanded VIC) back in the mid-1980s. It was my FAVORITE GAME. But I have not been able to find an image of it anywhere. The C64 version is everywhere, I can't find the VIC version.

Our copy was not an original retail copy - my father got it from someone.

Anyone seen this? Anyone got an image, even?

[trevoz]

I know, this is an old post, but...

I have paper program listings for the first 3 parts of this game which I converted to run on my VIC-20 BBS ... looking at the listing of part 3 it says "Part FOUR under development" ... I'm not sure whether this means my original did not have a part 4 or whether I had not got around to converting it to run on the BBS yet.

From a memory of 36 years ago, and looking at the listing of part 3, I'd say it was as complete as it was when I bought it from the local (Australian) author.

Anyway, as part of resurrecting my ViC-20 BBS under VICE, I may get around to typing it all back in if you are still alive and interested PM me.

[ral-clan]

Text adventures for the VIC-20 are always appreciated. Maybe it would even be possible to track down the original author to see if it was ever finished?

[orion70]

A simple google search gives a lot of info about this game, enough to start drooling

Most sites report that the game was originally written for the Commodore 64 and the VIC-20, with the former being named The Secret of Bastow Manor 64 "as per the tradition at the time to distinguish C64 titles" (wikipedia), There are plenty of C64 archived items, such as adverts, manuals, FAQs, walkthroughs, and even a longplay video in youtube. There's a video of an alleged VIC version here. Apparently, it's not from Softgold, but from Gameworx (?), and it has no graphics whatsoever. If it's our game, someone has already typed it in.

I'd really like to know if this was ever made as a full-fledged commercial release also for the Commodore VIC-20. Anyway, I read that

with exception of one dodgy puzzle (re: panel in the study) the game is fairly easy and can be completed in a few hours. The nostalgia factor is a good reason to play this game, if any, or if you have two hours to spare.

...and I have just a couple of hours to spare .

[Mayhem]

That video would have come from the version I have in Gamebase20. And it says Gameworx because I probably dumped it, and it was from a tape released in Australia by that company.

[orion70]

So the copy in GB20 is possibly already the final BM Adventure in all its glory? Trevoz, basing on the listing you have, is it graphical (ASCII) or text-only? In the latter case, they really are two different adventures...

[Mayhem]

Yeah, hard to know if it's the same game, code wise, you never know, could be two attempts to convert it to the Vic20!

[trevoz]

So the copy in GB20 is possibly already the final BM Adventure in all its glory? Trevoz, basing on the listing you have, is it graphical (ASCII) or text-only? In the latter case, they really are two different adventures...

It was text only up to the part where you die in the basement - sound of running water, then the screen filled with cyan from the bottom up

It looks like I only converted parts 1-3 to run on my BBS.

I believe the "Secret of Bastow Manor" came out before the C-64 version. I bought my VIC-20 copy on tape direct from the author in 1983.

[trevoz]

There's a video of an alleged VIC version here. Apparently, it's not from Softgold, but from Gameworx (?), and it has no graphics whatsoever. If it's our game, someone has already typed it in.

Yep, that's the version I had on tape bought directly from Darryl the author trading as Gameworx Software in 1983. As for the other entities distributing the game:

"At first Renyolds’ sold his text adventures for the Vic 20 directly to local computer shops duplicating and packaging them himself operating as Gameworx Software before a new software marketing company Computer Classics offered to take over the publishing of his games for him. Renyolds was keenly aware of the importance of distribution and when he was working on games for the Commodore 64 he was approached by DotSoft a company founded by an ex Computer Classics worker. DotSoft had distribution into big chain store like Coles and Woolworths and were selling software to Melbourne’s largest department store Myers. DotSoft encouraged Renyolds to convert his games to other platforms including the Sega SC-3000 supporting him with the hardware and manuals. He ported his games to Sega SC-3000, Amiga, MSX and Amstrad systems making small changes to the adventures with each new platform. Having established local distribution Renyolds went looking for international opportunities and forming a relationship with Severn Software in the UK who marketed the games into Europe and the UK. A modified version of “The Secret of Bastow Manor” (1983) was released by Severn as “The Mystery of Munroe Manor” (1984).

Reynolds also sold solutions to his adventure games that could be purchased by posting a dollar note though the mail with a self addressed envelope.

In addition to the name Gameworx, Reynolds traded also as SoftGold. " source: http://www.ourdigitalheritage.org/archi ... -reynolds/

[trevoz]

Text adventures for the VIC-20 are always appreciated. Maybe it would even be possible to track down the original author to see if it was ever finished?

I've emailed Darryl on May 18 to see if I can get the missing part 4 -- his current company is http://www.gameboxstudios.com.au

[Mayhem]

Cheers for that Trevoz, so the version I dumped by Gameworx is the first release then, great. I bought a few Gameworx titles from Australia in a job lot many years back, you should be able to find all of them in GB20 (although they may not all be credited to Gameworx if a title is duplicated elsewhere and originated outside of Australia).

[orion70]

Thank you trevoz! Eagerly waiting for Part 4 then
Undigging those stories is one of the most subtle pleasures in life (well, almost ).

[trevoz]

Yes! Thanks for the pointer Orion. That is indeed the original VIC-20 version.

Now I just have to get part 4 converted for the BBS