'Advent' is reputedly the first text adventure game. It was originally created by William Crowthers, and later expanded by Don Woods. It was programmed in Fortran, on a DEC PDP-10 computer, and Woods' version dates from 1977. This first version has a maintenance feature called "Magic Mode". It was intended for administrators only, and involves a bizarre authentication process. After entering "MAGIC MODE" as first command in the game, the program will ask:
"ARE YOU A WIZARD?", (replay "YES")
"PROVE IT! SAY MAGIC WORD", (default is "DWARF")
"THAT'S NOT WHAT I THOUGHT IT WAS. DO YOU KNOW WHAT I THOUGHT IT WAS?", (replay "NO")
A random five character challenge is then issued, and the correct response must be entered. This response is based on the challenge, a "magic number" (default is 11111), and PDP-10 system time (*). The form in the left will calculate the answer to this Magic Mode challenge. Once in Magic Mode it's possible to modify "Magic Word", "Magic Number", at what hours can unprivileged users play, message of the day...
Magic Mode was taken out of most versions of advent, so a real or emulated PDP system is needed to try it. There is an step by step guide to compiling advent on a PDP-10 emulator, but sadly is only available in Spanish: Emulando advent tal y como fue creada.
*: System time can be obtained with the operating system command "DAYTIME".
