Jack Lockerby

With over thirty-five games to his name, Jack A. Lockerby was one of the most prolific text adventure authors of the 8-bit era. Producing homegrown games for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, and the 16-bit Atari ST, many of his River Software titles were also ported by The Guild Adventure Software & The Adventure Workshop to CP/M-capable machines such as the Amstrad CPC and PCW.

Many of Jack's early games were collaborations with his son-in-law, Roger Betts.

Jack Lockerby initially self-published his ZX Spectrum & C64 games through his River Software label. Eventually his Spectrum & Atari ST titles were distributed through Zenobi Software. In later years, Adventure Probe Software took on responsibility for the Commodore 64 titles.

The early River games for the Spectrum & C64 were produced using The Quill. Jack then switched to the PAW for later Spectrum adventures (remaking all his earlier titles). The STAC was used for the Atari ST titles.

Jack died on 12th April 2014 at the age of 93.

Author Credits

• The Challenge (publisher: River Software; Spectrum, C64, Atari ST, Amstrad CPC).
• Dragon Quest (publisher: Zenobi Software; 1994; Spectrum).
• The Enchanted Cottage (publisher: River Software; 1988; Spectrum, C64. Atari ST, Amstrad CPC).
• Into the Mystic (publisher: Zenobi Software; 1991; Spectrum, C64, Atari ST, Amstrad CPC).
• The House (publisher: Zenobi Software; 1994; Spectrum).
• The Mines of Lithiad (publisher: Zenobi Software; 1992; Spectrum, C64, Amstrad CPC).
• The Thirty-Nine Steps (publisher: Zenobi Software; 1995; Spectrum).
• Mutant (publisher: River Software; 1986; Spectrum, Atari ST, C64).
• The Lifeboat (publisher: River Software; 1986; Spectrum, C64, Atari ST).
• Matchmaker (publisher: River Software; 1986; Spectrum, C64, Amstrad CPC).
• The Cup (publisher: River Software; 1987; Spectrum,C64, Amstrad CPC).
• Davy Jones Locker (publisher: River Software; 1987; Spectrum,C64, Atari ST, Amstrad CPC).
• The Hammer of Grimmold (publisher: River Software; 1987; Spectrum, Atari ST, C64, Amstrad CPC).
• The Islands of Sinbad (publisher: Zenobi Software; 1997; Spectrum).
• The Jade Necklace (publisher: River Software; 1986; Spectrum, C64, CPC).
• Realm of Darkness aka The Thief (publisher: River Software; 1986; Spectrum, C64, Atari ST, Amstrad CPC).
• Witch Hunt (publisher: River Software; 1986; Spectrum, C64, Amstrad CPC).
• The Domes of Sha (publisher: River Software; 1988; Spectrum, C64, Atari ST, Amstrad CPC).
• Jack and the Beanstalk (publisher: River Software; 1988; Spectrum, C64, Amstrad CPC).
• Bounty Hunter (publisher: River Software; 1989; Spectrum, C64, Amstrad CPC).
• The Miser (publisher: Zenobi Software; 1990; Spectrum, C64, Amstrad CPC).
• Norman's Lament (publisher: Zenobi Software; 1990; Spectrum).
• Treasure Island (publisher: Zenobi Software; 1991; Spectrum, C64, Atari ST, Amstrad CPC).
• The Dark Tower (publisher: Zenobi Software; 1992; Spectrum, C64, Atari ST, Amstrad CPC).
• The Ellisnore Diamond (publisher: Zenobi Software; 1992; Spectrum, C64, Atari ST, Amstrad CPC).
• The Escaping Habit (publisher: Zenobi Software; 1993; Spectrum, C64, Amstrad CPC).
• Kidnapped (publisher: Zenobi Software; 1993; Spectrum).
• Murder - he said. (publisher: Zenobi Software; 1993; Spectrum).
• Theme Park U.K. (publisher: Zenobi Software; 1993; Spectrum, C64).
• Theme Park USA (publisher: Zenobi Software; 1993; Spectrum).
• Civil Service (publisher: Zenobi Software; 1994; Spectrum).
• Civil Service - Part II (publisher: Zenobi Software; 1995; Spectrum).
• The Wizard of Oz (publisher: Zenobi Software; 1995; Spectrum).
• Zen Quest (publisher: Zenobi Software; 1995; Spectrum).
• The Citadel (publisher: Zenobi Software; 1995; Spectrum).
• The Scarlett Pimpernell (unreleased; 2001; Spectrum).

Games Implemented

• Jekyll and Hyde (Atari ST version) (publisher: Zenobi Software).

Links

• Jack Lockerby (archived) - at Baf's Guide.
• Profile: Jack Lockerby & River Software

Interviews

• Interview with Jack Lockerby of River Software - SynTax #13, 1991.