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The Retro Adventurers

The Retro Adventurers
Text Adventure Games
Interactive Fiction
Infocom
Retro Adventure Games
Valkyrie 17
Redhawk
Spider-Man
Ship Of Doom
The Dark Crystal
Game Development
Technology
Colossal Cave
Mask Of the Sun
Sphinx Adventure
Twin Kingdom Valley
The Tracer Sanction
Sherlock Holmes
Kingdom Of the Seven Stones
Swiss Family Robinson
Valhalla

Explore classic text adventure games from legendary publishers and authors including Magnetic Scrolls, Level 9, Infocom, Scott Adams, and Interplay. A podcast for fans of GET LAMP, Eaten By a Grue, The Classic Adventurer, Renga In Blue, and Quest For Clues.Follow us on your favorite podcast app, and keep the conversations going on Discord, Facebook, and Bluesky.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes42Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureVideo GamesTechnology

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Artwork for The Retro Adventurers

Latest Episodes

Your monthly classic text adventuring news update delivered this month by Jason, Nick, and Tim. The top stories are  game contests still open for players votes at time of publication! Don't delay, listen and click today!

Text Adventure Literacy Jam ... more

YouTube

It's an Infocom antiheroic classic and a throwback Infocom parody this time out as modern IF legend Andrew Plotkin (Zarf) joins Jason and Nick for two perilous adventures.

Lurking Horror sendup The Smirking Horror by Jason Davis leads off, a reasona... more

YouTube

There's news out there in classic text adventures and neo-retro interactive fiction, and it's past time The Retro Adventurers got serious about delivering it! So, welcome to the first installment of a new monthly feature, OPEN MAILBOX -- where you GE... more

YouTube

Thank you for another year of Retro Adventuring with us! To celebrate we've gathered together to share important news about a change in the team roster, an exciting new monthly department, and to share a first look at our new handcrafted artwork (tha... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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This Week in Retro
This Week in RetroChris from 005 AGIMA, Jason from The Retro Adventurers, Dave and Duncan Styles
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You Don't Know FlackRob "Flack" O'Hara

Recent Guests

Andrew Zarf Plotkin
Guest participant on the episode
Episode: Episode 41 - Infidel and The Smirking Horror
Ron Martinez
Former guest and co-creator involved in Hidden Agenda and Talking AI systems
Independent/Creator
Episode: Episode 37 - Another Conversation With Ron Martinez
Scott Adams
Creator of the Scott Adams text adventures
Adventure International (UK/US)
Episode: Episode 35 - 2025 Year-End Chatisode
Andrew Plotkin
Designer/author of Inhumane, Z-machine discussions
Independent
Episode: Episode 35 - 2025 Year-End Chatisode
Iain Lee
Past Retro Adventurers player, television host
Media/TV
Episode: Episode 35 - 2025 Year-End Chatisode
Christian Neuhaus
Guest, involved in Sherlock Holmes adaptation discussions
Sherlock Holmes adaptation project
Episode: Episode 35 - 2025 Year-End Chatisode
Brian Rushton
Mathbrush, prolific interactive fiction reviewer and game writer
IFDB reviewer and IF creator
Episode: Episode 33 - A Conversation with Mathbrush
Dave Velociraptor
Guest from This Week in Retro
This Week in Retro
Episode: Episode 29 - The Robots of Dawn and Souls of Darkon
Peter Golden
Author of Sherlock Holmes: Another Bow, prolific writer spanning multiple genres.
Episode: Episode 24 - A Conversation with Peter Golden

Hosts

Nick Moffat
Co-host of The Retro Adventurers; frequent contributor with a focus on整理 and historical context.
Jason Compton
Co-host and frequent discussion leader; brings technical insight and a passion for interactive fiction.
Ben Collier
Host and co-creator; provides analytical perspective on game design and narrative structure.
Dave Hawkins
Host and frequent co-host; discusses gameplay mechanics and historical context with enthusiasm.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 30 ratings
  • Deep, chewy nerdism

    If you like your dives deep and your games text based this is the absolute go to podcast. Very geeky chat alongside picking apart a variety of text adventures across a wealth of platforms - great fun!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Majikal Mike
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • I love this podcast!

    Since I’m on a roll (just added a review for This Week in Retro) - figured I’d stop here since this is one of the other few podcasts that I really look forward to. Great content - particularly love the adventure dives - and fantastic hosts. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    pxlcool
    United States3 months ago
  • A high quality production

    Jason and co wax lyrical (and I do mean lyrical) about old text adventures. Each episode seems really well planned so that the discussions flow in a natural and entertaining way. Fascinating stuff for those of us who mostly prefer to hear about (rather than play) classic text adventures!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Piero
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Showed Up for the Retro Adventure… Stayed for the Engaging Hosts!

    One of those rare podcasts that lures you with an intriguing subject (Classic 8-Bit Text Adventures) but a few episodes in, you discover the hosts could make any topic entertaining!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    shroomAzoom
    Canadaa year ago
  • Cumbo lives!

    Good to hear Cumbo on episode 1

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RainMan999
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show delivers engaging, well-planned discussions with natural flow.
Hosts make any topic entertaining with their chemistry.
Episode highlights strong writing and insightful guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 28 - A Conversation with Andrew Plotkin
Q: What inspired you to re-implement Inhumane in Inform 6 and make it playable on modern platforms?
The motivation came from seeing the original on a listing and realizing there was value in preserving and sharing the experience with newer audiences, plus the opportunity to illustrate how Inform could extend the life of classic works across devices.
Episode 28 - A Conversation with Andrew Plotkin
Q: Did you change the text at all?
I did not; I attempted to recreate the experience as closely as possible while using the Inform-based path, fixing a few typos but keeping the original sense intact.
Episode 16 - A Conversation With Jonathan Partington
Q: What do you think we should play next from the Jonathan Partington archives?
You could try Murdac. Murdac is a bit more sympathetic to the player.
Episode 16 - A Conversation With Jonathan Partington
Q: Can you talk about what it was that hooked you?
I liked writing puzzles. People could interact in fiction a lot, which drew me to text adventures.
A Conversation with Roberta and Ken Williams
Q: Can you tell us about your new books?
Ken's book 'Not All Fairy Tales Have Happy Endings' discusses the rise and fall of Sierra, while Roberta's 'Farewell to Tara' focuses on historical themes.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Retro Adventurers

What is The Retro Adventurers about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show spotlights classic text adventure games and the people who create and analyze them, blending author interviews, historical context, and deep dives into puzzle design, narrative, and programming. Episodes frequently explore how literary works and historical periods influence interactive fiction, discuss different publishers and platforms, and share behind-the-scenes anecdotes from developers and researchers. A notable edge is the emphasis on literary quality within games and the evolution of text adventures across platforms, which helps listeners understand the craft behind enduring classics and enjoy thoughtful, nostalgia-tinged conversations.

If you're into retro computing, puzzle-rich storytelling, and the history of interactiv... more

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How many listeners does The Retro Adventurers get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Retro Adventurers?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Retro Adventurers:

1. The Retro Hour (Retro Gaming Podcast)
2. This Week in Retro
3. Rees Rambles
4. Pixel Gaiden Gaming Podcast
5. You Don't Know Flack

How many episodes of The Retro Adventurers are there?

The Retro Adventurers launched 2 years ago and published 42 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Retro Adventurers?

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What guests have appeared on The Retro Adventurers?

Recent guests on The Retro Adventurers include:

1. Andrew Zarf Plotkin
2. Ron Martinez
3. Scott Adams
4. Andrew Plotkin
5. Iain Lee
6. Christian Neuhaus
7. Brian Rushton
8. Dave Velociraptor

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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