Hollywood Hijinx

Overview

Hollywood Hijinx was the 23rd game released by interactive fiction pioneers Infocom.

Development

The game designer/programmer (or as Infocom called it, "implementor", or "imp") responsible for Hollywood Hijinx was "Hollywood" Dave Anderson. Nicknamed for both his California roots (whereas Infocom was based in the Boston area) and his ebullient personality, Anderson worked his way up from playtester, to lead playtester, to "imp". But it was Liz Cyr-Jones, his successor as lead playtester, who came up with the idea for Hollywood Hijinx, inspired by Anderson's ubiquitous nickname.

Unlike most Infocom games post-Zork, Hollywood Hijinx is a throwback to the Zork era. The focus is on puzzle-solving and treasure collecting, rather than testing out new innovations to the interactive fiction medium.

Story

As a child, you spent most of your summers with your Aunt Hildegarde and Uncle Buddy. What memories! Uncle Buddy was a Hollywood big-shot, Aunt Hildegarde his loving (and very rich) wife. They had no children of their own, but you and your cousins loved their house, their parties, the Hollywood memorabilia, and them. Sure, Buddy and Hildy were a bit eccentric -- but that added to their charm.

Aunt Hildegarde kept the house when Uncle Buddy passed away. And now that she's suddenly died, you remember her unusual will. You will inherit the entire estate -- probably worth millions if you can spend just one night in the house and on the grounds, find a treasure or two. But if you can't then you inherit nothing.

And so Hollywood Hijinx begins with you being dropped off in front of a dark house, not too far from Hollywood ...

"Feelies"

As had become traditional for Infocom, Hollywood Hijinx's packaging contained collectibles (or, as they were referred to, "feelies") to help set the mood of the game. Hollywood Hijinx's "feelies" were:

• A 15-page-long issue of "Tinsel World", a fictional tabloid magazine. The issue is described as "a tribute to Buddy Burbank", and details much of the backstory of Buddy and Hildy.
• A signed photo and letter from Buddy.
• A copy of Buddy's will.
• A "Lucky Palm swizzle stick", as described in the ad in the back of "Tinsel World".