Eaten By A Grue: Infocom, Text Adventures, and Interactive Fiction - podcast cover

Eaten By A Grue: Infocom, Text Adventures, and Interactive Fiction

Monster Feetmonsterfeet.com
Carrington Vanston and Kay Savetz review classic text adventures and modern interactive fiction.
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Episodes

Adventureland

How long does it take to load a saved game of Adventureland on the TRS-80? A little over a year, apparently. Kay and Carrington are back and ready to tackle tricky text adventures once again. It's a Christmas disaster! I mean, a Christmas miracle! Maybe a bit of both. Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: Fish!...

Dec 25, 20241 hr 17 minSeason 1Ep. 56

Fifi's Big Adventure

Kay has created a 50,000 word choose your own adventure novel for NaNoGenMo, and Carrington has nothing in his home to sit on. One of the hosts has their life much more together than the other, but who's to say which one. Okay, it's Kay. Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: Adventureland...

Nov 08, 20231 hr 24 minSeason 1Ep. 55

Violet

Procrastination is the name of the game when Kay and Carrington play Violet. Okay, technically Violet is the name of the game when Kay and Carrington play Violet, but you know what I mean. Note to self: write a better summary for this podcast episode. I'm sure I'll get around to it before we record. Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: Fifi's Big Adventure...

Sep 10, 20231 hr 2 minSeason 1Ep. 54

Counterfeit Monkey

The Grue Gang tackles one of modern IF's most intricate and interesting games, in which letters can be added or deleted from words at any time and anything can be rearranged. Grue can become gruel, games can become gams, and podcasters can become really cool dudes (okay, that one is hypothetical). Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: Violet...

Aug 31, 20231 hr 10 minSeason 1Ep. 53

Creatures Such As We and Memories of Infocom

It's time to dim the lights and break out the legally binding waivers, as Kay and Carrington get busy with an interactive fiction dating sim. They'll also get down to some music inspired by Infocom games. Remember when they used to just play Zork? This podcast just keeps getting weirder. Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: Counterfeit Monkey...

Mar 13, 20231 hr 24 minSeason 1Ep. 52

Dorm: Adventure at the 8-Bit Assembly

The Grue Crew discuss Carrington's own new text adventure game which he foisted upon an unsuspecting Kay. This is a deep dive into the creation of both the game and Feelies. Can the podcast, and more the point Carrington's ego, survive such a review? As the game itself says, what's the worst that can happen? Only one way to find out. Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com N...

Feb 20, 20231 hr 36 minSeason 1Ep. 51

Hadean Lands, Bee redux, and Leviathan

What do you get when you mix difficult puzzles with intricate storytelling? A pair of defeated gamers, that's what. Kay and Carrington throw in the towel and admit they were bested by Andrew Plotkin's Hadean Lands. Then they replay Emily Short's recently remastered Bee, and tackle Jason Shiga's twisted tale of tentacles and truth. Bonus: Kay may or may not have sent Carrington some malware. Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes,...

Dec 10, 20221 hr 5 minSeason 1Ep. 50

Everybody Dies and Bee

The guys from Grue tackle another pair of modern Interactive Fiction games, or at least try to. First up is Everybody Dies, by Jim Munroe, in which ... well, everybody dies. Until they don't. And maybe there are ghosts. Next is Bee, by Emily Short, about going to a spelling bee. Except the only version of the game available doesn't include the spelling bee. Infocom games were never this complicated. Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find link...

Jun 04, 20221 hr 3 minSeason 1Ep. 49

Their Angelical Understanding, and 16 Ways to Kill a Vampire at McDonalds

Kay and Carrington get a double dose of IF when they play and discuss Twine games for the first time. First up is Their Angelical Understanding, by Porpentine, which comes with both music and warnings. Next is 16 Ways to Kill a Vampire at McDonalds, by Abigail Corfman, a game about french fries and undeath. Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: Everybody Dies...

May 25, 20221 hr 12 minSeason 1Ep. 48

The Secret of Monkey Island

It's time for pointin' and clicking' and piratin', oh my, as Kay and Carrington play one of LucasFilm's famously funny forays into adventure gaming. Will they become terrors of the high seas, or be stuffed into Davy Jones' locker? All we know for sure is, there will be grog. Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: Their Angelical Understanding, by Porpentine...

May 17, 20221 hr 42 minSeason 1Ep. 47

The Meteor, the Stone and a Long Glass of Sherbet

The Grue Crew delves into a world of noisy elephants and silent Rs, as they discuss Graham Nelson's game The Meteor, The Stone and a Long Glass of Sherbet. Just when they think they're out, Zork pulls them back in. Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: The Secret of Monkey Island...

Apr 19, 20221 hr 25 minSeason 1Ep. 46

A Change in the Weather and Uncle Zebulon's Will

Kay and Carrington leave behind the world of Infocom and venture into the future! (By which we mean the 1990s.) In this episode they tackle the two winners of the First Annual IF Competition: A Change in the Weather by Andrew Plotkin, and Uncle Zebulon's Will by Magnus Olsson. Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: The Meteor, the Stone and a Long Glass of She...

Mar 19, 20221 hr 24 minSeason 1Ep. 45

Zork Zero: The Revenge of Megaboz

It's another game with a colon in the title, as Kay and Carrington tackle the ninth game in the increasingly inaccurately named Zork Trilogy. This one wraps up the entire Zork series, and (maybe) (kinda) explains everything. It all started long ago west of a white house, but how will it end? And what comes next? Eaten By A Grue: Zork Zero: The Revenge of Megaboz Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten B...

Jan 31, 20221 hr 43 minSeason 1Ep. 44

Journey: The Quest Begins

Kay and Carrington take a midnight train going anywhere into a land of magic, but too few resources to play it any way they want it (that's the way they need it). Will the Grue Crew and this game go their separate ways, or will they embrace this capital-J Journey with open arms? Journey: The Quest Begins Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: Zork Zero: The Re...

Jun 13, 20211 hr 25 minSeason 1Ep. 43

Eaten By A Cruise

Kay and Carrington set sail on the virtual high seas to give a talk at this year's JoCo Cruise, an annual oceangoing event for technophiles, tabletop gamers, and creative-minded people. In other words, a bunch of nerds. It's the perfect venue to discuss all things Infocom. Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at https://monsterfeet.com https://monsterfeet.com Next episode: Journey...

Apr 29, 202153 minSeason 1Ep. 42

Arthur: The Quest for Excalibur

Can Kay and Carrington defeat the usurper king and restore peace to a fabled land? And more importantly, can they do it while turning into badgers and turtles and eels, oh my. Some claim there is more to being a knight than just eating ham and jam and Spam a lot. Surely you joust. Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: Journey...

Mar 26, 20211 hr 46 minSeason 1Ep. 41

James Clavell's Shogun

You'll need swords, seamanship, political guile, but most of all inline hints to tackle Infocom's ill-conceived first foray into graphical adventures. Kay and Carrington find their patience tested in a game where, ironically, the most frequently used command is 'wait'. Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: Arthur: The Quest for Excalibur...

Dec 29, 20201 hr 45 minSeason 1Ep. 40

Take All

Kay and Carrington take a victory lap after finishing all of the Infocom text-only adventures. Turn on verbose mode and light the brass lantern, it's time to take a look back at what they liked best, and least, from these classic games. Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: James Clavell's Shogun...

Aug 29, 20202 hr 12 minSeason 1Ep. 39

The Lurking Horror

A bone chilling blizzard at the window, a reanimated hand on your shoulder, and worst of all a term paper deadline. All the ingredients for a deliciously dreadful day at Boston's creepiest college, where Kay and Carrington delve deep into the tunnels and tombs of The Lurking Horror. Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: Retrospective...

Aug 22, 20202 hr 6 minSeason 1Ep. 38

Wishbringer

In Wishbringer, a search for a lost cat leads Kay and Carrington into a dark fantasy land where their greatest concern isn't the witches, the eldritch tendrils, or even the grue. It's delivering the mail. Be careful what you wish for. Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: The Lurking Horror...

Jul 31, 20201 hr 49 minSeason 1Ep. 37

Stationfall

What do you get when you combine a plucky little robot, an abandoned space station, and Cousin Oliver? To find out, complete form JZ-59-G then listen in as Kay and Carrington discuss Stationfall, Infocom's comedy horror space adventure mystery. Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: Wishbringer...

Jul 16, 20201 hr 44 minSeason 1Ep. 36

Scavange!

The Gruesome Twosome take another vacation from Infocom to play a vintage text adventure written by none other than Kay himself back in the 1980s. From creative spellings to Playboy magazines, it's old school meets high school in Scavange. (Quack! Hiss!) Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: Stationfall...

May 17, 20201 hr 56 minSeason 1Ep. 35

Planetfall

Kay and Carrington foray into the future to face the mishaps and misspellings of Planetfall, Infocom's rib-tickling romp about a boy and his bot. Star Patrol: it's not just a job, it's an adventure game. Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: Scavange!...

Apr 21, 20201 hr 54 minSeason 1Ep. 34

Beyond Zork

What does it mean when Kay and Carrington discuss a game full of Christmas Tree Monsters and Cruel Puppets for over two hours, never once using the word "wacky" but often using the word "walkthrough"? It means it's time to load up on long-lasting snacks, and brace yourself for Beyond Zork. Hosts: Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: Planetfall...

Apr 09, 20202 hr 37 minSeason 1Ep. 33

A Mind Forever Voyaging

It's turtles all the way down as Kevin and Carrington discuss Infocom's A Mind Forever Voyaging: a computer simulation about a dystopian future in which a computer simulation finds out it is a computer simulation simulating dystopian futures. Hosts: Kevin Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: Beyond Zork...

Feb 01, 20202 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 32

Suspect

Will the third sleuthing game from Infocom be the caper that finally steals Kevin's heart? Or will Carrington continue to be the only one who likes bungling through Infocom's burglary games? Find out as the lads tackle Infocom's Suspect. Hosts: Kevin Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: A Mind Forever Voyaging...

Jan 13, 20201 hr 11 minSeason 1Ep. 31

Spellbreaker

Kevin and Carrington return to discuss the expert-rated final game in the Enchanter trilogy. Are you happy the lads are back, or is that just an eft in your tarn? Hosts: Kevin Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: Suspect...

Dec 20, 20191 hr 51 minSeason 1Ep. 30

Steve Meretzky interview

Jetsetter Kevin flies to the GitHub lair on Skullcrusher Mountain to interview Steve Meretzky about what it was like to make games in the 80s. Hosts: Kevin Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: Spellbreaker...

Apr 28, 20191 hr 18 minSeason 1Ep. 29

Catch-a-Butterfly

A butterfly flaps its wings on the other side of the world, and suddenly Kevin and Carrington are discussing an obscure Infocom game that perhaps you've never heard of. Also it happens to be April 1st, but that probably doesn't mean anything. Hosts: Kevin Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: Spellbreaker...

Apr 01, 20191 hr 2 minSeason 1Ep. 28

Nord and Bert Couldn't Make Head or Tail of It

Kevin and Carrington throw caution to the wind and spill the beans about Infocom's idiom-riddled game. Does it cut the mustard, or should you give this one the could shoulder? To make a long story short, the devil is in the details. Hosts: Kevin Savetz and Carrington Vanston Theme tune: "It Is Pitch Dark" by MC Frontalot Find links, notes, and more episodes of Eaten By A Grue at MonsterFeet.com Next episode: Spellbreaker...

Feb 02, 20191 hr 37 minSeason 1Ep. 27
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