What can I say about Zork 1 for the masses? Except that this is a great learning tool as well as an adventure game. Because Infocom had decided that they would not add graphics before they could be true to life, they had to embellish the games with very good text descriptions. This forces the reader to use his imagination and build ones vocabulary. (Good for grade school kids). Plus the fact that everything needs to be typed it will give kids a reason to learn to type.
(Even if it is non standard it will get them used to it.) It is also good for beginning sentence structure, simple sentences, but it shows the use of verbs and nouns. We can also apply this to a creative writing class as the interactive portion of the game can change the story line. Limited but can work. Problem solving is a big factor here, (even if they use a cheat site, they need to do research to find it). And it shows it in a real time manner. This was one of the first games I ever had for the pc (Apple at the time) and I nearly ripped my hair out trying to figure it out. But in the long run it gave me determination
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and skills I even use today. (Computer trouble shooter). It was good for teaching BASIC programming because it broke everything down to simple commands. After having them play this for a day or two the students got the hang of how basic language worked for the computer. (Assume nothing and use simple routines). It also helps one spelling in the long run. I have even used this in 4-H club to illustrate the need for learning ones orientation on a compass. N, S, E, W, NW, NE, SE, SW. The series as a whole were very well done including the modern sequels, Return to zork, etc. If you are looking for a good game for the kids and want them to learn while not realizing it. Have them play this one for a while. (I got mine to play by locking up their game cube until they beat it on the pc.) As an educator I find this game good for the free time sessions the kids are always bugging about.
