Name that Game (Development Tool?) - SOLVED

y2jake215

When I was 5 or 6 and screwing around on AOL way back when, I found some sort of downloadable game creation system. It was like a black screen with various symbols representing characters, items, enemies... The only thing I can distinctly remember is that there were enemies called "Ruffians" and I think they were shaped like spades. I used to download bunches of user-created games via AOL, including a great one I loved based on Calvin and Hobbes, where I remember going into a pool and getting coins or something from the bottom of the deep end. Does anyone know what game thing I'm describing? I've tried various Googles and nothing.

Burtletoy

Not that I have any clue, but it might help to list what year you were 5 or 6 at.

y2jake215

Fair point. This would've been mid to late 90s (probably 94-97), and I'm sure I reached where I downloaded it via an antiquated AOL keyword.

Other random things about it: it was really, really low-tech; I believe you could only move up, down, left and right; I'm pretty sure most main characters were colored smiley faces

MushroomStick

Megazeux?

y2jake215

It wasn't Megazeux but it WAS the game creation system it upgraded - ZZT.

Thanks! I would NEVER have gotten this on my own

Jimmy King

I miss ZZT. I used to play the shit out of that.