Smith previously developed several commercial adventure games of a similar style, such as Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (1981).

ACS provides a graphical editor for the construction of maps, placement of creatures and items, and menu-based scripting to control game logic.

[2] Tiles may also allow or disallow interaction based on the contents of the player's inventory, or activate if a specific object is dropped on top of the stack.

Stuart stated that the concept was based on his experience writing accounting software, during which he developed a report generator that would create a standalone COBOL program, and that Electronic Arts suggested the name Adventure Construction Set.

Approximately 50 games were submitted and winners chosen for three categories: The supplementary manual included with the Amiga port mentions, "If you're an ACS fanatic you can join the Adventure Construction Set Club.

Orson Scott Card criticized Adventure Construction Set's user interface, stating that it "was designed by the Kludge Monster from the Nethermost Hell".