Ad Verbum cover art

Ad Verbum

With the cantankerous Wizard of Wordplay evicted from his mansion, the worthless plot can now be redeveloped. The city regulations declare, however, that the rip-down job can't proceed until all the items…

31 December 2000

Ad Verbum is an adventure developed by Nick Montfort, released 31 December 2000 on Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows) and Web browser.

Verified Sources: IGDB

What Ad Verbum is

Ad Verbum is an adventure game developed by Nick Montfort and released in 2000. It is available on Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows) and Web browser. It runs on Inform.

The premise, in the publisher's words

With the cantankerous Wizard of Wordplay evicted from his mansion, the worthless plot can now be redeveloped. The city regulations declare, however, that the rip-down job can't proceed until all the items within had been removed. As an adventurer hired by the demolitions contractor to kleptomaniacially clear out this mansion, you must engage in wordplay in order to gather all the items inside. It is not necessary to think of puns, cliches, or homonyms, however, as has been the case with previous logological interactive fiction. The puzzles in Ad Verbum are of a different—and perhaps even unique—nature.
Description from the publisher · source

How it plays

It is played from a text perspective. It is a single-player game with no multiplayer component.

What it launched against

Ad Verbum launched on 31 December 2000, within three weeks of Pokémon Crystal Version, Phantasy Star Online, Pokémon Stadium 2 and Quake III: Team Arena.

Released around the same time: Pokémon Crystal Version, Phantasy Star Online, Pokémon Stadium 2, Quake III: Team Arena.

Quick answers

Ad Verbum — frequently asked questions

When did Ad Verbum come out?
Ad Verbum was released on 31 December 2000 for Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows) and Web browser.

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