http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8862jnz No online items Guide to the Steven Meretzky papers relating to computer game design and interactive fiction history, 1978-2009 M1730 Finding aid prepared by Eric Kaltman, Revised by Charlotte Thai Dept. of Special Collections & University Archives Stanford University Libraries. 557 Escondido Mall Stanford, California, 94305 Email:
[email protected] 2014 M1730 1 Title: Steven Meretzky Papers Identifier/Call Number: M1730 Contributing Institution: Dept. of Special Collections & University Archives Language of Material: English Physical Description: 43.5 Linear feet(54 boxes, 1 flat box, 6 map folders, 1 map tube) Date (inclusive): Circa 1978-2009 Abstract: The papers include design and game development documents, correspondence, paper files, electronic games, magazines, data disks, original game package artwork, PR and marketing materials, and miscellaneous electronic game industry memorabilia. Creator: Meretzky, Steve Boffo Games, Inc. Related resource: Boffo Games collection, 1993-1996. Stanford University Libraries. Biographical Note Steven Meretzky was born on May 1, 1957 in Yonkers, NY. He attended MIT in 1975 in pursuit of an architecture career, and was majoring in construction management when he changed his career goals to focus on computer game development. His roommate at the time, Mike Dornbrook, was working as the first and only game tester for Infocom, a computer game publisher specializing in text adventures (aka “interactive fiction”) titles. Interactive fiction games are controlled by the player through a text-based parser, which interprets simple instructions that the player types into the computer, such as “get lamp.” Dornbrook was play testing the title Zork I in their living room on an Apple II computer, recording any programming bugs, and Meretzky assisted (unpaid) because of his interest in the game.