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Zork seriesisn't zork 1-3 free?(23 posts)(23 posts)
(23 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted February 08, 2011
im pretty sure zork 1-3 is free on frotz, as well as the original MIT version.

i got the free ages ago off frotz, just went to its page on the IFDB app and there there.

EDIT: yes they are free http://www.infocom-if.org/downloads/downloads.html

what the hell is gog charging so much for?

and yes its legal, infocom have chosen to make it available
Post edited February 08, 2011 by insanity99
Posted February 09, 2011
Activision placed Zork 1-3 in the public domain a number of years ago. You used to be able to download them for free directly from Activision's own site. The IF Archive fully respects all copyrights, so the fact you can get them there means they know these three titles are in the public domain. Presumably GOG is charging you $6 for the other three games in the package.
Posted February 11, 2011
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insanity99: what the hell is gog charging so much for?
AS captain said - probably for the other 3

Also, don't forget, they have done the work to just make sure they run on peoples kit.

Not everyone has the skill or knowledge to use Dosbox etc. And some of us just can't be arsed - I'd rather spend a bit of cash and have it all done for me :)
Posted February 11, 2011
To the best of my knowledge Activision offered free downloads of the games for a short period of time to promote other Zork games which doesn't mean the games are free or public domain or whatever because those promotions were timed.

Even well know 'Abandonware' sites have 'buy it' links pointing to gog, if the games were free they would keep on hosting them like they do with games that are actually free like BASS, LOTT, Tyrian 2000, etc.
Posted February 12, 2011
No, Zork 1-3 is NOT free.

Activision provided downloads of Zork 1 as a promotion for Zork Nemesis and downloads of Zork 2, Zork 3 and the new Zork Undiscovered Underground as a promotion for Zork Grand Inquisitor.

Activision ceased providing free copies shortly after the launch of Grand Inquisitor.

Infocom-if.org is not in any way affiliated with Activision/Infocom/Marc Blank, etc. Infocom-if was designed by a fan as a speculative "what would Infocom's webpage have looked like if they'd survived to see Internet commerce".

Those downloads are abandonware, short and simple.

Only legitimate ways to own Zork 1-3 are:

1. Track down the original folio releases ($30-40 per game) or the later Zork Trilogy slipcase ($200+ as it includes the sought after zorkmid which was supposed to be included in Zork 1)

2. Track down one of the various compilation packages, either Lost Treasures of Infocom or the later "themed" compilation ($50+).

3. Buy the new compilation offered here on GOG ($5.99).

For authenticity, I'd personally suggest option 1 just because it gets you the original Infocom documentation (and in later games, feelies), but for ease of access you can't beat GOG's offering.
Post edited February 12, 2011 by Karma313th
Posted February 12, 2011
i doubt IFDB would break any laws, as captain said.

EDIT: according to bafs guide it is free now:

License: Former commercial
Post edited February 12, 2011 by insanity99
Posted February 14, 2011
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insanity99: i doubt IFDB would break any laws, as captain said.

EDIT: according to bafs guide it is free now:

License: Former commercial
I suspect IFDB listed Zork 1-3 as freeware back when Activision was running the promo and never bothered to change it back. Probably going with the "they gave it away, it's free even if they aren't giving it away any more" school of thought.

As for Baf's guide to the archive, you'll note only Zork I is listed, Zork 2 and 3 are not. Zork Undiscovered Underground (the Grand Inquisitor promo game) is listed, but not licensing terms.

Bottom line I'm going to reiterate the line of thought that the only legitimate place to get a digital copy is from GOG.

After all.... Kinda telling when even the "abandonware" sites are replacing downloads with 'buy it' links.
Posted February 14, 2011
For anyone who has any confusion the answer is simple: Ask Activision.

If you refuse to ask Activision then stop lying to yourself. You want the game for free.
Posted February 14, 2011
My question remains the same: so what if, elsewhere, the games are free? What difference does it make? Does it mean that I didn't get an excellent deal, paying $6 for games retailing at at least ten times that price?
Posted April 12, 2011
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organmike: My question remains the same: so what if, elsewhere, the games are free?
They aren't they come with a nice fine if your caught with them. I believe Canada follows America on the damages so your looking at $25000 per game :P
Posted April 13, 2011
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organmike: My question remains the same: so what if, elsewhere, the games are free?
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wodmarach: They aren't they come with a nice fine if your caught with them. I believe Canada follows America on the damages so your looking at $25000 per game :P
Yet another good reason to pay for a legitimate copy.
In any event, it's an old standby I dislike - "I got a better deal, so you got ripped off." Only in this case, it's: "I got it for free, so paying money for it is a bad idea."
Posted June 12, 2011
[Deleted]
Post edited June 12, 2011 by Gilou
Posted June 12, 2011
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insanity99: im pretty sure zork 1-3 is free on frotz, as well as the original MIT version.

i got the free ages ago off frotz, just went to its page on the IFDB app and there there.

EDIT: yes they are free http://www.infocom-if.org/downloads/downloads.html

what the hell is gog charging so much for?

and yes its legal, infocom have chosen to make it available
So enventually, are the 3 Zorks on the Infocom website the same as Zorks on GoG?
Posted June 16, 2011
You'd have to check the version number:
[url=http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:a9Nuol3Eu9MJ:www.russotto.net/zplet/ivl.html+infocom+build+number&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&source=www.google.com]http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:a9Nuol3Eu9MJ:www.russotto.net/zplet/ivl.html+infocom+build+number&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&source=www.google.com[/url]
Posted June 19, 2011
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Karma313th: No, Zork 1-3 is NOT free.

Activision provided downloads of Zork 1 as a promotion for Zork Nemesis and downloads of Zork 2, Zork 3 and the new Zork Undiscovered Underground as a promotion for Zork Grand Inquisitor.

Activision ceased providing free copies shortly after the launch of Grand Inquisitor.

Infocom-if.org is not in any way affiliated with Activision/Infocom/Marc Blank, etc. Infocom-if was designed by a fan as a speculative "what would Infocom's webpage have looked like if they'd survived to see Internet commerce".

Those downloads are abandonware, short and simple.

Only legitimate ways to own Zork 1-3 are:

1. Track down the original folio releases ($30-40 per game) or the later Zork Trilogy slipcase ($200+ as it includes the sought after zorkmid which was supposed to be included in Zork 1)

2. Track down one of the various compilation packages, either Lost Treasures of Infocom or the later "themed" compilation ($50+).

3. Buy the new compilation offered here on GOG ($5.99).

For authenticity, I'd personally suggest option 1 just because it gets you the original Infocom documentation (and in later games, feelies), but for ease of access you can't beat GOG's offering.
there is a 4 way to play it legimatly and that is playing it in cod: black ops ;p
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Zork seriesisn't zork 1-3 free?(23 posts)(23 posts)
(23 posts)