Penny Black
Released May 2018
A text only dating simulator, created using BBC Basic for Windows!
96% positive · 103 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Where to get it
Free on Steam
Evaluation
Penny Black is a free-to-play text adventure game released on May 17, 2018 by solo developer Bobby Zeal. The store description is candid about the game's nature: it was a personal hobby project made in spare time using BBC Basic for Windows, described by the developer themselves as "just a simple game I made in my spare time." The description explicitly frames it as "a small step towards making better programs in the future" — language that signals this is a finished, standalone release rather than a platform for ongoing content. The game is fully self-contained, with a defined word count, a set playtime, and multiple endings. There are no DLC listings, no roadmap, no announced updates, and no post-launch developer communications of any kind in the provided data. The game launched as a complete product and has remained unchanged since its release date.
Evidence
Developer describes the game as 'just a simple game I made in my spare time' and 'a small step towards making better programs in the future,' framing it as a finished personal project with no plans for further development.
Game is fully described with a fixed word count (25,000+), playtime (30 minutes to 2 hours), multiple endings, and a 200kb install size — all indicators of a complete, self-contained product.
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Bobby Zeal
Achievements
—
Platform
Windows
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player
About this game
After finally plucking up the courage, you – the nameless protagonist –
asked your school classmate out on a date. Her name was Penny Black,
a girl slightly shorter than most girls her age, with short black hair
and bright blue eyes.
To your surprise, she accepted your proposal! The meeting point was just
outside the Soma Cinema Complex, Saturday at eleven o’clock. This is where
your little adventure… or misadventure begins…
- Penny Black plays similar to a traditional text adventure; type in certain words in order to progress the game.
- More than 25,000 words.
- 30 minutes – 2 hours game time.
- Different endings that are determined throughout certain choices.
- Hidden choices that could either spell success or disaster.
- A massive 200kb to install!
Keep in mind that there is no save function, but it is relatively straightforward enough to remember the choices you made and progress through the story quickly.
Penny Black is just a simple game I made in my spare time using BBC Basic for Windows. Though nothing special, I see it as a small step towards making better programs in the future.
Hope you enjoy the game!
asked your school classmate out on a date. Her name was Penny Black,
a girl slightly shorter than most girls her age, with short black hair
and bright blue eyes.
To your surprise, she accepted your proposal! The meeting point was just
outside the Soma Cinema Complex, Saturday at eleven o’clock. This is where
your little adventure… or misadventure begins…
- Penny Black plays similar to a traditional text adventure; type in certain words in order to progress the game.
- More than 25,000 words.
- 30 minutes – 2 hours game time.
- Different endings that are determined throughout certain choices.
- Hidden choices that could either spell success or disaster.
- A massive 200kb to install!
Keep in mind that there is no save function, but it is relatively straightforward enough to remember the choices you made and progress through the story quickly.
Penny Black is just a simple game I made in my spare time using BBC Basic for Windows. Though nothing special, I see it as a small step towards making better programs in the future.
Hope you enjoy the game!
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 27, 2026
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