"All the Grues The History·of -Part II That Fit, We Print" ID4t Ntw lnrli Wimta See Page 3

VOL. 4 ... No. 2 SPRING 1985 INTERMOLECULAR EDITION ™: The Story of Your Dreams

Festeron's not a bad place to live. ·Evil One. The Magick Shoppe It's a little seaside town with a owner's beloved cat has been kid­ picturesque church, a charming napped, and the ransom is an old-fashioned movie theater and a enchanted stone called sparkling bay. There's that Wishbringer . famous tourist attraction, When you leave the Magick Pleasure Wharf, and the Free Shoppe, after agreeing to help its Public Library with its collection proprietress find her cat, the of historic artifacts. There's even charming world of Festeron has a miniature lighthouse. disappeared, familiar people and The only thing Festeron places gone or twisted into doesn't have is a couple of sinister forms. Goldfish have dragons or princesses to spice turned into piranhas, trolls guard things up. But that's okay. You bridges, grues lurk in caves, and spend a lot of time daydreaming, your little post office has become creating a Magick world that you a fortress-like tower. Overseeing can' visit whenever you want. this skewed environment is the The only problem is your boss, Evil One and her omnipresent Mr. Crisp, who always shows up henchmen, the Boot Patrol. when you're just about to polish As you venture through the Included in evezy Wishbringer package are a sealed envelope containing the off the dragon. grotesque realm of the Evil One, ransom note and a glowing Wishbringer stone. Mr. Crisp doesn't spice up your you'll befriend mythic creatures life - he's more like a thorn than and evade the traps that have a dragon. But as mail clerk, you been set for you. And, like the do what he tells you to do, Magick sword of your daydreams, Mail Order: whether it's selling a stamp or the Wishbringer stone will be delivering a letter. And, strangely there to give you help when you Fulfillment Beyo.nd enough, it's the letter he asks you need it. to deliver one day that makes According to legend, Wish­ your life in good old Festeron as bringer holds seven Magick Your Wildest Dreams exciting as your dreams. wishes. The wishes, which are Having trouble finding StGicross™ We have moved our fulfillment listed in The Legend of Wish­ Here at , we like to InvisiClues'" or Enchantei" for service to a different company tum fantasies into reality. In bringer booklet included in the your Osborne? Many of our (note the new address) and we are package, . may each be used only Wishbringer, our newest readers have made use of our confident that their service will introductory-level fantasy, you once. To invoke a wish, you must direct order service. Every game be both accurate and speedy. have both the Wishbringer stone are the Festeron mail clerk seek­ and InvisiClues booklet we make (Most orders should be processed ing the extraordinary in the land and a specified object in hand. For is available by calling our toll-free and shipped within 24 hours of of the picturesque. example, "LUCK will bring good order number, (800) 262-6868, or receipt. That rivals even the old fortune, if ye hold a Horseshoe by mailing your order to: Zork Users Group!) The special-delivery letter Mr. and the Stone in thy possession. 11 Crisp asks you to take to Ye Olde Infocom, Inc. We apologize for any inconven­ Magick Shoppe turns out to be a ... Wishbtinger P.O. Box 478 ience our previous fulfillment ransom note from the mysterious continued on page 5 Cresskill, NJ 07626 service may have caused you and assure you that from now on no Unfortunately, in the past effort will be spared to provide some of the orders were mixed-up you with the service you expect Don't Stick This in Your Ear ... or slow to be processed. and deserve. B Admit it. You were excited when with an official Infocom ''I GOT you first got your very own int~r­ THE BABEL FISH" t-shirt. active fiction version of The These 100% cotton t-shirts are InfoNews Roundup Hitchhiker's Guide to the black with the same bright letter­ Galaxy'", weren't you? You can't ing as the front of your Hitch­ Party Tricks ring out. Moments later, a body is fool us - we know you wore hiker's game package. They come found, shot twice in the chest, your peril-sensitive sunglasses in 4 sizes (S, M, L, and XL), and A sumptuous mansion in Las near the indoor swimming pool. while driving, and nobody c;ould are available directly from In­ Vegas, once owned by Elvis Examination reveals that the vic­ get you to take your "DON'T focom (you may use the enclosed (Presley, not Flathead) . A party tim has a knife wound in his PANIC" button off for weeks - order form, or call our toll-free with nearly a thousand guests, back; yet strangulation is in­ you even wore it in the shower number [800-262-6868]) . The sipping drinks and discussing dicated by marks around his (painful, but it was worth it) . price? Just $7.95 . And considering everything from politics to local neck. A red drink nearby turns Now there's a safer, more socially how excited you must be about scandals. A band serenading the out to be a banana daiquiri with acceptable way to show your ex­ this, we're sure you'll want two crowds in the ballroom. red food coloring added. citement about Hitchhiker's, or three! B Suddenly a scream, and shots .. . InfoNews continued on page 5 PAGE2 THE NEW ZORK TIMES SPRIN"G 1985

Dear Editor: Facts" column. But fortunately, Ode to a Player MAIL BAG I just received my Winter 1985 this omission is but a very minor Planetfall is a wonderful game, edition of The New Zork Times, (and hopefully temporary) flaw in After I played it, I wasn't the To "Max the Knife" Dornbrook: and, needless to say, I was ex­ your terrific newsletter and line same. You know, Max, back when cited. I look forward to each and of . The Stellar Patrol is invincible, you were running the Zork Users every issue. But as I read this one, James Funkhouser With their ships made of steel Group (ahh, for the good old I saw the most distressing and lead. days) you were a real down to headline I have ever read: "Max Their motto is: To Boldly Go earth guy. But since you were Sacks Yak Facts. 11 How could you Dear Info-Folks or editor (as you Where Angels Fear To Tread. hired at Infocom and given a do this?? If your defense is the please}: Ode to a Zork Player cushy job as Product Manager survey mentioned, I must remind Recently, upon arrival of your The roses have lost their luster, (sneer) you seem to have forgot­ you that the average Zorker is not Winter '85 issue of The New ten about the little people (i.e., like the average person in a And I have lost my love. Zork Times, my wife and I were The heavens have lost their the type of people that Compu­ magazine survey. Some people surprised by the scathing article, News (double-sneer] ignores in its actually rely upon yak facts for moonlight, "Max Sacks Yak Facts". We were And all the stars above. polls). And what the little people their very existence. I therefore shocked! I guess we fall into the want is yaks. Back in the Fall believe that I speak for many The sky is plagued with lonely 0.1% who like to read "a darkness, 1984 issue when you started other NZT readers when I say significant amount about yaks." printing Yak Facts, I hoped that THE WORLD NEEDS MORE The orchids rot with rue. It seemed so long ago that we The world is dark and you might come down off your YAK FACTS! Perhaps even an were delighted by these Yak Facts high horse long enough to do interactive yak game is in order. meaningless, in the Fall '84 issue. The Mrs. I've been eaten by a . something to correct the severe To demonstrate the importance and I were sure that the new issue paucity of yak news in computer of the yak in daily life, I have in­ would hold more of these won­ -Jared A. Sorensen gaming newsletters. But then you cluded these facts that need drous facts, only to be slapped in (sixth grade) go and cancel the Yak Facts. It's desperately to be more widely the face by your yak-hating still not too late, Max, and "if you known: editors. Beneath the rug my adventure began correct this grievous error the lit­ 1) The typical yak is much, So as a final farewell to those The way was fraught with tle people may just go back to much larger than the typical good ale days of yak (?), we offer danger and reward calling you Mike. housecat (and much, much more these final bits of yak facts: Vanquish a troll and find the On the lighter side, I would useful). Did you know that .. . like to congratulate everyone at . . . Flood Control Darn #3 is 3$ shadow man Infocom for their successes. So far 2) Well-instructed yaks can be tall as 42% large bull yaks. A score of treasure found, safely I have played eleven games and used for such purposes as . . . a good yak can be purchas­ stored. have enjoyed them all very much, transportation, grinding coffee, ed for less than 200 zorkmids. Unto the Wizard's realm I then except that a yak doesn't appear and dragging large rocks through . .. the word "yak" can be did go, in a single one! Anyway, keep up marshy fields . worth up to 30 points in Scrab­ Melting the great dragon to the good work. 3) If purchased for business ble™ (sorry, this is from the pre­ gain the key. Mike Zulauf purposes, yaks can become tax Zork days) . Turn out the light and follow exemptions. W. Scott Kardel the dim glow P.S. Please print this in The New These are just a few of the im­ Open the door, a well fought victory! Zork Times; this must be portant things that your readers P.S . Why are there no yaks in the brought out in the open! could benefit from in the "Yak topiary? ... Mail Bag continued on page 8 ID4t Ntw lnrli Wimts

Managing Editor Jennifer "Jen" Fine Puzzle Editor Steven "Stevo" Meretzky How would you like to join a team of professionals whose claim to fame is quality? Wishbringer Editor Elizabeth "Eliz" Langosy lnfocom is growing by leaps and bounds. and we need professionals in product Sports Editor I see no sports editor here development. sales. marketing. testing and administration. Photo Editor Paul "Grossboy" Gross If you·re looking for a brand new opportunity with proven success. consider a Cartoon Editor Jeff "Jeffrey" O'Neill career with lnfocom. But move fast . . . while we're still in the process of building. History Editor Tim "Chomper" Anderson Our business and game software company offers excellent benefits including health. dental and life insurance. and tuition reimbursement. Editing Editor Jon " Caesar's" Palace Publisher Michael "Stan" Dornbrook To find out about job opportunities at lnfocom. please send your resume to Donna Mccarron. lnfocom. Inc. . 125 CambridgePark Drive. Cambridge. MA Production Manager Angela "The Whip" Raup 02140. We are an · equa l opportunity employer. ~ 1985 lnfocom, Inc., 125 CambridgePark Drive, Cambridge, MA 02140

Zork is a registered trademark of Infocom, Inc. Enchanter, Sorcerer, Starcross, Suspended, Planetfall, Deadline, The Witness, Suspect, Infidel. , Cutthroats, Wish­ lnFDCDR\ bringer, InvisiClues and are trademarks of Infocom, Inc. The Hitchhil

1111111111111----- by Tim Anderson the net. After we made the I I necessary software modifica­ $$ 1 ' tions, of course, many copies When last seen, Zork®was a small I I 11 11 I could be made; a mailing list of game (probably slightly more 'II Zork owners developed, so they than half the size of the final II I I could get whatever updates mainframe version) that ran on I -11-- I appeared. one computer. Although it was '' 11 _____ 11 only six weeks old, and had never Although people could get run­ been advertised, it had a relative­ ___ 111 nable Zorks, they couldn't get ly large user community from all I II I sources. We tried two approaches over the country. In some ways it to protecting the sources was better than the classic I (remember, there was no protec­ Adventure at this time, but most­ ______// ''------tion of any sort on DM) : they ly it was the next game to come I $ I ::: ::: ::: :;: ' $ ' were normally kept encrypted; and we patched the system to along, and it wasn't even the only I I ...... -·~ ..... contender. protect the directory where we I II 'I\ ' \ kept the sources (named CFS, for The characters: MIT-DM, a I I I I either "Charles F. Stanley" or PDP-10 running ITS; MDL (aka I I I I ' ' "Computer Fantasy and Simula­ Muddle), a language that ran only " __ l ______!ZS**!Zl ______I ___ " tion''). This worked pretty well, on PDP-lOs; , Bruce " ' ' but was finally beaten by a Daniels, , and Tim I system hacker from Digital: us­ Anderson, intrepid implement­ ing some archaic ITS documenta­ ers; and assorted net randoms. ' !Z$::::::iZ:£ ~ion (there's never been any other July 1977 saw two major addi­ kind), he was able to figure out tions to the game, the last for J. FIERPONT FLATHEAD how to modify the running several months (we weren't ex­ CHAIRMAN operating system. Being clever, actly hired to write the thing, he was also able to figure out how after all) . The first of these was our patch to protect the source another BKD special: Bruce occasionally appear. The first of No more sections were added directory worked. Then it was didn't write much code, but he these was in the volcano: if the to the game for several months just a matter of decrypting the was willing to design problems. player got trapped in the upper after July, but it continued to im­ sources, but that was soon re­ We went to him, and asked for a reaches of the volcano by losing prove. In addition, it finally mov­ duced to figuring out the key particularly nasty section; the his balloon, after a few moves a ed to machines other than DM, we'd used. Ted had no trouble result was the coal mine. His volcano gnome would appear and thus greatly expanding the getting machine time; he just design was originally nastier than offer freedom in exchange for a number of players. found a new TOPS-20 machine the final implementation, since treasure. We were just being nice; Although Muddle ran primarily that was undergoing final testing, the maze was just about as horri­ most players weren't allowed to on DM, a version for TENEX (the and started a program that tried ble as the original one in the save their games, so they had no most popular PDP-10 operating every key until it got something game; it got simplified due to way of backing out if they made system on the ARPAnet) had ex­ that looked like text. After less popular demand. The problems such a mistake. The gnome isted for some time; the TENEX than a day of crunching, he had a were improving in quality, and allowed them to keep playing, version could, with some minor readable copy of the source. We the coal mine maze was a late ex­ albeit with no chance of getting modifications, run on TOPS-20 had to concede that anyone ample of making things hard by all the points. as well. We finally succumbed to who'd go to that much trouble making them tedious. one of the requests for a copy of The volcano section was Even before the volcano sec­ Zork when we were given an ac­ .. . History of Zork Marc's second vehicle implemen­ tion, we'd talked about a problem count on a TOPS-20 machine on continued on page 4 tation, but is perhaps more that involved flying; Dave had a noteworthy for the loving por­ preference for something with an i------=-v----v---- v--­1------1 traits of Lord Dimwit Flathead eagle, and its aerie, but we could ---v----v----v---- I the Excessive that decorated the never figure out how to restrict ---v----v- LORD < coin and stamp found in the sec­ things enough - it wouldn't do \ \\111\\111 01w.o111' I tion. The river (see Part I) and to have a parallel map of the game \ 111\\ ___ \ n11n-1EA.O I volcano sections, in addition to viewed from the air. Once again, > 1111 cc' < vehicles, required a better con­ we worried about restraining a \ I I\ C ' \ cept of time: both the boat and new concept, so the balloon had \ I\ I I ,- I the balloon moved more or less no way of leaving the volcano. > 111 '---- < on their own, and the volcano re­ And once again we were bitten by I \ \ ' OUR \ quired the use of explosives and a new concept. When the player I 1-----,' fxcessiV~ I fuses. Marc added a clock used the explosives in the wrong > I Leader < daemon, which processed a place, and didn't get out of the \ I ' \ \ queue of events that would hap­ way, he'd end up with 20,000 \ I \ I pen some fixed number of moves pounds (or was it tons?) of rock > I < later. This handled, in addition to on his head. This made a certain \ 3 lorkmidS I the movement of the vehicles, amount of sense in the under­ I G.u.E· po51~GE A----A--- the fuse, the lantern burning out, ground section, but not out in the > A----A---- 1 A----A---- and the mysterious gnomes that forest. ...______A----~A~-~------' PAGE4 THE NEW ZORK TIMES SPRING 1985

The History of Zork assumed this would be impossi­ tually started calling it Dungeon. hide our Zorks under a bushel. ble: Muddle is very (oops, very) (Dave admits to suggesting the continued from page 3 different from FORTRAN, and new name, but that's only a The next section that was add­ much more complicated, and minor sin.) When Bob the lunatic ed was intended to be the last: we'd used most of its features in released his FORTRAN version to after a player had accumulated all deserved it. This led to some designing Zork. The guy who did the DEC users' group, that was the points in the game, he could other things later on. it was mostly a hardware person, the name he used. I'm sure many play the End Game, designed so perhaps he didn't know what people have noticed a curious largely by Dave. This became the Players hadn't been able to section of Zork ill with the save their Zorks because the .he was up against. At any rate, similarity between the Dungeon shortly after the Great Blizzard of game they played on their friend­ Dungeon Master, and at the time method we used at first took was certainly the most involved, several hundred thousand bytes '78 he had a working version, in­ ly IBM 4341 and the they itially for PDP-lls. Since it was played on their equally friendly and hardest (as it should have for each save, and even on a time­ been) thing in the game. The im­ sharing system that was ex­ in FORTRAN, it could run on IBM PC; now you know why. practically anything, and by now plementation was, if anything, cessive. Marc, around this time, more involved than the problem. invented a new way of saving that it has. Fortunately for us, a certain company (which shall remain Less than two months later, cut the size down to something though, Marc had come up with more reasonable, with the slight Unfortunately, at some point nameless) decided to claim that it in the preceding year we (no one had trademark rights to the name something worse, probably dur­ disadvantages that any new ing a boring anatomy lecture. The rooms or objects added to the old ----· bank section has probably been game would break existing save ...---'"------...,,...,~ ------'·.,.-.------. fully deciphered by fewer people files, and that it never quite _.,------~-d 2or1<.miC a n d \. than anything else in the game; worked right anyway. However, even those who solve it on their it did ):Ilake it easier to play the I nGo 1 \'I oMu1SD S ' 1 a 1 D R ~ ' own don't usually understand game, and we still had the silly I ' what was going on. I can only say notion of being nice to our users. I \\\\\\\ ' that it makes sense if you under­ I \\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\ I stand it. Fall '77 saw two major addi­ I 1\\\\ "" \\\ ' tions to the game, as Marc took I . \\\ "" oa \\\ we iru~t For some time, we'd been get­ another break from medical \\ co \\\ 'I ting bug reports, fan mail, and school (yes, fans, he did graduate \ \ \\I <.< ) \\ I suggestions for new problems \ on time), and Dave got into \ \ <------I from all sorts of people. We were coding in a big way. The Alice in \ I ' beginning to run a little short on Wonderland section, complete \ ------\ I ideas anyway, and one of the with its magic bucket and robot, \ '\ --- c 1::t.ne30 -- I ideas we got was very good. Dur­ was installed. The robot was the . t r - - ing a lengthy dinner at Roy's, our rd Oi~~it zorK~rs - I first "actor," an object that could LC a o favorite Chinese restaurant, we ' ' I perform some of the same tasks ' -- ~elOV~ ~ worked out the details of the the player could. The style of ad­ t: 122 (j.u.t· ... I jewel-encrusted egg, purple prose dress was familiar: ''ROBOT, ' -· courtesy of Dave. Many people TAKE THE CAKE. 11 The imple­ ' ------on the net had long since solved ___ ...... ______--- ~ mentation of this required ' ------the game, but went back in and another change in the game's ' --- did any new problems that came flow of control, and changes to along; one of them had played anything else that one could will now admit to suggesting the Dungeon, as a result of certain DD with Dave, and called him up reasonably talk to. idea) had decided to change the games that it sold. We didn't about a day after the egg was an­ name of the game. Zork was too .agree (and MIT had some very ex­ nounced. "I've gotten the egg The first version of fighting much of a nonsense word, not pensive lawyers on retainer who opened, but I·assume you losers was added about the same time. descriptive of the game, etc., etc., agreed with us), but it encouraged have some nonsense where you Dave, an old Dungeons and etc. Silly as it sounds, we even- us to do the right thing, and not do something with the canary Dragons player, didn't like the completely predictable ways of ------<>---(>- \ killing creatures off. In the ------p1R~----- ; o o o o\, original game, for example, one ------ROUND E~ 0 0 0 0 killed a troll by throwing a knife -----~ uNDERG l 0 \ at him; he would catch the knife ------G~EA 1 0 \ and gleefully eat it (like anything ----o-----0 \ else you threw at him), but I ; o 0 0 o oH'·"n1 \I\ o:03321440 \ hemorrhage as a result. Dave add­ 'l 0 0 ooo \\\\\\\\\\\\\ ,, \ ed basically the full complexity of DD-style fighting, with different '1 0 \\ ao- \\ i,iE 't)~US1 \ strengths for different weapons, \ \\ -00)) \\/ \ 1 wounds, unconsciousness, and ' ,,, \\ 0 1 death. Each creature had its own \ lN FR06S \\ --:::: \ 1 0 set of messages, so a fight with \ \ /I 0 flathead l 0 0 0 O\ the thief (who uses a stiletto) \ B30~3t.1440 ,,FLA1h~:o L1reasurer l 0 0 ooo\ would be very different from a fight with the troll and his axe. \ series l 0 ' l 0 0 11qGUE rork~idS ------As a result of the purloined ' 1 0 o O 0 uundred Royal ------sources at DEC, a lunatic there ' 1 0 0 0 0 one n ------decided to translate Zork into ' 1 0 0 ------FORTRAN. We had always ------~-~------'----- 'I -- SPRING 1985 THE NEW ZORK TIMES PAGES

----v·-- .. . InfoNews 1985, issue, you saw the article v----v---- \ about Infocom games in the ---~---- " ( continued from page 5 "Picks & Pans" section (we ---- G were, you remember, a "pick"). I ---- ' lJ \ Everyone at the party immedi­ You read that (in the reviewer's ) ( ately becomes a suspect. Other words) "there's a refreshing side I \ E: \ ' guests' arguments with the vic­ to interactive fiction: It lets you \ \ \ tim are remembered and denied. use your imagination, instead of ) ( ---___ ) ) ( \ p Clues, motives, and accusations reflexes, and stimulates you to (-- are exchanged. build pictures in your mind, in­ \ (--) ___ ' ' 0 \ ) Is this another Infocom game, stead of leaving them in flat s < where you play the detective or dimensions on the screen." Info­ I I ' ' t \ the dupe? Is Sergeant Duffy com is glad you saw that article, ) I I ------\-\ waiting in the wings? Can you so it doesn't have to tell you \-\--- I \ \ ~ < buy InvisiClues to figure this one '\ \ about it. \ \ -~(-)-- \ \ 9 out? Finally, this headline from the ) e < Hardly. The party was hosted November 22, 1984, Salt Lake \ ' \ ,,-,, \ ' \ by Infocom (who else?), to pro­ City Tribune: "New Software By mote its most recent mystery ) \ --\ \---\-\ Infocom Isn't Boring." Oh well; '\-\- - I I < game, Suspect':" Retailers, you can't please everyone. distributors, and lots of press \ I '-- \ ) were in town tu attend the Wave Bye-Bye, Junior ' 'I ------' - \ < January 1985 CES (the Consumer \ - t:m.l•C• \ Electronics Show, not the Con­ A very, very long time ago (Spring ) ------< vention of Enchanters and 1984), Infocom announced its ------Sorcerers) . With the help of a first ''junior-level'' game: \ t=ditor New York troupe of actors named Seastolk.et;' an adventure in the ) tradition of Jules Verne's 20,000 d V&OOOSt - < Murder To Go, Inc., Infocom oonal 1 0 daY staged a crime and let the party Leagues Under the Sea . Sea­ \ Spe1un1<.er \ stalker was a success. People ,... ___ _ guests become participants in ) ~--- solving the murder. magazine (remember them?) call­ Sound like fun? It was; it was ed Seastolk.er "a first-class in­ .______/\ - ., _._,,-=------'~----"---~ troduction," and said "Though '-~- almost as much fun as Suspect. pitched to the junior set (9 and and the songbird.'' Dave, no fool, mainframe update was created in Kudos up), Seastolk.er can just as easily said "Cough, cough, ahem, of January of '81. No new puzzles enthrall an oldster." course,'' and immediately went were added because none of the Sure, you've heard it a million But some people didn't like the off and added the brass bauble. implementers had time or in­ times: Infocom is the best. Well, designation "junior-level." It clination, and because we had no be warned: you're about to hear it sounded like it was for children The remaining puzzles, the more space available: at the time, again. only. Adults didn't want a kid's Royal Zork Puzzle Museum and we were limited to a megabyte of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the game; in fact, kids didn't want a the palantirs, were added in the memory, and we had used it all Galaxy has been called "without kid's game. So Infocom went late summer and fall of 1978. The up. The first article about Zork doubt the best adventure ever back to the (all-text) drawing puzzle was designed (several appeared in April of '79, and at­ seen on a computer." Who said boards. times) primarily by Bruce, who in tracted a great deal of interest; that? Not Binky O'Leary (he Introducing (drurnroll, please) theory was back trying to finish some of this may have been hated the game) . Not Mozart (he "introductory level"! Infocom's his dissertation. Finding the because we offered to give people died before he could figure out first introductory-level game is minimum number of moves re­ the game (if they didn't already the babel fish problem) . No, it Wishbringer, a new fantasy story quired to solve it was a popular have it), and gave them parts of was some little-known start-up in which your home town be­ pastime among dedicated Zorkers the sacred sources as well. newspaper called The Times of comes a living nightmare. It's not for a while. London, on March 12, 1985. just for kids: Wishbringer is a Infocom was incorporated in Cheers! great introduction to interactive The last (lousy) point was a 1979 by various people from the Admit it: you read People fiction for evezyone from age 9 tribute to the final point in the DM group, including Marc, magazine. You read it at home; up. So tell your friends - whe­ original Adventure, which in­ Dave, and me. It was not founded you read it at the dentist's office; ther they're macho linebackers, volved leaving a particular object to sell Zork; rather, it was found­ you read it while waiting on (or adventurous grandmothers, or in a particular room for no par­ ed to give group members some­ in) the check-out line at the ticular reason. When we first where to go from MIT. Marc and supermarket. So in the March 18, ... InfoNews continued on page 8 solved Adventure in 1977, Bruce Joel Berez (both exiled to Pitts­ finally figwed this out by using a burgh) determined that it would machine-language debugger on be possible to make Zork run on ... Wishbringer the running game (since Adven­ something cheaper than the continued from page 1 Festeron and a sealed special­ ture was not written in machine $400,000 PDP-10, and the com­ delivery letter (the same one Mr. language, this was not easy) . The pany eventually went along. See You can solve all the puzzles in Crisp asks you to deliver at the major difference between that the next NZT for further details. and our version (a stamp worth Wishbringer by logic alone. When start of the story). You even get One Lousy point) is that it would In the meantime, we still get used in this way, the story is a your very own glow-in-the-dark be harder to find ours without the requests for hints on the main­ challenge for experienced interac­ Wishbringer stone. source of the game. frame Zork (sometimes it's called tive fiction fans. First-time Wishbringer was written by Dungeon, and often it's running players will appreciate having the , a new member of The last puzzle was added in on something other than a Magick wishes to help them out. Infocom's in-house group of February of '79. We (mainly I, at PDP-10) . The most recent re­ Along with The Legend of interactive fiction writers. It will this point) kept fixing bugs for quest for a copy came in on April Wishbringer, each Wishbringer retail for $39.95 for most almost two more years - the last 1, but I think it was serious. n ·package includes a postal map of systems. n PAGE6 THE NEW ZORK TIMES SPRING 1985

,• I

Two assistants pore over an exciting new discovery: papyrus scrolls Doctor Peep supervises a crew of local diggers. depicting writings and artwork. Could these be the work of emus?

Searching for the Relics of the Emu

This month, New Zork Times photographer Paul Gross followed Doctor Lyman Izyuk Feep during a field trip to Tasmania. Doctor Feep is an expert on the emu, a flightless bird which was exterminated by European settlers hundreds of years ago. He travelled "down under" in order to research his theory, which claims that before their extinction, Tasmanian emus had achieved a tool-based civilization equal to that of medieval man.

Sunset over the stark plains of the Ben Lamond plateau.

Diggers seek shade from the scorching noontime sun. Doctor Peep, surrounded by several guards and his therapist, boards the plane back for the ..return trip to America. SPRING 1985 THE NEW ZORK TIMES PAGE?

After dinner, crew members quaff flagons of "qisslepou", a local ale. Professor Edward Wilsonfoot, from the Archaeology Department of the University of Sydney, exchanges heated words with Doctor Peep.

A poisonous asp, one of the dangers of the treacherous Tasmanian moun­ tain ranges that the archaeological crew must constantly be on watch for .

A surprise visitor to the encampment, a full-grown kangaroo, startles In the midst of an excavation, Doctor Peep (wearing the black sombrero) Melinda Peep. points to the outline of the walls of a fortified emu temple, visible in the photo as dark, linear markings in the soil. PAGES IBE NEW ZORK TIMES SPRING 1985 Music From The Great Underground Empire (reprinted from U.S. News and Dungeon Report, 9/18/951)

Because of the recent craze of sonatas for Trombuoy and Hearts Club Band. Their songs tant rock musicians of the GUE treasure-hunting that seems to Danvictorhorn. include "I Get By With a Little were a group named Jefferson Bucket (later re-named Jefferson have swept through the remnants The most popular music Hint From My Friends" ("Would Balloon) and a cute robot named of the Great Underground Empire among the masses of the GUE you be mad if I showed you a (GUE), most people seem to was a type known as rock music, bug/ Would you stand up and log Pink Floyd. For the royal elite, more associate the GUE only with so-called because it was produced out on me?") and "Sandy Cave" classical styles of music were in jewels and gold, and forget that it by banging together rocks (which · ("Sandy Cave is in my ears and in vogue. The most famous of these was once a thriving kingdom of were left lying all over the place my eyes/ There beneath the works is the "Toccata and Fugue people, replete with traditions, following the construction of the Frigid River skies"). and Theme and Variations, Opus culture, and art. caverns and tunnels of the GUE) A later addition to the GUE's and also because listeners No. 69105" by Johann Sebastian For example, almost every rock music scene was a group Flathead, co=issioned by his frequently stuffed rocks in their book or classroom course on the called Men at Zork, whose hit cousin, Lord Dimwit the Ex­ ears due to the loud volumes song ''Down Under'' revitalized cessive. The piece was only per­ GUE ignores its fine musical involved. heritage. This heritage goes back interest in the medium ("So you formed once in its entirety, in to the very earliest years of the . The origins of the GUE's rock come from a land down under I 787. Legend has it that several GUE. Zilbo ill, the last ruler of music can be traced to the legen­ Where trolls kill and thieves members of the 98,000-piece the Entharion Dynasty, who is dary singer Elvis Flathead, whose plunder''). Another popular rock royal orchestra, chorus, corps de most known for his invention of first concert in 841 propelled him artist was Billy Troll. (Editor's ballet, artillery battery, fireworks the card game Double Fanucci, is to stardom. However, the most Note: As a matter of fact , In­ brigade, and smoke effects crew also the inventpr of the brass famous rock musicians were un­ focom President Troll Berez is failed to survive the eighty-seven Trombuoy, and wrote several doubtedly Sgt. Duffy's Lonely named after him.) Other impor- day ordeal. B

... Mail Bag Zorkers are great, Zorkers are I am not giving up, Master, lines of verse, cool, you'll see For, without Zork, life would be continued from page 2 Zorkers know not to swim in the With the trouble you've caused much worse! pool. me, -Eric Larson Zorkers are clever, sneaky, and You won't get off free! (age 16) The quest however is not at an sly, I now leave these meaningful B end, And only Zorkers know why . .. The Dungeon Master waits with When to come in, when to go clever tricks, out, ... InfoNews members. Meet a real live Dorn­ Defeat him and with none do What to do in case of a bout beast; call Marc Blank "Mark you contend, Between trolls, thieves, dragons, continued from page 5 Blanc" to his face; learn all sorts Deep in the heart contentment and bats, of Infotrivia; hobnob with the does transfix. And how to use the old place game writers, the Infopeople, and mats just someone looking for a your fellow fans. Interested? Thus the end of my odyssey challenge and a thrill. draws nigh We travel the land, the water, What else would you like to see I finish proud of deed and and air, or do? Let us know, and we'ffsee spirits high. And rely on intelligence in case New Caverns what we can do. Write to: Info­ of a scare. Convention, 125 CambridgePark -John Betz We do many things, no matter Recent improvements in lighting . Drive, Cambridge, MA 02140. the risk, technology have reduced the And to think this great world is number of Infoworkers eaten by 'Tis sad I am just on a disk. grues. Infocom thus needs more Stan's Ban Stands That my new disc spacious caverns to accom­ We have conquered the thief, "The New Zork Times is a Has ceased to boot modate its growing staff. A new dragon, and troll, specialty newsletter, not a high­ Oh tsk Oh tsk cavern has been found, at 125 But our final challenge will be class magazine.'' So said Infocom CambridgePark Drive, Cam­ I used it once my goal. Product Manager Michael ''Stan'' bridge, MA 02140. Mapping of On Christmas Day To reach the master, as he sits in Dornbrook, defending his con­ Now it won't work the new cavern has not yet been his seat, troversial decision to keep yak completed, but early reports in­ When I would play The man, all this time, I've news out of the respected dicate a large number of oddly­ If I have caused wanted to meet. Cambridge-based journal. angled rooms. The offices of The tribulation Will he praise me, slay"me or Despite public outcry, protest let­ By careless disk drive chairman Al Vezza and president call me a rookie? ters, and a petition from Operation Joel Berez are rumored to have Will he reach in his pocket and WOOLLY (Women Of Outer Lat­ Then I must pay been designed by Lord Dimwit give me a cookie via Loving Yaks), The New Zork The dollars five the Excessive. For the very hard job of reaching Times will continue its policy of If once again his house? no yak facts. "Yak fans will just I wish to strive Will he kick me out? Turn me have to make do with the yearly To beat Suspended Zork Convention into a mouse? yak issue of Sports illustrated,'' With aplomb I guess time will tell in this Infocom may be hosting a Zork said Stan. (Actually, Michael I NEED THE HELP OF INFOCOM situation Convention later this year, open Dornbrook's nickname is I just hope I can stand all the to all adventurers, sleuths, "Mike" or "Max." But "Stan" -Bryan Hubbard frustration! wizards, and Stellar Patrol made a better headline.) B SPRING 1985 THE NEW ZORK TIMES PAGE9 Starcrossed Adventurer Queries Author

Gentlemen: video tape recorder would have I would like to make some been of more interest to him, if comments on your games. The he had deciphered speech, and first one I bought was Suspended'," had been listening to broadcasts. I and I was quite taken with it. The don't know - is it easier to only modification I could suggest decipher broadcasts of pictures or would be to fill the cavern with of speech? helium in order to protect the As for trading the space suit for electric circuits from corrosion, the brown rod, I suggest you read and to have the protagonist sit­ Chagnon's account of the ting at a keyboard, and of course, Yanomarno, if you think it would unable to leave his chamber. Just be easy to trade with a people a little detail to lend veri­ who have been long isolated. I similitude. also doubt if a single group is However, I was quite unhappy viable, as contrasted to several with Starcross. In the first place, groups divided into territories. I there seems to be no logic to the admit my view is gloomy in view fourth bump. If you have read of modem weapons, but that Rendezvous With Rama, you doesn't prove it untrue. recall that three was a key number to the builders of Rama. Let me take the physics next. If Perhaps the builders of the ar­ one were to float from the center tifact in Starcross had four of a rotating cylinder in a fingers, but how am I to know vacuum, one would certainly not when I tell the bat to take the "KICK FLOYD" instead of that? accelerate. There is no centrifugal parchment scroll. After all, bats "WAIT" in the elevator and the have claws, but the remark, Let me take the biology next. force. One would move to the shuttle. "You're batty," had enough wit An exoskeleton is useful to retain outer surface at the same speed at I've only gotten to 205 in to be unobjectionable. For exam­ body fluids for Sml!ll animals,_ which he left the axis. If the Sorceret! so it is satisfactory as ple, you- might say, "The mouse which have a large surface to radial speed of the cylinder were far as difficulty, and I've liked it won't do anything until you get volume ratio. However, an exo­ 250 km per hour, the effect so far. However, Staicross ir­ off his back! 11 or perhaps skeleton has the drawback that would be the same as jumping on ritated me enough so that I doubt something a little more witty. the owner must molt in order to a very large flatbed truck moving if I shall buy any more of your After all, as Chesterton remark­ grow. Hence, I think you will at 250 km an hour. However, I games. ed, one can believe in . the im­ find animals with endoskeletons fail to see any reason why the ar­ possible, but not in the im­ Thank you for your attention are better suited for ecological tifact should rotate at a speed probable. Father Brown cited the in this matter. niches requiring large size. designed to give one earth gravi­ case of Gladstone offering Queen Unless, of course, you believe in ty. If we assume a radial speed of John Wilson Victoria a cigar, but I can't creation and not evolution. Also, 60 km an hour, or about one believe I need a theory to sit on an how could you tell that Gurthark quarter earth gravity, then of object the size of a footstool. Of was a mammal? I take it you course, anyone landing on a flat P.S. Let me note that the rule of course, the edges of the container didn't milk him. metal surface would be knocked ethology I mentioned above is arsy varsy when he landed, but I on the mouse's back might be probably the result of evolution if Also, I think it is a general rule imagine one could make such a sharp. Another point - why does the behaviour is inborn. When of ethology that animals will hide jump. Of course, once one reach­ the program recognize the word one animal of a species shows its their weapons when they intend ed radial speed of sixty km, one "planter"? Of course, I never ob­ weapons, then another must be to appease. A sea gull will tum its would feel as if one were in a tained the red rod, so perhaps I prepared to fight or submit. I beak away, and, while a man quarter gravity. I assume no am missing something. don't think much of Freud's learns the action, he raises his structures on the rim, but a flat universal symbols, but I imagine empty hands. A careful observa­ After all, the difficulties in surface. Starcross require a rather any animal that was the product .. tion of Gurthark would have of evolution would not show its shown, I think, that he was wav­ Of course, a ray gun has no specialized knowledge of spheri­ recoil. Read Earthman 's Burden cal coordinates, and nautical teeth as a gesture of friendship. If ing his palps, in a manner I am correct in my inference that reminiscent of a male jumping by Poul Anderson and Gordon directions. I would imagine Dickson. Of course, we must anyone with that knowledge the red rod is to choose between spider semaphoring a female to oxygen, methane, and ammonia, placate her, and that he was not conserve momentum; we don't would also spot howlers. want it to become extinct; and you are asking for a player who grinding his teeth at all. Planetfalf" was campy enough has a fairly wide knowledge of Moreover, surely a civilized radiation has no rest mass, and so that I suppose one can't really no momentum. science to accept a view of gentleman like Gurthark would criticize it. Also, I haven't finish­ behavior which is, frankly, non­ never sidle into someone else's Mostly, I objected to simple ed it. However, I do think one sense. Perhaps you might be in­ personal space while they were logic faults. I had inferred the shouldn't weep crocodile tears terested in David Snow's Web of talking. Actually, I found Gur­ green rod was either in a planter, over someone for whom one Adaptation, a book that every thark the most sympathetic or in the garage, although I didn't couldn't provide covering fire. I psychologist should read. character in Starcross, and was know the name. Surely one can did try to shoot the mutations, sorry that programming limita­ sit on an object a meter long, and but the computer wouldn't tions made it impossible to chat half a meter high. Contrast this recognize the word. I felt that was with him. However, I thought a with the remark in Sorcerer, the least I could do, since I typed . .. and Lebling Answers on page 11 PAGE 10 THE NEW ZORK TIMES SPRING 1985 Cartoonist Wanted Congratulations are in order for inches deep, so please draw your Gary Clayton of California, for cartoons proportionally. Entries winning our cartoon contest this must be in black ink [no pencil or issue. "This issue?" you ask. Yes, color illustrations will be con­ this issue. The response we got sidered) on white unlined paper. was so good, we have decided to Do not fold your entries! All sub­ make this contest. a regular part of missions become the property of The New Zork Times. If we print Infocom, Inc. Be sure to send your cartoon, you'll win the In­ your cartoon to: NZT Cartoons, 1\ focom game of your choice. For Infocom, Inc., 125 Cambridge- I.\ those of you who have just tuned Park Drive, Cambridge, MA in, we'll be happy to reprint the 02140. And don't forget to "in­ contest rules. clude a separate sheet that tells us who you are, what game you Cartoons will be printed ap­ wish to win, your computer ~. :l'l'I ?o!>tn..,s: J: tolE£D THE l'OTl'TDE.~ fllOM TllE CELLl"l1' .• proximately 414 inches wide by 5 system, and where you live. EJ

Sasha Blunderbraas: Prima Virtuosa by S. Eric Merescu The huge hall empts with ap­ master. "The great Wilbur braas asks, shrugging off the sug­ plause as Blunderbraas strides on­ Kleister once called our art 'using gestion that his performance at At the age of nine, Sasha Blunder­ to the stage, and it's easy to see illogic to untwist logical con­ Carnegie Hall was his greatest braas toured the courts of Europe, why so many people have a bigger tradictions.' I was never sure ever. "Am I better than Kleister? playing Adventure for the royalty. than life-size image of the master, what he meant by that until the · Maybe, maybe not. Was Carnegie At the age of twelve, he stunned as fifty-foot television screens first time I played Carnegie." last night better than Albert Hall the continent by solving the en­ capture him as he walks over to The opening moves of Zork I two years ago? Maybe, maybe tire SAGA series in two hours and the waiting computer. me standmd, familiar to almost not. Why should I ask myself seven minutes. Two years ago, Blunderbraas swills the soda everyone, but already Blunder­ questions I cannot answer?" his performance of Stmcross at around in his mouth, pondering braas has the audience gasping at the Albert Hall received a forty­ his answer. ''Why Zork I again? his innovation, his daring twists There are no surprises left. five minute standing ovation. His Well, to tell you the truth, I've and tums. His use of abbreviation Blunderbraas skillfully sweeps videotapes have sold forty­ always had a particular fondness during the troll battle leaves an the audience forward with his million copies. When great in­ for its simplicity of structure. It's unsuspecting woman in the front final, brilliant inputs. As the clos­ teractive fiction players are an almost perfect piece, and of row on the verge of tems. The ing words of the story appem on discussed, Blunderbraas stands course it's very accessible to au­ performance is still in its first the screen, and the baIIow door apart from the rest, a class unto diences, which explains its minute, and already the audi­ crashes shut, the enthralled himself. Where does someone go tremendous popularity. With its ence's emotions are putty in the multitude is drawn to its feet as from the top? very first three words, West of master's hands. though by a single cord. As The lights dim, and an expec­ House, a familiar mood is Traffic noise from Fifth Avenue Blunderbraas tums for his bows, tant hush settles over the established, forming a common is the only sound as Blunderbraas the room thunders with applause standing-room-only crowd at meeting ground for audience and chews thoughtfully at the hot, that threatens to bring down the Camegie Hall. They await his ap­ performer. 11 bubbling, room service pizza. walls. It rolls on and on, resound­ pemance with bated breath, their As Blunderbraas flips back his ''I'd be lying if I said the audience ing mound the room, propelling the evening's performance down eager faces illuminated with a tails and settles onto the com­ reaction doesn't affect me. ghostly blue from the projection puter stool, a dead silence falls There's a bond there, and even the corridor of time, toward a TVs, displaying the bootscreen of over the room. There is an elec­ though my concentration, my pedestal of greatness it has Zork I. trifying moment while Blunder­ top-level thought, is fixed on that already earned. Blunderbraas seems so or­ braas seems frozen , his hands story, there's a secondary level of His agent appears at the door, dinary, sitting in his midtown poised over the keybomd. Then thought that is fed, nourished, reminding Blunderbraas of the hotel room in blue-jeans and a with a crash of the keys, he's off and inspired by the level of elec­ impending flight. The master T-shirt, sipping a can of soda. It's and running, with the swift, tricity in the theatre." agrees to a final question. What's hard to believe that this steady inputs that are his As the emerald joins sixteen next for the man who is, if not unassuming figure is the genius trademmk. other treasures in the trophy case, unequalled in the annals of his whose name is synonymous with "I love to play Carnegie Hall," an almost electric tremor ripples art, at least unsurpassed? More performing interactive fiction. explains Blunderbraas, skirting through the audience. The audi­ performances? More tours, tapes, ''People are always surprised at the question of why he is touring ence can sense history in the training? An autobiography? ''Just my appearance when they see me again after two years of semi­ making; performances such as now, I mostly want to go home, for the first time,'' explains retirement. "Its age, its or­ this one come only once in a lie around on the beach, putter Blunderbraas, almost apologeti­ nateness, juxtaposed against the lifetime. A man in the audience around my garden. When I feel cally. ''I think they expect some­ modem simplicity of the com­ grabs his stunned wife's arm. the need to perform again, I will one taller, more commanding, puter, creates an image of con­ ''Not since the great Kleister have perform again. 11 He reaches for with unkempt wild hair and a tradiction that frequently inspires I seen such a magnificent use of his jacket and knapsack. "By the look of near madness in his eyes. me in my performance.'' A smile AGAIN!" he murmurs. way, 11 he asks. "Do you know I'm actually just pretty ordinary­ portends the release of a bauble "You hear this, you read that, when the next Hitchhiker's game looking.11 from the stored wisdom of the what does it matter?" Blunder- will be out?" EJ SPRING 1985 THE NEW ZORK TIMES PAGE 11 You Can't Please SPECIAL OFFER \;;.YAK FACTS-I All the People Buy an expert-level game, get a free InvisiClues book! All the Time Did you know that ... Buy 2 expert-level games (Starcross, Suspended, or Dead­ line), get either: Two comments we received on .,... yaks generally mate during The Hitchh.iker's Guide to the the winter months? ..,.. free InvisiClues books Galaxy: ' 'Most puzzles very easy, .,... yaks live on Tibetan plateaus ..,.. the third expert-level game free. however game is enjoyable" - nearly 20,000 feet above sea Marc, Edmonds, Washington. HERE'S HOW: Enclose this coupon with your direct pur­ level? "You obviously designed this chase from us or with proof of purchase (a sales receipt for ' game so that the user is forced to .,... yaks require large quantities the expert-level games you purchased dated between June purchase the hint booklet" - of water, and have been known to 1 and August 31, 1985). Make your choice below: Frank, Pacoima, California. eat ice during the cold season? D InvisiClues for ______It's not easy making a game .,... the hide of the yak is used to challenging but not too make leather, that the hair of the D InvisiClues for ______frustrating for most players. For yak is used to make rope, and one thing, we all ha,1e different that yak tails are used as fly D Free game backgrounds, educations, hob­ whisks in India? D Deadline D Starcross D Suspended bies, and skills. .,... no effective vaccine has ever For ______(computer system) been found for pleuropneumonia, Offer expires August 31, 1985. Our difficulty ratings are an in­ a contagious disease caused by dication of how hard or easy it the organism mycoplasma ------· should be for most people to get mycoides which strikes yaks and .,... dried yak dung is the only ob­ .,... a herd of yaks can migrate involved in the game. The older other herding animals? tainable fuel on the treeless over seven thousand miles in a games were rated based on hun­ plateaus of Tibet? single day? dreds or thousands of comments .,... the hybrid between a yak and received from players over the a cattle is called a dzo and is .,... the gestation period of the yak .,... wild yaks, although native to years. The new games are preferrable to the yak for is longer than any other warm­ Tibet, are frequently found graz­ evaluated by our inside and out­ plowing? blooded animal? ing as far away as Lima, Peru? El side testers, a significantly smaller but, we hope, represen- d blin An tative group. Many of the prob- an Le no swers lems are tweaked based on the -~ ~ _ _ ~------..____/ testers' input. ------continued from page 9 gists as possibly the most hostile, Ray guns. Ray guns can have If you find yourself up against a xenophobic tribe ever discovered, recoil. For example, the current roadblock in one of the games, do so I wouldn't use them as an ex­ best-known "ray gun" is the something else for awhile; then Dear John, ample. Besides, they . aren't design for the so-called Star Wars you can attack the problem again I was very interested to read isolated. One reason they are so missile defense, which starts by with a fresh perspective. (This is your comments about Starcross. I warlike is that they have been producing a large explosion why it often helps to play with a thought I'd respond just to clear a driven by pressure from other whose energy is then lased. It is friend - a different point of view few misunderstandings about tribes into their present locale. I possible to imagine ray gun can be a great asset.) Whatever various parts of the game. see the Weasels as living in a technologies that work by similar you do, don't despair! You'll Bumps. If you read the descrip­ more benign environment. Their methods. figure it out. Remember: the tion carefully, you will find an only "natural" enemy woul.9- be Planters. There are planters greatest satisfaction results from analogy with something far more the Rat-Ants. You are probably (and plants) in various halls, part solving the hardest problems. But obvious than the supposition that right about the single group being of the oxygen recycling system. you already know that . . . El the artifact builders had four non-viable in the long term. On The program, within limits, fingers . The fourth bump is ob­ the other hand, the Bounty recognizes the words it uses in viously the Earth, the current mutineers have survived without descriptions. destination of the artifact and significant outside contact or Mouse. I agree the message your home. In short, it's more of gene-pool contribution for 200 should be better. In the current ERRATUM a test than an example of numeri­ years. version it says ''You can't cliJ:nb cal obsession. (It's the fourth onto the maintenance mouse. 11 Due to a typesetting error, bump because the large one Physics. You are absolutely It's accurate, if inelegant. I will captions from the photo essay representing the sun also counts.) right about floating from the probably change it to say ''The in the next issue ("Searching Gurthark. The whole point of center of a rotating cylinder in a mouse whirrs and buzzes unhap­ for the Relics of the Emu") the Gurthark "problem" is to see vacuum. However, the interior of pily. It much prefers to collect were erroneously placed with exactly how species-centric the the artifact is not a vacuum. You small pieces of debris." the photo essay in this issue player is . Gurthark is obviously would start slowly, then ac­ Teeth. I know an animal that ("Life at Infocom"). We not a spider, for the reasons you celerate, not from the force of shows its teeth as a gesture of apologize for this mistake, cited, but he's hairy and multi­ gravity but from the "wind" pro­ friendship: man. What do you which was discovered too late armed and -legged, and he lives in duced by the interaction of your think a smile is? Gurthark is pro­ to correct in time for publi­ a room crisscrossed by wires (not inertia (following a straight path bably trying his best to smile. cations. We hope it does not webs, notice). He seems rather out from the center) and the iner­ I'm sorry you didn't enjoy Star­ mterfere with your enjoyment spidery, and the solution to the tia of the air (rotating about the cross. Perhaps if you take time to of the " Life at Infocom" problem is to deal with him with­ axis of rotation of the artifact). finish it you will like it better. I photo essay. The photos from out worrying about his You would hit hard but the effect don't think it has as may howlers ''Searching for the Relics of appearance. of the wind would have speeded as you do. the Emu'' will run in the next Weasels. Actually, the Yano­ you up somewhat. I assumed .Sg, Sincerely, issue. B mamo are regarded by ethnolo- by the way. Dave Lebling B PAGE 12 THE NEW ZORK TIMES SPRING 1985 T-Shirt Winners From Puzzle #4

The twelve highlighted letters 11. Brent Thomas from the crossword puzzle, RR N Gainsville, FL Directions: Below are thirteen alleged responses from Zork I: E I S N H T I T W, re-arrange 12. Sheila Stroup The Great Underground Empire. Actually, only eleven of them to form the answer: T-SHIRT Covington, LA are really in the game; two of them are fakes. Imposters. We just WINNER. 13. Matt Rosauer made them up. To win the puzzle, simply write down the There were 463 entries to Puz­ Bettendorf, IA numbers of the two false responses on the answer form below zle Number Four, and all but two and send it in. There are no tricks; the fake responses are not just of them were correct. As usual, 14. Tyler Keith Thomas real responses with one word changed, for example. our exciting drawing drew a Irvine, CA By the way, there were a few photocopies among the entries sellout crowd. Here are the 25 15 . Laura Gordon for the last couple of puzzles. Your entry must be on the form lucky winners: Framingham, MA below; not a copy. Don't bother even trying- despite all claims 1. Russell Pickett 16. Howard Halter by photocopier manufacturers, photocopies are quite easy to tell Tulsa, OK Renton, WA apart from the original. 2. Ralph Dailey 17 . Robert Allgood Kent, WA La Palma, CA 1. "The pines and the hemlocks seem to be murmuring." 3. Alan Fisher 18. Jonathan Swartz 2. "Going up empty-handed is a bad· idea." Holliston, MA Great Neck, NY 3. "The leaves bum, and so do you." 4. Thomas Keating 19. B.L. Harris 4. "You feel a faint tingling transmitted through the sword." Wilmington, DE Fort Dix, NJ 5. "I'm afraid you have done drowned yourself." 5. Eric Dodds 20. Sue Whitman 6. ''The thief says nothing, as you have not been formally Santa Barbara, CA Lexington, NC introduced.'' 6. Alan Bridges 21. Patra Bach 7. "The book is already open to page 569." San Antonio, TX Camby, IN 8. "You pry the door open a crack, but then it snaps back 7. Brendan O'Leary 22. Robby Moser with a resounding thud. 11 Brooklyn Park, MN Mountain View, CA 9. "The rainbow seems to have become somewhat run-of­ 8. Max Salmenson 23. Debbie Antlitz the-mill. 11 Beaverton, OR Schaumburg, IL 10. "The cyclops spreads a checkered tablecloth on the 9. Amy and David Sams 24. Mary Sauer ground.'' Pasadena, CA Circleville, OH 11 . "You need no light to guide you." 10. Glen Carlin 25. Todd Yoder 12. "Some paint chips away, revealing more paint." Honolulu, HI Columbia, SC 13. "The hole collapses, smothering you." SOLUTION TO PUZZLE NUMBER FOUR I~------~-----i I I ANSWER: ___ I I Name: I I I I I T-Shirt Size (S, M, L, XL) : ___ I I CONTEST RULES: 1. All entries must be submitted on this form. No copies accepted. 2. All entries must be received by July 1, 1985. 3. Up to 25 prizes will be awarded. If more than 25 correct answers are received, a drawing will be held to determine the winners. Void where prohibited by law.

PRIZE: A New Zork Times Puzzle Winner T-Shirt

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