LOOM

This page is about the LucasArts computer game.For the weaving device, see loom.

LOOM is a graphical adventure game, originally released in 1990, published by LucasArts (known at the time as LucasFilm Games). It was the fourth game to use the SCUMM engine.

A departure from earlier SCUMM games in many senses, LOOM was based on a serious and complex fantasy story. It also had an experimental interface, eschewing the traditional paradigm of graphical adventures, where puzzles usually involve interactions between the game character, the environment, and multiple items the character can take into his or her possession.

LOOM's gameplay centered instead around magical four-note tunes that the protagonist, Bobbin Threadbare, could play on his distaff, which would have an effect of a certain type - "open", for example, or "light". The player's abilities would increase over the course of the game, with more and more powerful spells. At first, only C to E were provided, but at the end of the game C' (high C) is given. The game can be played at 3 different levels, each with slightly different hints. For example, the expert level does not mark the distaff and is played solely by ear.

Originally published on DOS floppy disk with EGA graphics, it was also released for Amiga, Atari ST, and Macintosh. It was re-released on CD-ROM in 1993 with VGA graphics and a full voiceover soundtrack. The project was led by Jenny Sward, who also co-wrote the story and dialogue (along with Sara Reeder and noted author Orson Scott Card).

Typically for LucasArts, some later games like Monkey Island referenced the Loom characters and storyline. For example, in the "Scumm Bar" in The Secret of Monkey Island, there is a pirate with a button on his shirt that says "Ask me about LOOM", who will happily divulge marketing information when so asked.

LOOM can be played on multiple platforms using the ScummVM emulation engine.

Due to a licensing agreement with Mindscape (defunct), the full CD-ROM version is not available; however, the floppy disk version can be bought from LucasArts and then patched with a download from The Underdogs Internet site.

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