The House That Wept

THE HOUSE THAT WEPT
The Haunting of Gale's Rest

The house had a tragic history. Many decades in the past, Gale fell in
love with Thomas, the young servant of  her stepfather, the Major, who
twisted by jealousy and desire, refused to let her belong to anyone but him.

Determined to tear them apart, the Major took a cruel action, setting
a chain of tragic events into motion that sent echoes across time.Many years later, Ray, a London writer, and his sister Eleanor, whowere seeking a quiet escape from the bustle of the city in 1947,
find themselves drawn to the rugged beauty of Cornwall's coastline.
One crisp autumn afternoon, as they wander the cliffs, they stumble upon
the abandoned mansion perched on the world's edge, gazing solemnly
over the churning sea.

The house, known by the villagers as Gale's Rest, is a place of whispered
warnings and wary glances. The locals insist it is haunted and that
no one stays there for long. Ray, ever the sceptic, brushes off their strange
pull. Ghosts, after all, are nothing more than stories.But the mansion has
waited, silent and sorrowful, for someone to return.
Soon, they begin to wonder if perhaps Gale's Rest has been waiting
for them all along.



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ABOUT THE ZX SPECTRUM 48K GAME

THE HOUSE THAT WEEPS ( or The Haunting of Gale's Rest ) was another tricky adventure game to develop for the ZX Spectrum 48K.

But I was expecting it to be as this time I really wanted to create some sort of interactive ghost story or haunted house novel and so it was tricky to add puzzles that could be solved without a sepecific order and still guide the player inside the narrative. But it was fun to do.

As always, none of my GAC games follow a strictly linear path—I strive to create an actual open-world experience, even within the constraints of a 48K ZX Spectrum.

Of the mere 21K available for each adventure I program, at least 19K is dedicated to structuring the game itself, leaving me with only 2K, sometimes 3K or 4K if I'm lucky, to create the graphics.

Working within these limitations is always a challenge, but it's also what makes designing these games so rewarding. Particularly when the storyline works as it happens with this one.

The House That Wept also does not follow a linear path because I've never been a fan of the classic ZX adventure structure, where progression is locked behind solving puzzles in a rigid sequence.
Instead, my games allow players to choose which puzzles to tackle first, ensuring they will always encounter key moments of the story no matter their path. This approach creates a sense of freedom, making the game world feel more open and immersive, even in titles that don't feature massive maps as it happens with this one.

While The House That Wept is not one of my largest games in terms of locations, it makes up for that by being one of the most tightly woven narratives I've ever created using GAC.
In many ways, I approached this project as an interactive novel rather than just a game. When I design a ZX Spectrum adventure, I think of a writer first and a gamer second. I love telling stories through games. GAC has become my tool for structuring narratives—almost like a digital notebook that helps me plan a novel. This is why I'm able to develop both a game and a companion book simultaneously, and it's also why I continue to love creating adventures for the ZX Spectrum.

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ABOUT THE STORY - The Inspiration Behind The House That Wept

I've wanted to write The House That Wept since I discovered The Uninvited, one of Hollywood's first haunted house movies.

THE UNINVITED - IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037415/

This little-known classic 1944 supernatural drama quickly became one of my all-time favourite films and probably my favourite ghost story ever put to the big screen.
I've always wanted to see if I could write a classic ghost story like that.
Of course, with everything in it now, it's considered a classic cliche. And I wanted to do it in the most pulp fiction type of way as a homage to all those lost paperbacks of many decades ago.

It took me about a year to develop the story because, although I planned to use it to create another of my retro adventure games, I wanted to do more than make a great adventure game for the ZX Spectrum and I tried to craft a "classic" compelling ghost story that could stand alone because like I did for my other game "A Terrific Weekend Adventure", which is a game and a book, I wanted to publish THE HOUSE THAT WEPT as pulp-novel too.



So, right from the start, my goal was to develop both the ZX Spectrum game and a companion pulp-novel, allowing the story to be experienced in multiple ways. And of course in the book , I got to add several details I had to leave out of the game because of the lack of memory.

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BUT THE INSPIRATION FOR THIS PROJECT STARTED A WHILE AGO

It all started when I stumbled across that now forgotten haunted house movie in a torrent two years ago. The Uninvited totally blew me away. So much that I bought the blu-ray immediatly the next day.

If you've ever wondered what Casablanca might have been like with ghosts, The Uninvited is the answer.
Like Casablanca, it has an unforgettable romantic atmosphere, a hauntingly beautiful score, and a captivating lead actress.

Shot in the same era in 1944, The Uninvited carries the distinct visual influence of German Expressionism, giving it the striking shadows and moody cinematography that defined classic film noir.
And while the supernatural had been used in Hollywood before, it had always been for comedy or light mystery. The Uninvited was the first major Hollywood film to treat a ghost story with genuine drama and moments of absolute terror.

What truly elevates The Uninvited to Casablanca status for me is its romance—driven by two key elements that worked so well in Casablanca: an unforgettable leading lady and an iconic musical theme.
Where Casablanca had Ingrid Bergman and "As Time Goes By," The Uninvited had Gail Russell and "Stella by Starlight."

Stella who? -- You might ask.

Although it didn't retain the same pop culture status as "As Time Goes By" does nowadays, The Uninvited's theme score became so popular at that time ( the movie was a success then ) that it was later given lyrics and recorded by legendary artists like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, and Chet Baker and became a Jazz classic.

And then there was Gail Russell.

You may not have heard of her—I hadn't before I saw The Uninvited—but once you witness her performance, you won't forget her.



Her presence on screen is mesmerizing, and her performance is vulnerable and ethereal. In my mind, she is as captivating as Ingrid Bergman ever was in Casablanca.
Sadly, Russell's real life was as tragic as the character she played in The Uninvited, and she passed away far too young, leaving behind a legacy that feels as haunted as the film itself.

The Uninvited is based on a novel from the 1930s I've never read.
Its story revolves around a brother and sister who purchase an old mansion on the rugged Cornwall coast, seeking an escape from the chaos of city life.

While my own story, The House That Wept begins in a similar way as a homage, it takes its own unique path from there. Still, I made sure to weave in subtle references—Easter eggs for those who love The Uninvited as much as I do.
Also in my imagination, my story is set in the exact same location as the movie. It´s like it´s the same place but with a different story.



For instance, my character, Gale, is named after Gail Russell, and she is the stepdaughter of the domineering Major Russell. My protagonist, Ray, is a nod to Ray Milland, the lead actor in The Uninvited. While many of my characters were inspired by the film, they take on different roles and arcs in my story, creating something fresh while still honouring the classic that inspired me. At least, that was my goal.

IMPORTANT:  Nothing in my story will contain *spoilers* for the film or vice-versa. So you can read or play my story or, if you want, see the movie that inspired it first. Both are totally different stories. Only mine was inspired by the atmosphere and settings of the movie.

Ultimately, The House That Wept was born out of my deep admiration for The Uninvited, a film that has never left me since I first watched.

Suppose you enjoyed The House That Wept, and my story resonated with you ( even if you've never seen a classic movie but love a great ghost story ). In that case, you must watch The Uninvited (and, of course, Casablanca).

These films are more than just old Hollywood classics; they are timeless stories filled with atmosphere, romance, and mystery. The Uninvited set the standard for supernatural storytelling on screen. Casablanca remains one of the greatest love stories ever told. Watching The Uninvited will only deepen your appreciation for the genre if you appreciate eerie mansions, lingering spirits, and love that defies time.

So, after you've experienced The House That Wept, do yourself a favour—turn down the lights, let the shadows flicker, and step into the haunting beauty of The Uninvited. You won't regret it.

Criterion released a fantastic Blu-ray edition of The Uninvited, which I highly recommend if you live in Europe. The restoration is stunning, bringing the film's eerie atmosphere and striking noir visuals back to life in the best possible quality.

Even beyond the film itself, the extras make this edition a must-have. There's a fascinating documentary covering the tragic lives of the main actors, the evolution of ghost stories in Hollywood, and insightful discussions on supernatural themes in cinema.

Whether you're a longtime fan of classic films or new to the genre, this release is the perfect way to experience The Uninvited in all its haunting beauty.

And then, DOWNLOAD and PLAY MY GAME, of course.
More to come.

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TIPS FOR PLAYING THE GAME

As a classic ZX Spectrum text-based adventure, The House that Wept uses a text parser to interpret your commands. 

While this adds depth and complexity to the gameplay, it can occasionally lead to frustrating moments when the parser doesn’t fully recognize your input. To help you navigate this epic adventure smoothly, here are some essential tips:

Use Full or Longer Words in Commands The game’s parser relies on comparing your input to a large vocabulary of verbs and nouns. To minimize confusion, try to type at least 3 to 6 letters for each word in your command, especially for longer words. For instance:

Instead of "UNLO DOO," type "UNLOCK DOOR".

Instead of "GET TO," type "GET TOKEN". Typing out full words or using more characters reduces the chance of the parser confusing similar terms and responding with “You can’t”, when in reality you could.

Be Patient with the Parser

Even if you have the right idea, the parser might not always interpret partial inputs correctly. If you receive a “You can’t do that” response, it’s often worth rephrasing your command or typing it more fully to ensure accuracy. For example:

If “OPEN BOX” doesn’t work, ( and you have a Key in your inventory ), try “UNLOCK BOX”  first

Experiment with Synonyms

The text parser recognizes many commands, but it may favor certain terms over others. If a specific action doesn’t seem to work, try synonyms. For example:

Instead of “PUSH BUTTON,” you might try “PRESS BUTTON”.

Save Progress Regularly

Text adventures often involve trial and error. Save your game frequently, especially before trying risky actions or exploring new areas. This way, you can backtrack if needed without losing too much progress.

Pay Close Attention to Clues

The game’s descriptions often hint at what actions are possible or necessary. Read all text carefully to pick up on key details and possible verbs or nouns to use in commands.  The House that Wept is a more complex game than you usually find for the ZX Spectrum, in this simple genre of text adventures. Because in this case, there are moments where characters move from one place to the other and so try, "TALK to ..." any character you meet, as characters sometimes give out clues and perform important actions when you speak to them in key moments of the adventure. Some even tell you different information, depending on how far you are in the adventure.

In many locations there are several hidden objects that are important. Some may be inside other objects, so make sure you examine what you find. Many times things you can collect are just that, but don´t forget to examine the environments around you. Also, some actions you do on one location,  open puzzles on another one you've already visited, or will visit. Each puzzle is not locked to each room and many puzzles affect other puzzles which are not located where you currently are.

Have a Notebook to note down useful commands, discovered locations, or puzzle solutions as you play. This will save time and help you track your progress across the sprawling adventure. A list with all the command verbs is provided when you download the game, along with high res versions of the maps, but nevertheless, there´s many ways to draw the maps from each chapter, and you might enjoy illustrating your own too, which I recommend because the maps I did, can be improved if you add some more details to them by making them more personal.

By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be better prepared to tackle the puzzles, dangers, and mysteries of The House that Wept. Remember, the key to success lies in patience and careful input. Good luck, adventurer— The Haunting of Gale’s Rest awaits you!

More games will follow in 2025, so stay tuned.
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GET THE NOVELIZATION of THE HOUSE THAT WEPT

Available as a KINDLE book and Softcover at amazon.com or at your local country amazon store.