External Links

The original Deadline is a commercial game not available for download, but a remake in Inform is available.
deadlineinv.z5
Invisiclues in Z-code format
Requires a Z-Code interpreter. Visit IFWiki for download links.
deadline.zip *
THL hint file
Sols3.zip *
solution
Sols1.zip *
solution
Deadline.inv
transcribed Invisiclues hint book
sample.from.deadline
sample transcript from original documentation
deadline.txt
solution
Salvaged Copy
The source files and a precompiled ZMachine storyfile of this adventure were recovered from a salvaged "Infocom hard drive", and made publicly available on GitHub in an effort to preserve them.
Inform6 source code. *
Contains Deadline.inf
The source code for the port, to inform6, by Volker Lanz, see the readme file for compiling instructions.
* Compressed with ZIP. Free Unzip tools are available for most systems at www.info-zip.org.

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Deadline

by Marc Blank

Mystery
1982

About the Story

Twelve hours to solve the mystery. One false move, and the killer strikes again.
It's been called "part of the latest craze in home computing (TIME magazine), an "amazing feat of programming" (THE NEW YORK TIMES) and the "Best Adventure of 1983" (ELECTRONIC GAMES).

It's Deadline, and it puts you, the keen-eyed sleuth, against a 12-hour time limit to solve a classic locked-door mystery. Armed only with the clues inside this package and your own wits, you must sift through myriads of evidence and motives to track down the killer. No easy feat, for all six of your suspects exercise free will - coming and going, scheming and maneuvering independently of your actions. And some of these personalities are so treacherous that, should you make the wrong move, one of them may do you in.

Difficulty: Expert.

(IFID refers to the commercial version of the game, though the port is available as source code from the IF Archive.)


Game Details

Off-Site Reviews

Just Adventure
Can you find the guilty party or parties and solve the crime? Is it a crime? Arresting someone before you have a tight case can mean the death of a jury verdict. Playing Deadline to a successful conclusion requires concentration and diligence. It is not an easy game. But you will find that it is well worth your effort. Deadline can be purchased new or used at Amazon.com as part of the Infocom Adventure Collection. These games could turn your long, hot summer into an exciting trip into your imagination. Why not give this one a try?
See the full review

SPAG
The six main NPCs (not counting the attorney, who only plays a minor role) are really fleshed out; they act reasonable and consistent to their character and motives. You can show a lot of things to them and study their reactions, you can ask them about many topics, you can follow them around, you can accuse them and listen to what they have to say. Only few i-f games have such complete NPCs, I would say.
-- Volker Lanz
See the full review

Page Update History

v.17: 09-Jul-2020 16:35 - Petter Sjölund (Current Version) - Edit Page - Normal View
Changed IFIDs
v.16: 23-Aug-2020 00:47 - Zape
Changed download links
  v.15: 09-Jul-2020 16:35 - Zape
Changed development system
v.14: 09-Jul-2020 16:34 - Zape
Changed download links
v.13: 21-Apr-2019 05:12 - Tristano
Changed download links
v.12: 27-Aug-2018 21:17 - hashyx
Changed IFIDs
v.11: 15-Nov-2014 23:23 - scolapasta
Changed IFIDs
v.10: 17-Apr-2013 10:15 - Edward Lacey
Changed external review links
v.9: 07-Jul-2011 19:31 - GDL
Changed publication date
v.8: 11-Dec-2010 15:52 - Michael Roberts
Changed download links
v.7: 03-Jul-2010 21:06 - RedHatter
Changed download links
v.6: 18-Jul-2009 12:42 - Fredrik Ramsberg
Changed forgiveness, author
v.5: 25-Oct-2008 08:23 - Markus Peter
Changed IFIDs
v.4: 14-May-2008 21:18 - rickreynolds
Changed IFIDs
v.3: 05-Apr-2008 12:06 - Emily Short
Changed external review links
v.2: 19-Feb-2008 19:57 - Emily Short
Changed IFIDs, cover art, description
v.1: 29-Sep-2007 20:49 - IFDB
Created page