Delusions
| Delusions | |
|---|---|
| Game | |
| Main links | |
| Published | 11 October 1996 |
| Credits | |
| Author | C. E. Forman |
| Reception | |
| Events | |
| IFDB rating | 4 out of 5 (37 ratings) |
| Gameplay | |
| Interaction style |  Parser |
| Literary genre |  Science fiction |
| Location |  Virtual reality |
| Language | English |
| Accessibility | Colour: none. Graphics: none. Sound: none. |
| Technical details | |
| Authoring system | Inform 5 |
| Format | Z-code 5 |
| License | Freeware |
| IFID | ZCODE-2-961021-1555, ZCODE-3-970113-86D1, ZCODE-4-971121-6543 |
| Browse the games database • Edit this page | |
How it begins
(It begins with a quote from "Neuromancer" by William Gibson, then another quote from "Dune" by Frank Herbert.)
Reality is so... unreal. You're an employee of the Project, testing virtual realities for almost five years, becoming and unbecoming up to fifteen times a day. At times like this, you think that reality contains infinite variations of itself, since everyone experiences reality differently and without consensus.
Inside the spinning Sphere, all five senses are wiped clean, and a new reality forms: a coral reef, and you are a fish. Justy's disembodied voice asks you to take a test swim through the simulation so they can check for overload potential. Also, Cynthesiser's running an analysis sweep so there might be some slight distortion, but don't worry about it. You can swim east or west.
Versions
Release 1 (First competition release)
Date: 11 October 1996
- Delusions (C. E. Forman as "the author"; 11-Oct-1996; Z-code 5).
Release 2 (Second competition release)
Date: 21 October 1996
- Delusions (C. E. Forman as "the author"; 21-Oct-1996; Z-code 5).
- Release 2 / Serial number 961021 / Inform v1502 Library 5/12
- SPECIAL COMPETITION RELEASE -- PLEASE DO NOT DISTRIBUTE!
- From the "HELP" text of the game:
Second 1996 I-F Competition release. Temporarily removes the initial large epigram, fixing problems with the Frotz interpreter. (Please do not distribute this release outside of GMD, as the author's name and contact information are not prominent. Once all the votes are in, a fully-distributable version will be uploaded.) - IFID: ZCODE-2-961021-1555
IFID links: IFDB. - IF Comp 1996: 3rd place of 27 entries.
- XYZZY Awards 1996: Finalist for Best Story.
Release 3 (Post-competition release)
Date: 13 January 1997
- Delusions (C. E. Forman; 13-Jan-1997; Z-code 5).
- Release 3 / Serial number 970113 / Inform v1502 Library 5/12
- From the "HELP" text of the game:
Post-competition release. Bugs (approx. 150) fixed, uncertainties cleared up, ease-of-use features implemented, author's name and contest info added. - Help menu also has a "SPECIAL CONTEST" item: "Buried somewhere in this release of "Delusions" is a comic book that reveals the name and basic concept of my next I-F effort."
- IFID: ZCODE-3-970113-86D1
IFID links: IFDB. - Download Delusns-r3.z5 from the IF Archive.
Release 4
Date: 21 November 1997
- Delusions (C. E. Forman; 21-Nov-1997; Z-code 5).
- Release 4 / Serial number 971121 / Inform v6.14 Library 6/6
- From the "HELP" text of the game:
Final release. More bugs (approx. 40) fixed, code upgraded to Inform 6 syntax, contest info removed (though the secret still lies buried and undiscovered). - IFID: ZCODE-4-971121-6543
IFID links: IFDB. - Download Delusns.z5 from the IF Archive.
Links
N.B. Many IF Archive games are temporarily unavailable in the UK.
General info
- Delusions (archived) - at Baf's Guide.
- Delusions - at IFDB.
- Delusions - at ifwizz interactive fiction (in German).
Reviews
- Delusions - at SPAG.
- Delusions (potential archive link) - at IF Ratings.
- Review - by Paul O'Brian.
- Review (archive) - by Duncan Stevens.
Spoilers
Date: 11 October 1996
Date: 21 October 1996
Date: 13 January 1997
Date: 21 November 1997