Transylvania

Apple II versions

On the Apple II this game underwent three major revisions: 1982 original, 1985 comprehend edition with improved parser, and in 1986 a special Double Hi-Res 16-colour version [requires 'enhanced' IIe with 128Kb RAM] which included new locations and more puzzles (later released for the Macintosh).

Development

The author Antonio Antiochia created Transylvania on Apple II+, while still at high school as a text-based adventure game. Seeking a publisher for his work, he submitted it to Penguin Software, whose owner Mark Pelczarski was so impressed gave him a copy of The Graphics Magician to illustrate the game which he gladly did and the result became the final product.

Graphics

The graphics shown on the screen were created using The Graphics Magician on Apple II series computer. Rather than saving individual graphic screens, this program is capable of recording a set of sophisticated instructions. Every picture is re-drawn as it was first originally done like a watching artist at work. This made porting the game considerably easier.

Macintosh release

Transylvania, released in 1984 for Macintosh, was probably first commercial game released for this computer. Although black-and-white only (more or less gray to be exact), had resolution much better then first '82 release for Apple II.

PCjr graphics

Transylvania is one of the few PC titles that supports 16 colors exclusively in PCjr computers.

Penguins

Most Penguin Software (or Polarware) games contain a funny little remark about Penguins on the back cover of their games. In this case it is "Penguins still do not eat turnips." Only the Penguin software release contains the sentence, the later Polarware release does not.

Polarware Humor

On the reverse side of the disk sleeve of the Apple II Polarware release are humorous disk care warning icons that indicate how a floppy disk should not be handled. These are perhaps inspired by Beagle Bros as the toaster and folded plane warnings depict the same ideas.

Information also contributed by Garcia, partykiller, Slawomir Kuczera and Andrew Roughan