The History of CRPGs: Beneath Apple Manor
Beneath Apple Manor, created by Don Worth and released in 1978 for the Apple II, is a landmark in the history of computer role-playing games and particularly in roguelike genres. It's notable for being one of the earliest graphical RPGs available for home computers, predating many of the genre's most famous titles.
The goal is to descend through various levels, each teeming with monsters, traps, and treasures. The dungeon's layout is randomly generated, making each playthrough unique, a feature that would later become a hallmark of roguelike games. Players must explore these levels, battling enemies and collecting gold, which can be used to buy better equipment and upgrades.
Though not as widely recognized as some later RPGs, Beneath Apple Manor played a crucial role in shaping the roguelike genre. Its innovative use of procedural generation and strategic gameplay mechanics influenced many subsequent games. An enhanced version, released in 1982, improved upon the original with better graphics and expanded features, further solidifying its place in gaming history.
Did you know that...?
Don Worth, the game's creator, did almost everything himself, from coding the game to physically assembling the packaging and shipping the orders. This hands-on approach was typical of the early days of game development.
The game was distributed in ziplock bags with a floppy disk and a simple instruction manual; a common practice for early computer games.
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