SPAG
An acronym for the Society for the Promotion of Adventure Games (originally the Society for the Preservation of Adventure Games). Despite the name, it is actually a webzine which contains a variety of topics related to interactive fiction, primarily reviews but also author interviews and editorials. Up until issue #28 (June 20, 2002), it also had a scoreboard which ranked games based on user votes but this feature has been dropped.
SPAG was founded by Kevin Wilson in 1994, and has since been edited by Magnus Olsson, Paul O'Brian, and Jimmy Maher. Issue 59 will be co-edited by Jimmy Maher and SPAG's newest editor, David Monath. SPAG is published approximately quarterly and is available either by email or from its website. The website itself was designed by Felix Plesoianu. The website maintainer is Joe DeRouen.
| Editor | First issue | Last issue |
|---|---|---|
| Kevin Wilson | #1 (May 15, 1994) | #11 (Sept. 16, 1997) |
| Magnus Olsson | #11 (Sept. 16, 1997) | #17 (May 10, 1999) |
| Paul O'Brian | #18 (Sept. 15, 1999) | #41 (July 15, 2005) |
| Jimmy Maher | #42 (Oct. 2, 2005) | #59 (Nov. 2010) |
| David Monath | #59 (Nov. 2010) |
SPAG Specifics
SPAG Specifics is an occasional feature that offers an in-depth critical analysis of a game, and unlike a normal review, a SPAG Specifics review deliberately contains spoilers. Here is a list of those works of IF that have been analyzed:
- 9:05 (Adam Cadre; 2000; Z-code). Analysis in SPAG #20 by Duncan Stevens.
- The Act of Misdirection (Callico Harrison; 2004; Z-code). Analysis in SPAG #36 by Emily Short.
- Alabaster (Emily Short et al; 2009; Glulx). Analysis in SPAG #55 by Conrad.
- The Baron (Victor Gijsbers; 2006; Z-code). Analysis in SPAG #44 by Dan Shiovitz.
- Bliss (Cameron Wilkin; 1999; TADS 2). Analysis in SPAG #20 by Duncan Stevens.
- A Crimson Spring (Robb Sherwin; 2000; Hugo). Analysis in SPAG #33 by Miguel Garza.
- Damnatio Memoriae (Emily Short; 2006; Z-code). Analysis in SPAG #47 by Paul O'Brian.
- The Elysium Enigma (Eric Eve; 2006; TADS 3). Analysis in SPAG #48 by Valentine Kopteltsev.
- Fine-Tuned (Dennis Jerz; 2001; Z-code). Analysis in SPAG #33 by Emily Short.
- Floatpoint (Emily Short; 2006; Glulx). Analysis in SPAG #49 by Jim Aikin.
- Heroine's Mantle (Andy Phillips; 2000; Z-code). Analysis in SPAG #24 by Emily Short.
- The King of Shreds and Patches (Jimmy Maher; 15-Jul-2009; Glulx). Analysis in SPAG #56 by Victor Gijsbers.
- Lazy Gods of Earth (Stark Springs; 2002; Z-code). Analysis in SPAG #34 by Emily Short.
- Lock & Key (Adam Cadre; 2002; Glulx). Analysis in SPAG #28 by Eytan Zweig.
- Metamorphoses (Emily Short; 2000; Z-code). Analysis in SPAG #52 by Victor Gijsbers.
- No Time To Squeal (Robb Sherwin and Mike Sousa; 2001; TADS 2). Analysis in SPAG #33 by Miguel Garza.
- Photopia (Adam Cadre; 1998; Z-code). Analysis in SPAG #53 by Victor Gijsbers.
- Rendition (nespresso; 2007; Z-code). Analysis in SPAG #53 by Victor Gijsbers.
- Shade (Andrew Plotkin; 2000; Z-code). Analysis in SPAG #23 by Duncan Stevens.
- Spider and Web (Andrew Plotkin; 1998; Z-code). Analysis in SPAG #22 by Adrian Chung.
- Sunset Over Savannah (Ivan Cockrum; 1998; TADS 2). Analysis in SPAG #33 by Adam Myrow.
- Symetry (Ryan Stevens as "Rybread Celsius"; 1997; Z-code). Analysis in SPAG #25 by Neil Yorke-Smith.
- The Tempest (Graham Nelson; 1997; Z-code). Analysis in SPAG #24 by Dennis Jerz.