268: A Paean To Floyd

[Chuck Wendig]

A Paean To Floyd

In Infocom's text-adventure Planetfall, Floyd is the damnedest little annoying robot: He runs, he hums, and he asks you to play Chase-and-Tag. Chuck Wendig pens his paean to Floyd because he makes you feel.

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[BlueInkAlchemist]

I teared up a little just reading this.

No joke.

 

[chuckwendig]

I teared up a little just reading this.

No joke.

Try playing it. Seriously. The game is a little frustrating (though I genuinely miss Infocom games), but Floyd? Priceless.

-- Chuck

 

[Formica Archonis]

He tells you that he's feeling better now, and then hands you a helicopter key, a reactor elevator card, and a paddleball set, and he says, "Maybe we can use these in the sequel."

And I wonder how many people here are going to find that funny.

 

[chuckwendig]

He tells you that he's feeling better now, and then hands you a helicopter key, a reactor elevator card, and a paddleball set, and he says, "Maybe we can use these in the sequel."

And I wonder how many people here are going to find that funny.

And a little sad, considering what happens in the sequel.

-- Chuck

 

[Pocket Nerd]

Remembering Floyd is like remembering a childhood friend. Thank you for bringing him to mind once again.

 

[JEBWrench]

*stands and respects a moment of silence of Floyd*

Never forget.

 

[chuckwendig]

*stands and respects a moment of silence of Floyd*

Never forget.

Pour a little oil on the curb (and maybe atop a fromitz board) for our lost homey.

-- Chuck

 

[carpathic]

What an excellent article.

Well done!


I could really envision the space station, and floyd.

 

[chuckwendig]

What an excellent article.

Well done!


I could really envision the space station, and floyd.

Thanks! I definitely recommend a playthrough if time allows. (Sucks, though, because online, you can't save game. One misstep and -- poof.)

-- Chuck

 

[MasterSplinter]

I started playing but cannoot save. The site say's:
"Please note that SAVE and RESTORE may not available due to applet security restrictions. Leaving this page may or may not restart the game depending on the behavior of your browser."

Does anyone can recommend what should i do or what browser would be best? (i use firefox)
I tried some google searches on applet security but i don't know what exactly am i looking for and some of the sites are marked as "attacking web sites".

I have mixed feelings about this article. On the one hand it's very good and it got me genuinely interested in the game. On the other other hand SPOILERS >(

Yeah, same here.

 

[Formica Archonis]

I have mixed feelings about this article. On the one hand it's very good and it got me genuinely interested in the game. On the other other hand SPOILERS >(

Spoilers? For a game that's 27 years old? It's older than most of the posters on this site. And look at the bright side. He didn't spoil Stationfall.

 

[AboveUp]

This article makes me feel I really do need to catch up on the old adventures series of yore. They're from before my time, but it feels like they'd still be worth the effort of picking up now.

-Remy

 

[chuckwendig]

This article makes me feel I really do need to catch up on the old adventures series of yore. They're from before my time, but it feels like they'd still be worth the effort of picking up now.

-Remy

I played through a couple old-timers. Some deserve their fond remembrance. Others, ehhhh, not so much.

-- Chuck

 

[The Random One]

You know, I'd actually feel angry if this sidekick issue didn't mention Floyd. He's the best sidekick ever. I love how he's silly.

My favourite thing is how if you pick up the access card inside him before you activate him, when you use it later he says he's got one just like yours then feels confused when he doesn't find it.

It gave me a bittersweet feeling to think of what would happen if I starved there - how Floyd probably wouldn't understand what happened to me. Of course eventually eating is just a chore there so no big loss.

Hate me for this, but I think his ressurrection at the end cheapens his death. As it always does. God by machine, or for machine in this case.

Damn, I still need to play the sequel...

 

[vxicepickxv]

I wonder if my parents Apple 2c still works, and their copy of Planetfall.

 

[Sabrestar]

Thank you, for remembering the oldtimers among us. Thank you for remembering Floyd.

 

[aldowyn]

There was something about text-based games. They require more creativity, both on the side of the developer and the player. They give the opportunity to provide more variety than almost anything else.

Above all, they demonstrate the power of good writing and the involvement you feel when you interact with a story. It's much like a good horror movie/game, like in last weeks Extra Credits: The unknown is scary, because your mind can conjure up much more horrible images than, well, actual images. What some people might not realize is this applies to everything. The human imagination is a powerful thing!

 

[PlasticTree]

I never played Planetfall, and I probably never will, but this article reminds me of all the unlikely sidekicks that I've had in my gaming career. Fact: sidekicks aren't fun because they are useful, but because we love them.

..Except for escort quest sidekicks. We hate those.