Christminster

Mystery School

Christminster
Author(s)	Gareth Rees
Publisher(s)	n/a
Release date(s)	Aug-1995
Authoring system	Inform 5
Platform(s)	Z-code 5
Language(s)	English
License(s)	Freeware
Multimedia
Color effects	none
Graphics	Some ASCII art
Sound/Music	none
Ratings
Cruelty scale	Cruelty to be determined

How It Begins

The game begins with an archaic oath of secrecy from "Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum" (1652).

It's a hot summer day in Christminster. You are Christabel Spencer, carrying your handbag which contains a telegram from your brother Malcolm and a map of Biblioll College. Malcolm invited you to visit him today, eager to tell you about some amazing discovery he's made. But the college's gate is locked: the old man who answers your knock simply tells you they're closed on Sundays.

Versions

Note: More information on earlier releases would be welcome.

Release 1

• Christminster (Gareth Rees; 01-Aug-1995; Z-code 5).
  • Revision history: "a very buggy first release."

Release 2

• Christminster (Gareth Rees; 04-Aug-1995; Z-code 5).
  • Release 2 / Serial number 950804 / Inform v1502 Library 5/11
  • Revision history: "corrects about thirty bugs, including some serious ones in Edward's movement code."
  • IFID: ZCODE-2-950804-AFFE
    IFID links: IFDB.
  • Download minster-r2.z5 from the IF Archive.

Release 3

• Christminster (Gareth Rees; 08-Nov-1995; Z-code 5).
  • Revision history: "corrects another eighty bugs and adds some hints for some early and difficult puzzles."

Release 4

• Christminster (Gareth Rees; 17-Nov-1996; Z-code 5).
  • Release 4 / Serial number 961117 / Inform v1502 Library 5/12
  • Revision history: "tidies up a further thirty problems, some introduced during earlier attempt to "improve" the source code."
  • IFID: ZCODE-4-961117-7CAF
    IFID links: IFDB.
  • Download minster.z5 from the IF Archive.

Links

General info

• Official site
• Christminster (archived) - at Baf's Guide.
• Christminster - at IFDB

Reviews

• Christminster - at SPAG.
• Christminster - at IF Ratings.
• Review (archive) - by Eileen Mullin for XYZZYnews.
• Spencer's floozie: gender and gameplay in Christminster, inaugural article for The Rosebush by Victor Gijsbers; published 29 July, 2023.

Spoilers

• Download minster.tar.gz from the IF Archive - Source code.
• Download christminster.sol from the IF Archive - Solution.

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