What is MIME type "application/x-blorb"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

application/x-blorb is a MIME type for a container file format. It bundles code with multimedia assets like images and sounds used in interactive fiction.

Developers use Blorb files to keep all game resources in one package. This helps in distribution and consistency when running an interactive story. Typical file types include GLB, BLB, GBLORB, ZLB, BLORB, and ZBLORB.

Resource Bundling: Combines game logic and media in one file.
Simplified Distribution: Easier to share complete interactive fiction games.
Compatibility: Recognized by many interactive fiction engines.
Experimental Tag: The "x-" prefix shows it is not a standard but widely used format in its niche.

For more on interactive fiction packaging, see Interactive Fiction on Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.glb, .blb, .gblorb, .zlb, .blorb, .zblorb

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: application/x-blorb

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/x-blorb">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');    
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {    
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/x-blorb');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.glb, .blb, .gblorb, .zlb, .blorb, .zblorb

FAQs

What is the application/x-blorb MIME type used for?

The application/x-blorb MIME type represents a Blorb container file, primarily used in the Interactive Fiction (IF) community. It allows authors to bundle a game story file (compiled code) together with resources like cover art, sound effects, and music into a single, distributable package.

How do I open a file with the .gblorb or .zblorb extension?

You need a specialized Interactive Fiction interpreter to open these files. Popular cross-platform interpreters include Gargoyle, Lectrote, and Zoom. These applications can read the Blorb container and execute the Z-Machine or Glulx story code inside.

Is the .glb extension always an application/x-blorb file?

No, this is a common point of confusion. While Blorb uses .glb historically, modern web development more frequently uses .glb for glTF Binary 3D models (MIME type model/gltf-binary). You must check the file header or source context to determine if it is an interactive fiction game or a 3D model.

How do I configure Apache or Nginx to serve Blorb files correctly?

For Apache, add AddType application/x-blorb .blorb .gblorb .zblorb to your .htaccess or config file. For Nginx, add application/x-blorb blorb gblorb zblorb; inside your types { } block or mime.types file to ensure browsers handle the download correctly.

What is the difference between .gblorb and .zblorb files?

Both use the application/x-blorb container format, but they hold different types of game engines. A .gblorb file contains a Glulx story file (allows larger games, images, and sound), while a .zblorb contains a classic Z-Machine story file.

Can web browsers play application/x-blorb files natively?

Browsers cannot play these files natively; they will usually attempt to download them. To play Blorb files in a browser, developers must embed a web-based interpreter like Parchment or Quixe, which uses JavaScript to read the file and display the game interface.

Why does this MIME type start with 'x-'?

The x- prefix indicates that application/x-blorb is a non-standard or experimental type not officially registered with IANA. However, it is the de facto standard within the Interactive Fiction community for packaging resources with game files.

General FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.