The Ventureweaver

On this beautiful Sunday night in December, I find myself reflecting on my childhood. Let me be clear, my life wasn’t anything extraordinary, like something out of Citizen Kane. It was pretty simple, maybe even bland at times, but it had its moments of fun. One thing I remember distinctly is always being about ten years behind the rest of the world when it came to technology.
Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t completely deprived. I had access to gadgets, just not the latest and greatest. It wasn’t until I struck out on my own that I started getting new tech on a regular basis. Back then, though, the world of computers was fascinating. Macs were cool, but way out of reach price-wise. And the market was flooded with clones, off-brand machines that made it a great time to stumble upon the wonders of text adventures.
Looking back, I guess you could say text adventures became my first true obsession. There was something magical about them, a mix of adventure, suspense, and the drive to survive, to make it out the other side in one piece. They opened up worlds where you could explore the unknown, answering that age-old question: What’s on the other side of the hill?
These days, I’ve been working tirelessly on mapping out the first few areas for my own text adventure game. For future reference, when I say “areas,” I mean single-sided sheets that break down each section of the game, meticulously planned to account for many possible moves. It’s tedious but thrilling work, knowing I’m creating spaces for others to discover and lose themselves in, just like I did when I first fell in love with text adventures.

My mind has been racing ever since I started this project, pouring everything I have into making my dream a reality. In many ways, it feels like my life’s work, a perfect blend of passion and hobby. I don’t know exactly how long this game will be, but I’m committed to writing every bit of lore, brainstorming character descriptions, and carefully planning out dialogue. It’s exhilarating, honestly. Every new idea puts me on the edge of my seat. I’m determined to make this game as perfect as it can be.

I’ve always loved the fantasy genre, especially the classic games on the NES. It’s funny, every year, without fail, I play Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. It’s one of my favorites, right up there with Link’s Awakening and the SNES masterpiece. I’ve always admired how, in those games, you’re handed a sword right at the start. Then, as you progress, you find other items, a shield, a shell, or something else to expand your arsenal.

To me, any fantasy game worth its salt has to start with a sword. Every hero needs one. It doesn’t matter how fancy it looks, it just has to get the job done. That’s why, in my game, the player starts with a sword already in their inventory. It’s a blade crafted to vanquish evil, plain and simple.

As for the second item? The player will always have a lantern. Now, you might be wondering: Why a lantern? The answer’s simple. In every great text adventure, the player inevitably finds themselves wandering, through mazes, caves, or fields, often at night. The best adventures take place in the dark, under the stars, in faraway lands. That’s the atmosphere I want to create. So, from the very beginning, the player is equipped with two essential items: a sword and a lantern. There are many more treasures to uncover in this world, each waiting to be discovered. For the first step in the game, I’ve planned five core treasures that must be collected to advance to the next realm, or level, within the labyrinth. Of course, as the game evolves, so will the treasures. With every update, the world will grow into a sprawling realm of chaos, adventure, and untold possibilities.

But that’s a bridge we’ll cross when we get there. For now, here they are in all their glory, the five treasures you’ll need to find.

Until next time fellow adventurers, stick to the trails you know, and ensure a life of peace.