The Manhole

Last updated
The Manhole
Manholecoverlores.png
Cover art for The Manhole: CD-ROM Masterpiece Edition
Developer(s) Cyan Worlds
Publisher(s) Broderbund, Activision
Designer(s) Rand and Robyn Miller
Engine Multimedia Applications Development Environment
Platform(s) Mac OS, TurboGrafx 16, MS-DOS, FM Towns, Microsoft Windows, iOS
ReleaseNovember 24, 1988, December 18, 1989, May 9, 1992, June 8, 1995, July 5, 2007
(Steam) (PC only)
  • WW: August 18th, 2010 [1]
(GOG.com) (PC only)
  • WW: Jan. 21, 2011 [2]
iOS
  • WW: August 7th, 2010 [3]
Genre(s) Adventure
Mode(s) Single-player

The Manhole is an adventure video game in which the player opens a manhole and reveals a gigantic beanstalk, leading to fantastic worlds.

Contents

Summary

The Manhole game world (original Mac release shown) emphasizes visual elements instead of written words. The-Manhole-screenshot.png
The Manhole game world (original Mac release shown) emphasizes visual elements instead of written words.

The game was first released on floppy disks in 1988 by Cyan, Inc. (now Cyan Worlds) and distributed through mail order. [4] In 1989, it was produced for Activision as a CD-ROM version based on the floppy disk game. [5] This version was the first computer game distributed on CD-ROM (although there had already been two games released in late 1988 in Japan for NEC's PC Engine game console on its CD-ROM² format). [6] [7] [8] [9] It runs in black-and-white on the Macintosh line of computers. It was created using the HyperTalk programming language by brothers Rand and Robyn Miller, who founded the company Cyan and would go on to produce the best-selling adventure game Myst . The Manhole was later also released for the PC Engine and FM Towns.

The game was re-released for MS-DOS twice, once in 1992 by Activision as The Manhole: New and Enhanced (including a Windows 3.1 version) and again in 1995 as The Manhole: CD-ROM Masterpiece Edition by Broderbund, which featured the use of color, music, voice, sound effects, and some new characters. Cyan artist Chuck Carter designed all of the color graphics in about three months using StrataVision 3D. In 2007, the game was released on GameTap. [10] As of February 2011, the game is available from GOG.com, [11] iTunes, [12] and as part of the "Cyan Complete Pack" on Steam. [13]

The Manhole is a notable computer game because, like Cosmic Osmo and Spelunx , it has no goal and no end; as a software toy the object is simply to explore and have fun.

Reception

Describing The Manhole as "the first children's software to require a hard disk", Macworld in March 1989 stated that its "realistic sounds, the fantasy-filled graphics, and the stack construction are truly impressive". The magazine "highly recommended [the game] for young children[, and] it's hard to imagine a playful soul of any age who wouldn't enjoy exploring the mind-tickling world inside The Manhole". [14]

The Manhole won a Software Publishers Association Excellence in Software Award in 1989 for Best New Use of a Computer. [15]

Related Research Articles

<i>Star Trek: 25th Anniversary</i> (computer game) 1992 video game

Star Trek: 25th Anniversary is an adventure video game developed and published by Interplay Productions in 1992, based on the Star Trek universe. The game chronicles various missions of James T. Kirk and his crew of the USS Enterprise. Its 1993 sequel, Star Trek: Judgment Rites, continues and concludes this two-game series.

<i>Myst</i> 1993 video game

Myst is an adventure video game designed by the Miller brothers, Robyn and Rand. It was developed by Cyan, Inc., published by Broderbund, and initially released in 1993 for the Macintosh. In the game, the player travels via a special book to a mysterious island called Myst. From there, solving puzzles allows the player to travel to other worlds ("Ages"), which reveal the backstory of the game's characters and help the player make the choice of whom to aid. The player interacts with objects and walks to different locations by clicking on pre-rendered imagery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyan Worlds</span> American video game developer

Cyan, Inc., also known as Cyan Worlds, Inc., is an American video game developer and publisher based in Mead, Washington. Founded as Cyan Productions by brothers Rand and Robyn Miller in 1987, the company created the Myst series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LaserActive</span> Video game console

The LaserActive is a converged device and fourth-generation home video game console capable of playing LaserDiscs, Compact Discs, console games, and LD-G karaoke discs. It was released by Pioneer Corporation in 1993. In addition to LaserActive games, separately sold add-on modules accept Mega Drive/Genesis and PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 ROM cartridges and CD-ROMs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rand Miller</span> American businessman

Rand Miller is a C.E.O. and co-founder of Cyan Worlds. He and his brother Robyn Miller became famous due to the success of their computer game Myst, which remained the all-time best-selling computer game from its release in 1993 until that record was surpassed by The Sims nearly a decade later. Rand also worked on the game's sequel, Riven, and later reprised his role as protagonist Atrus in Myst III: Exile; realMyst; Uru; Myst IV: Revelation; and Myst V: End of Ages. He also co-authored Myst novels The Book of Atrus, The Book of Ti'ana, and The Book of D'ni.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Presto Studios</span> Video game developer

Presto Studios was a computer game development company of the 1990s. The company is notable for its award-winning series The Journeyman Project as well as Myst III: Exile, the 2001 sequel to Cyan's Myst series.

Myst is a franchise centered on a series of adventure video games. The first game in the series, Myst, was released in 1993 by brothers Rand and Robyn Miller and their video game company Cyan, Inc. The first sequel to Myst, Riven, was released in 1997 and was followed by three more direct sequels: Myst III: Exile in 2001, Myst IV: Revelation in 2004, and Myst V: End of Ages in 2005. A spinoff featuring a multiplayer component, Uru: Ages Beyond Myst, was released in 2003 and followed by two expansion packs.

<i>Little Big Adventure</i> 1994 video game

Little Big Adventure is a 1994 action-adventure game developed by Adeline Software International. It was published in Europe by Electronic Arts, and by Activision in North America, Asia and Oceania under the name Relentless: Twinsen's Adventure. Over 500,000 copies were sold by 1999. The game was initially released on CD-ROM and some time later on floppy disks; the CD-ROM version features full-motion video, music and speech whereas the floppy disk version has MIDI music files and still images to replace the videos. The game was later ported to the PC-98 and FM Towns and was released in Japan in 1995. It was released for the PlayStation in Japan and Europe in 1996 and 1997 respectively, and to Android and iOS devices in 2014.

<i>Strike Commander</i> 1993 video game

Strike Commander is a combat flight simulation video game designed by Chris Roberts and released by Origin Systems for the PC DOS in 1993. Its 3D graphics-engine used both gouraud shading and texture-mapping on both aircraft-models and terrain, an impressive feat at the time. Significant plot elements were presented through in-game cut-scene animations, a hallmark storytelling vehicle from Chris Robert's previous Wing Commander games. Strike Commander has been called "Privateer on Earth", due to the mercenary role-playing in the game.

<i>Myst V: End of Ages</i> 2005 video game

Myst V: End of Ages is a 2005 adventure video game, the fifth installment in the Myst series. The game was developed by Cyan Worlds, published by Ubisoft, and released for Macintosh and Windows PC platforms in September 2005. As in previous games in the series, End of Ages's gameplay consists of navigating worlds known as "Ages" via the use of special books and items which act as portals.

<i>Spelunx</i> 1991 video game

Spelunx and the Caves of Mr. Seudo is an educational computer game intended for young children developed by Cyan in 1991.

<i>Cosmic Osmo and the Worlds Beyond the Mackerel</i> 1990 video game

Cosmic Osmo and the Worlds Beyond the Mackerel is a graphic adventure computer game for the Macintosh computer line created by Cyan, Inc. It was published in 1989 and won the 1990 Mac User's Editors' Choice Award for the "Best Recreational Program" category.

<i>Dark Sun: Shattered Lands</i> 1993 video game

Dark Sun: Shattered Lands is a turn-based role-playing video game that takes place in the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting of Dark Sun. It was developed and published by Strategic Simulations in 1993. It received positive reviews although released initially in an unfinished state. The game had a sequel, Dark Sun: Wake of the Ravager, in 1994. An online MMORPG taking place in the same setting, Dark Sun Online: Crimson Sands, was released in 1996 and hosted on the T.E.N. Network.

<i>Star Wars: X-Wing</i> (video game) 1993 video game

Star Wars: X-Wing is a space simulation video game, the first of the X-Wing combat flight simulation games series. The player's character flies starfighters, including the X-wing, for the Rebel Alliance. The narrative precedes and parallels the events of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.

StrataVision 3D is a comprehensive 3D computer graphics software package developed by Strata. Features include primitives-based modeling with texturising, keyframe animation, raytrace and later radiosity rendering under the name of Raydiosity.

Secret Agent is a side-scrolling platform game developed and published by Apogee Software. The first episode is shareware, while the remaining two are sold directly by the publisher. Secret Agent uses the same game engine as the earlier Crystal Caves.

<i>Dragon Lore</i> 1994 video game

Dragon Lore: The Legend Begins is a point-and-click adventure game released in 1994 by Cryo Interactive for MS-DOS, and later ported to the 3DO video game console. The game was a commercial success, with sales of 300,000 units by 1997. An emulated version was released for Microsoft Windows and macOS in 2013.

<i>Dark Sun: Wake of the Ravager</i> 1994 video game

Dark Sun: Wake of the Ravager is a role-playing video game developed and published by Strategic Simulations in 1994 for the MS-DOS operating system. It is the sequel to Dark Sun: Shattered Lands.

<i>Star Wars: TIE Fighter</i> 1994 video game

Star Wars: TIE Fighter is a 1994 Star Wars space flight simulator and space combat video game, a sequel in the Star Wars: X-Wing series. It places the player in the role of an Imperial starfighter pilot during events that occur between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

<i>Grandmaster Chess</i> 1992 video game

Grandmaster Chess is a 1992 chess video game for DOS and Macintosh developed by IntraCorp and its subsidiary Capstone that was focused on neural network technology and an artificial intelligence (AI) able to learn from mistakes.

References

  1. "Cyan Worlds' Games Available Via Steam". CyanWorlds.com. 2010-08-07. Retrieved 2012-05-05.
  2. "Big Weekend Sale on Cyan Games at GOG!". CyanWorlds.com. 2012-01-21. Archived from the original on 2011-11-13. Retrieved 2012-05-05.
  3. "Announcing The Manhole: Masterpiece Edition for iOS". CyanWorlds.com. 2010-08-07. Retrieved 2012-05-05.
  4. Visionaries PROFILES Rand and Robyn Miller
  5. Digital Interactivity Archived 2006-08-19 at the Wayback Machine
  6. "[I ♥ the PC Engine] Fighting Street @ Magweasel".
  7. "[I ♥ the PC Engine] No-Ri-Ko @ Magweasel".
  8. Kohler, Chris (24 September 2008). "Sept. 24, 1993: Beautiful 'Myst' Ushers In Era of CD-ROM Gaming". Wired Magazine.
  9. Sipe, Russell (November 1992). "3900 Games Later..." Computer Gaming World. No. 100. p. 8. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  10. "The Manhole". Gametap. Archived from the original on 2007-07-07. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  11. "The Manhole: Masterpiece Edition". GOG.
  12. "The Manhole: Masterpiece". Apple AppStore. 27 January 2022.
  13. "The Manhole: Masterpiece Edition on Steam". Steam.
  14. Beekman, George (March 1989). "HyperCard Entertainment Stacks". Macworld . Vol. 6, no. 3. pp. 190–192. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  15. Scisco, Peter (August 1989). "the Envelope, Please". Compute!. Vol. 11, no. 8 #111. p. 6. Retrieved 11 November 2013.