ZMPP is a Java-based Z-machine that provides a contemporary approach to emulation. It is the latest design of this popular emulator, featuring updated technology and compatibility with current systems.
The primary aim of ZMPP is to deliver an interpreter that satisfies the standard compliance requirements and allows users to play interactive fiction on multiple platforms without having to recompile the source code. It is an open source application that can be used as a standalone or as an applet.
The ZMPP implementation supports all story file versions and can run the contemporary Inform-written Interactive Fiction pieces, as well as adventures created by Infocom. It provides several key features that make it stand out, as listed below:
- ZMPP has been written completely from scratch with Java 5, making it highly reliable and efficient.
- It enables users to run Z-code interpreters directly within their web browsers by serving as a Java applet.
- The software can save and read games in the Quetzal 1.4 format, and it can also read media in Blorb format, thereby making it highly versatile.
- ZMPP supports input stream 0 and 1, which covers everything from keyboard and mouse inputs to file inputs.
- The software also supports output streams 1, 2, and 3, with facilities for screen, transcript, memory, nesting, and sub-windows.
- ZMPP offers a wide range of features, such as split sub-windows, multiple font styles and colors (console Frotz color scheme), sound effects (AIFF), accented characters, and Unicode, among others.
- ZMPP also provides support for timed input, pre-initialized input, game-defined dictionaries, alphabet tables, accent tables, user-defined default colors, and font sizes.
- The software includes several user-friendly features, such as command history and multiple undo, which enhance user experience and flexibility.
Overall, ZMPP is an excellent implementation of the Z-machine that stands out for its simplicity and versatility. It delivers a first-rate user experience and provides users with several unique features that are highly beneficial for Interactive Fiction enthusiasts.
Version 1.0: N/A