The Scepter [Bug-Byte's "Adventure"]
This was my first attempt at writing a text adventure. It was written in ZX81 BASIC but used some Z80 machine code routines to handle command input; the standard BASIC functions being unsuitable for some reason.
I have no idea what made me submit it to Bug-Byte for publication, but I've always been glad that I did. This was the first step in my career as a software developer. It was written while studying for my GCSE O-Levels. When the Head of Year got to hear about it she contacted the local newspaper; so I achieved my fifteen minutes of fame.
My title for the game was always The Scepter but Bug-Byte chose to publish it under the name Adventure. At the time I had no reason to question the name change but looking back perhaps it was an attempt to cash in on the fame of the Crowther and Woods classic.
Download
Emulator file in ZX81 '.P' format: SCEPTER.P
To run the software I recommend XTender by Carlo Delhez.
Walkthrough
| Road | EAST |
| Meadow | EXAMINE FENCE GET WIRE JUMP FENCE |
| Dry Pond | GET BOOT GET WHEEL WEST |
| Meadow | WEST |
| Road | SOUTH |
| Mud Path | GET MUD NORTH |
| Road | WEST |
| Lake | WASH MUD BOARD BOAT |
| Boat | GET AXE GET DIAMOND EAST |
| Lake | SOUTH |
| Forest | CLIMB TREE |
| Up a Tree | GET ACORN DOWN |
| Forest | CHOP TREE DROP AXE EAST |
| Mud Path | SOUTH |
| Lane | KICK GATE SHAKE BOOT DROP BOOT GET KEY EAST |
| Doorway | UNLOCK DOOR OPEN DOOR DROP KEY SOUTH |
| Hallway | EAST |
| Armoury | GET SWORD WEST |
| Hallway | SOUTH |
| Lounge | GET LAMP WEST |
| Kitchen | LIFT PANEL DOWN |
| It is too dark to see | LIGHT LAMP |
| Small Cave | SOUTH |
| Slope | ROLL WHEEL SOUTH |
| Spider Web | SOUTH |
| Grand Room | PICK LOCK GET SKULL NORTH |
| Spider Web | NORTH |
| Slope | NORTH |
| Small Cave | DROP SKULL DROP WIRE EAST |
| Passageway | GIVE ACORN EAST |
| Cave | CLIMB ROPE |
| Hidden Room | GET STAFF DOWN |
| Cave | WEST |
| Passageway | WEST |
| Small Cave | DROP STAFF UP |
| Kitchen | NORTH |
| Dining Room | GET GOBLET SOUTH |
| Kitchen | DOWN |
| Small Cave | WEST |
| Corridor | RUB CRYSTAL |
| Large Cave | SAY HELLO WEST |
| Hot Cave | MELT GLOBLET GET COIN NORTH |
| Grotto | INSERT COIN GET SCROLL SOUTH |
| Hot Cave | SOUTH |
| Guard Room | KILL DOG EAST |
| Misty Room | GIVE DIAMOND EAST |
| Jewel Room | SWAP RUBY FOR DIRT READ SCROLL |
| Small Cave | GET STAFF GET SKULL MAKE SCEPTER UP |
| Kitchen | NORTH |
| Dining Room | EAST |
| Hallway | NORTH |
| Doorway | WEST |
| Lane | NORTH |
| Mud Path | WEST |
| Forest | WAVE SCEPTER |
| Palace of the Emperor | You win! |