3 6 Ke·2025-11-24 11:38Core Insights - Microsoft has officially open-sourced the source code of the classic text adventure game "Zork" trilogy, which includes "Zork I," "Zork II," and "Zork III," under the MIT license, allowing anyone to view, study, and build upon the code [1][9][10] - This move is part of Microsoft's broader open-source strategy, which aims to engage enthusiasts and developers in learning and creating based on historical software [1][9] - The Zork games are significant in the history of computer gaming, having established foundational elements of interactive storytelling and text-based adventure games [3][5][15] Microsoft and Zork's History - Microsoft acquired the rights to the Zork IP as part of its 2023 acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which had previously obtained the rights through its purchase of Infocom, the original publisher of Zork [7][9] - Microsoft had shown interest in acquiring Zork as early as the 1980s, with Bill Gates being a fan of the game [7][9] Technical Aspects - The Zork games were originally developed using a virtual machine engine called Z-Machine, which allowed the same game content to run on multiple platforms without needing to be rewritten for each one [4][5] - The open-sourced code includes not only the game source but also accompanying documentation, build instructions, and clear licensing information [9][10] Community and Educational Impact - The open-sourcing of Zork is intended to provide students, teachers, and developers with access to historically significant code for educational purposes [9][15] - The initiative has been well-received by the gaming community, with many expressing nostalgia and appreciation for the impact Zork has had on their lives [15][17]