The importance of freeware/shareware adventure games

Interactive Fiction is an important genre that should remain nearly as free as possible, including freeware and shareware variations. I see a trend in computer and video games towards a lower pricepoint overall.

While that is generally a good sign, I nevertheless believe that games should be as affordable as possible.

I'm glad that Zork is now considered free, because it is one of the most recognizable examples of interactive fiction out there. Ask anyone who is older what comes to mind when they think of text adventures, and they will say "Zork" or "Colossal Cave". Almost every email I receive on my games includes references to Zork or Infocom. And that's an important reference, as Zork is the most important interactive fiction game of the past 25
years.

I have always believed in writing interactive fiction for free, and I will always continue to do so. Interactive fiction is an important genre that teaches language fundamentals, grammar and increases the effectiveness of problem solving skills while developing the imagination.

Sincerely,

Paul