Bloody Murder (1979) – A Forgotten Early Apple II Shocker
The late 1970s were a fascinating and experimental time for computer gaming, especially on the Apple II. Long before established genres and rating systems existed, developers often pushed boundaries in ways that would surprise modern audiences. One such example is Bloody Murder, an obscure and unsettling title released in 1979 for the Apple II.
Game Overview
Title: Bloody Murder
Platform: Apple II
Release Year: 1979
Developer / Publisher: Arthur Wells Jr.
Genre: Text-based / Adventure
Mode: Single-player
Bloody Murder is a text-driven game that leans heavily into shock value, something immediately evident from its stark title screen. The game opens with a bold warning message threatening copyright infringers—an unusual and memorable touch that reflects the era’s Wild West approach to software protection.
Gameplay and Concept
While gameplay details are minimal compared to modern standards, Bloody Murder fits within the early tradition of interactive fiction and text-based adventures. Players progress by reading descriptions and entering commands, relying on imagination rather than graphics to experience the game.
The tone is darker than most contemporaries, especially when compared to educational software or lighthearted arcade-style games common on the Apple II at the time. Its macabre theme makes it stand out as an early example of horror-inspired computer gaming.
Historical Significance
Bloody Murder is notable not because of widespread popularity, but because it represents:
- Early experimentation with mature themes on home computers
- The independent nature of late-1970s Apple II development
- A time before standardized content ratings or industry oversight
Games like this helped shape the future of narrative-driven experiences by showing that computers could be used for more than math drills or simple arcade clones.
Presentation and Style
The visuals are extremely minimal, consisting entirely of text displayed on a black background. This was typical of the era, but it also enhanced the unsettling atmosphere. The threatening copyright notice at the start remains one of the most infamous elements of the game and is often what people remember most.
Final Thoughts
Bloody Murder is a curiosity from the early days of Apple II gaming—one that perfectly captures the experimental spirit of the late 1970s. While it may not be a masterpiece, it stands as an important artifact of early home computing history and a reminder of how far interactive storytelling has come.
For collectors and retro enthusiasts, Bloody Murder remains an intriguing footnote in the Apple II library and a testament to the bold (and sometimes bizarre) creativity of early computer game developers.
