Whisperstring (AppID: 3346760)

Whisperstring is an 80s inspired text adventure game that takes place inside a “chat room”. You’re connected to Adam, a "jock" with a severe fear of strings, who seems to have been the victim of a supernatural kidnapping. Will you be able to help him escape?

Whisperstring was a chat program developed by &&&$$$SSS66 (pronounced “And-Es-Six”) and released in the late 1980s. While it never gained the popularity of its IRC-based counterparts, it did have a small community of enthusiasts. Instead of focusing on chat rooms, it connected two random strangers who could chat one-on-one. While the mentioned enthusiasts are by now mostly non-existent, our team has decided to preserve the software and make it compatible with modern computers. Feel free to give it a try, and maybe you’ll soon join us as part of the (hopefully) growing team of Whisperstring enthusiasts! To quote the wise words of &&&$$$SSS66: “Don't forget that you'll be talking to a real person. Don't be a dick. [...] Have fun!”

You can listen to and download the soundtrack for free on bandcamp.

Features:

• Command line processing: Interact with the game world by typing text commands.

• Puzzles: Explore Adam's "prison", use items, and decipher clues to progress through the story.

• Player agency: Different text prompts allow you to infuse the main character with your own personality.