From the information/about/readme docs:
> `
> =================================================
> AGILITY: THE (MOSTLY) UNIVERSAL AGT INTERPRETER
> Version 1.1.1
> =================================================
> `
> This is an interpreter for game files created with Malmberg and
> Welch's _Adventure Game Toolkit_. AGiliTy is universal in the sense
> that it understands and interprets most of the many versions of the
> AGT game file format (unlike the original interpreters which were
> only intended to run the game file format associated with them) and
> also in that it is written in ANSI C and so should be
> straightforward
> to port to other systems.
> `
> It is *not* a port of the original interpreters but rather a
> completely new interpreter built around the game file format; while
> it
> follows the original interpreters on most things, there are some
> differences which are described below.
> ```
* * *
This Macintosh Garden page is part of a series of pages I'm creating
to showcase all of the Mac builds of historic game-file interpreters
(and someday also game-development systems). Most of these files were
taken from the [ifarchive.org][1] website, but I occasionally find
other versions on other websites. My intent isn't to "steal" from
websites that specialize in IF or inappropriately post content from
programmers who have created new versions and have left the download
links active (even decades after their useful lifespan). My goal is to
both create duplicate archives of rare programs and to consolidate
Macintosh versions on an intentionally Macintosh-only website. While
the many, outstanding IF websites provide a rich array of historical
software, the few Macintosh nuggets are buried alive under a heap of
other microcomputer versions, and fishing those samples out and making
sense of them can be frustratingly time-consuming.
In this specific case, if someone wants to locate and potentially use
some of the (discovered) Macintosh apps for [AGT][2] or [AGiliTy][3]
all they have to do is visit their friendly neighborhood Macintosh
Garden, and everything they need will be listed on well-organized web
pages with useful descriptions.
Having said that, I can also say that I've requested and received
permissions from some programmers (i.e., authors) but not others, but
I would nevertheless hope that all (findable) Mac versions will have
the opportunity to remain archived on this site for everyone's
enjoyment.
* * *
So far, I've been able to find 3 different Mac builds of AGiliTy (and
it's possible there are more).
Download #1: is probably the most useful of the three. It's a MacGlk
adaption of AGiliTy v1.1.1 that runs in both carbonized MacOS 9.x as
well as the early (PPC) MacOS Xs. MacGlk is a text-game interface
standard created by Andrew Plotkin. The AGiliTy adaption itself was
created by Ben. (He doesn't list a surname on his personal website or
in readme's so I will do my part to perpetuate the mystery.)
Download #2: is apparently the first Macintosh version, which was
ported by Andrew Plotkin and updated by Brad Jones. In the information
doc, the original author (Robert Masenten) clearly states that this is
a beta version and he doesn't want it (probably meaning the source
code) on FTP sites or BBSs (other than one particular IF archive FTP).
However, that was 2+ decades ago and archived abandonware has evolved
far beyond FTP. Also, I think most classic-Mac users are savvy enough
to realize that free/share-ware isn't always fully developed or bug-
free. This copy is here because it has historical significance, and
honestly, it seems to be remarkably stable for a 68K-only app made in
the MacOS 8-9 era (which was predominantly PPC-only).
Download #3: is probably the least useful of the three. It appears to
be a command-line-only adaption that (probably) runs on later 32-bit
Intel OSs. I don't personally waste time with command-line software,
so if you want to use it, you'll have to figure out the cryptic
command modifiers on your own. There's a reason Macs have GUI
interfaces. If PC users want to continue reliving the 70s by
interfacing with what is essentially a modern-day typewriter, then
knock yourself out. Maybe you could even invest in a teleprinter and
some pin-feed paper--then you'll be in seventh heaven. Those ray-trace
monitors are pretty sexy too. ![Wink][4]
* * *
Be sure to visit [The Interactive Fiction Archive][5], which is a rich
source of information, games, and non-Macintosh downloads for
historical Interactive Fiction (text-adventure) games.
* * *
Compatibility
Architecture: 68k PPC PPC (Carbonized)
DL#1 is PPC-only and requires QuickTime (3.0+), so that limits the
emulator options to SheepShaver and OS X Classic. However, it's also
an early (PPC) OS X app, and I tested it in 10.4.11 (Tiger) and
everything works fine except the "Build Stand-Alone Game..." option
(unfortunately).
It should be noted that this version of AGiliTy converts the original,
cluttered AGT folders to a more-compact file, so when opening an AGT
file, it's actually looking for its own version of an AGT file. To
find an original, playable AGT file, the file type has to be set to
"All Documents" and the D$$ file has to be selected.
* * *
DL#2 is 68K-only, and despite being a 1999 app, it seems to work in
Basilisk II and SheepShaver with MacOSs 7-9. Technically, it also
opens in Mini vMac II with System 7.1.1, but it's not able to
recognize the D$$ file (for some reason, probably related to the
creator code).
* * *
I have no idea what DL#3 does. Figure it out for yourself, if you
dare.
[1]:
https://www.ifarchive.org/
[2]:
https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/adventure-game-toolkit-agt
[3]:
https://macintoshgarden.org/apps/agility
[4]:
http://macintoshgarden.org/sites/all/modules/smileys/packs/Roving/wink.png (Wink)
[5]:
https://www.ifarchive.org/index.html
