Frotz

Frotz is a cross-platform, open-source interpreter for the Z-machine, the virtual machine used by Infocom and other publishers to deliver interactive fiction. By decoding Z-code game files, Frotz lets players run classic text adventures on modern hardware, enabling the standard text input and output that the genre is known for.

The software supports a broad range of Z-machine versions and is designed for portability, with ports for Unix-like systems, Windows, and mobile devices. It is commonly used to play a wide catalog of Infocom and other Z-code games, including well-known titles such as Zork and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, on contemporary platforms.

Development of Frotz has a long history in the interactive fiction community, driven by volunteers and contributors. Over the years, multiple ports and forks have appeared to adapt the engine to new environments and to integrate with other IF tools and game collections. This has helped preserve access to preserved works and supported archival playback of classic titles.

In use, Frotz provides a straightforward means of running Z-code games without requiring original hardware or proprietary software. It remains a staple option for IF enthusiasts and archivists seeking reliable access to older interactive fiction on a variety of devices.