Lode Runner: brilliant simplicity

The first version of the game was written by Douglas Smith in 1982 at Fortran, using pseudo-graphics and was called Kong.

What is funny, Broderbund, to which the creator sent the demo version, rejected the offer of cooperation. Smith borrowed money, finalized the game, and only on the second attempt received consent to publish an improved program under the new name Lode Runner.

There were a lot of clones, for example, I started with the Tarzan game on the back-up, but only in 1994 (!) Sierra released a sequel, which differed somewhat from the usual gameplay with the ability to play together and a large number of traps.


It is known for certain that money was specially allocated for the development of pixel-by-pixel animation of the original game, and the creation of each level of the game was paid separately to the guys who lived next door to Douglas. By the way, Daron Steinett (executive producer of Dark Forces and Outlaws at LucasArts) was a tester and creator of some levels of Lode Runner.

What is the secret? In my opinion, the appeal of old favorite games is that we played them "then." And "then" everything was better. And ice cream is tastier, and computers are smarter. It's like old action movies with your favorite actors.

Speaking objectively, we value games not for graphics, not for complexity, but rather for the thoughtfulness and validity of each element of the game, which ultimately give rise to simplicity and create an atmosphere. All this is the gameplay.

From this point of view, by the way, I prefer the classic Lode Runner with Speccy. The new ones are curious, but no more than the latest remakes of old Hollywood films.

Habrausers, is there anyone who has gone through all 150 levels?

The Other Lode Runner

PS The title picture is taken from the blog of the habrauzer vit1251 , for which he is a huge troem.