Weather: State of exigency ** ** ** * II VOL. V. ... No. 4 ****- SPRING 1986 - INTERVERNAL EDITION Trinity: A Nuclear Time Warp ·

Interactive fiction lets you con­ fateful experiment of all time: the trol the course of a story. Trinity'/' world's first atomic explosion, the exciting new fantasy from In­ code-named Trinity. focom, takes this one step fur­ Trinity blends fantasy and ther. It lets you attempt to alter realism to bring you an other­ the course of history. worldly experience somewhere Trinity begins in London, between Alice in Wonderland and where you are a tourist deter­ The Twilight Zone. Although mined to enjoy the last day of author conducted your $599 vacation, despite extensive research to ensure the ominous rumblings from the accuracy of locations and events, superpowers. But the peaceful at no time are you completely in ambience of a su=er morning reality. Even at the Trinity site, quickly turns to horror as air raid magical things can happen. sirens fill the air and a hydrogen As the first puzzle-oriented bomb threatens the city with in­ game to be written with stant annihilation. 's lf you're clever, you'll escape Plus™ development system, through a mysterious white door Trinity has more of all the things into a magical garden filled with lnfocom fans have grown to Every Trinity package includes ''The Illustrated Story of the Atom Bomb, '' curious artifacts and overgrown know and love. There are dozens a map of the Trinity test site, an intricately decorated sundial, and instruc­ with gigantic toadstools. But this of challenges, nearly 600 objects tions for folding an origami bird. hauntingly beautiful landscape is and locations, and a vocabulary of only the starting point of your over 2100 words. Interactive Fic­ journey. You've discovered a tion Plus doubles the potential twilight world in which every size of a program, allowing for atomic explosion that has ever larger, richer stories and more Conterstone For $99.95 occurred is inexplicably con­ sophisticated user interfaces. nected; and you'll need to explore To get you started, the Trinity ;" the powerful, easy- many of the people who would every inch of it, crisscrossing package includes a copy of Theil­ to-use database from Infocom, is benefit most from Cornerstone time and space, before you can lustrated Story of the Atom now available for only $99.95. just couldn't afford it. So we understand and control its power. Bomb. This historical comic Why did we lower the price on a repackaged it to cut costs and set Your quest will lead you from book fills you in on the facts product that's already getting a price more accessible to the in- the Siberian tundra to a tropical behind the fantasy, as well as pro­ great reviews from users and dividual user it was origi!lally island, from deep underground to viding valuable clues to the f~r;es:s~?~S~i~m5p~l~e~. ~~~e~re~al~iz~·~..JJ;iai;..-1..J;w.._.i.....-....i...----.----~an~ the depths of outer space. The puzzles in the story. Also includ­ chilling climax takes place in the ed are an intricately decorated New Mexico desert, where you'll punch-out sundial, a detailed * • * • * arrive minutes before the most Please tum to page 9 h out there beyond the Great Underground Empire, ..-~·J~.ew ere ' h espaper _ er no - a news- b exists a strange world w ere a. gru . bl. h d' We don't e htfocom Weds 'h N Yi rk Tunes is pu is e · or us paper cfalled T e ha~:y~k is (something like a yak, we sup- d On February 19, 1986, Activi­ Levy responded with a (clean) know or sure w don't want to meet . sion, Inc. announced that Info­ limerick. ~~ pose), but if they're ;dnt~~i ~:~~:'(:~eh we are quite sure il~ com would be purchased by Acti­ The bride wore a veil made one. Anyway, they ) hink that a and a york are av are at least as nasty as grues t e vision, in a transaction valued at from five yards of nylon net, and loc approximately $7 .5 million. carried artificial flowers. Both pretty much alike. f • • • 1f you have a the S , looking for a new name or · . • • • Mere weeks later, in a dramatic bride and groom wore looks of affirmation of combinatorial bemused surprise. su~~s~~~Ine( Thel2N5e~~i!fg~~~~ r~~~~u~~~~d~e~oMA ' lofocom, c., spirit, Activision President James After a honeymoon at Aragain H. Levy and lnfocom President Falls, the newly merged couple 02Thl4~ winner will receive a subscription to The Nethw York ~ Joel M. Berez were merged in a will maintain their separate pro­ her choice Now at you Times or the newspaper o f hi s or h. . ill be • • * moving ceremony presided over duct development and marketing , e sure that your c oice w · by InfoRabbi Stuart W. Galley­ facilities in Mountairl View, CA, . know the diff. erence, w_el! f eople who bought The New - 0 witz. Infoco=ies cheered, par­ and Cambridge, MA. (i.e. We'll We apologize to the mil 101:1s ;F. Entries must be received k T" hoping to receive · In 1 ticipated irl responsive readings still be the Infocom you know ~orAu:s:~5, 1986, and become th~ property of lnfo~o~~e c. from Hackers (written by Steven and love.) y h right to come up with our own narn ' Levy - no relation to Jim), and Queried about graphics in Inter­ (We reserve t e 11 "bl but we'll award the prize to the . thirlk yours are a tern e, threw rice at the beaming CEOs. active Fiction stories, oi: better least bad entry if that happens.) Berez read a tone poem drawn parsers in Little Computer People, from the purple prose of several the happy couple declined com­ Please tum to page 9 InteractiVe Fiction stories, and ment, but smiled enigmatically. B PAGE2 * * * * SPRING1986 Fooblitzky Available at Your Corner Store Would you rather spend an even­ Clue® and Mastermind'." It's a 128K, graphics card, and prefer­ Bringing Fooblitzky to the ing with a serial murderer than challenging strategy game with ably a composite monitor), or an postaphobics is just the beginning with a mailman? Does the mere fun graphics. It's a competitive Atari XL/ XE (with 48K and 810 of a long, long crusade. There are thought of licking a postage game which promotes social in­ or 1050 disk drive), or an Apple II still many more computer stamp cause your mouth to dry teraction between players. It's a plus/Ile/Ilc (with 128K), and at owners that need to be united up and your tongue to swell? Do perfect family game, one that least $39.95 of disposable in­ with this unique game. For exam­ you shudder and hyperventilate young and old can play together. come. As part of this crusade, we ple, people who do not subscribe to the beat of MI. Postman by the It's enjoyed by males and females are now making Fooblitzky avail­ to • • • • might Marvelettes? Do you break out in alike. It's a game that even able through retail channels, not be aware of Fooblitzky. Or hives or a cold sweat when you're computer-haters can love! thereby ending one of the greatest this might be the perfect Infocom within a hundred yard radius of a Having confirmed our belief in discomforts that postaphobics game for the few lost souls who mailbox? Will you only eat its greatness, we knew we must have had to suffer. With Fooblit­ don't care for interactive fiction. Kellogg's raisin bran? If you embark on a crusade to make zky painlessly available at their So please join us in our crusade. answered 11 yes 11 to one or more of Fooblitzky available to every local software dealer, victims of We need your help. Spread the the above questions, you most man, woman, and child in the postaphobia need no longer be news of Fooblitzky - because a likely suffer from postaphobia - free world who owns or has ac­ deprived of the joys of Fooblitzky thing of beauty is meant to be the fear of anything pertaining to cess to an IBM PC/XTI AT (with ownership. shared. n the post office or mail service. In the past, victims of this crip­ pling condition have been unable to enjoy all the pleasures and Eniac and Other Little Known Computer Faes treasures that life has to offer - namely, Fooblitzky'!' Fooblitzky, This year marks the fortieth an­ CATARAC. An early artificial ed jointly by Masters and John­ Infocom's unique graphic strate­ niversary of ENIAC, the first intelligence experiment, CAT­ son, the U.S. Air Force, and Para­ gy game, has been available only modern-day computer. Built at ARAC was the first computer mount Pictures. No results from through mail order. If posta­ the University of Pennsylvania, designed to "see." Its ' built-in this experimental project were phobics attempt to purchase ENIAC was the first all-electronic camera would analyze objects in ever published, but whispered anything via mail order, they are digital computer. Unlike earlier attempt to identify them. Unfor­ rumors indicated that the interac­ sent into a terrifying tailspin. computers, it used vacuum tubes tunately, the lens was prone to tions between the three machines 11 Their anxiety attack is of such rather than relays in its logic fog, causing wildly erroneous were "intriguing. great proportion that nothing circuits. identifications. A military­ CULDESAC. The research short of a frontal lobotomy will ENIAC's anniversary has got­ sponsored program, CATARAC leading up to this computer relieve their condition. There­ ten tremendous amounts of at­ was dismantled in 1967 after it seemed promising, but turned fore, they have been forced to tention from the computer­ identified a visiting Five Star out to be a dead end. lead empty lives, devoid of the related press. Ignored in all the General as Leon Trotsky. These are just a handful of the wondrous experience of Fooblit­ hoopla, however, are some other BIGMAC. The first of the big electronic marvels built by the zky ownership. great machines of the late 1940s computers built for a practical pioneers of the computer revolu­ And what a wondrous experi­ that helped usher in the com­ purpose, BIGMAC was designed tion. Many others have also carv­ ence it is! We asked people who puter age: to plan the menu at several ed their niche into silicon were fortunate enough to be MAINEEAC. A powerful com­ government cafeterias. Too many history: TARMAC, LILAC, capable of buying Fooblitzky to puter, but given to odd, unex­ programmer-cooks spoiled the BIVOUAC, KARDIAC, BRIKA­ express their feelings about it. plainable errors. Here's a typical brew; BIGMAC formulated meals BRAC, ZODIAC, HEMOFILIAC, Here's just a sampling of their example. Programmer: consisting entirely of car­ and INSOMNIAC . responses: "MAJNEEAC, what is the sum of bohydrates, and the project was Yes, in paving the way toward 3 and 5?" MAJNEEAC : "I'm go­ eventually scrapped amidst a the computers of today, ENIAC ing to butcher your entire family, flurry of finger-pointing. was definitely ah important pav­ It's the best multi-player game 11 ever to come around! It's fun , ex­ starting with your baby sister. NEKROFILIAC, NYMFO­ ing stone - but let us not forget citing, enjoyable, enthralling, fan ­ EENIE-MEENIE-M YNIE­ MANIAC, and AFRODEEZIAC. the other stones that also line tastic, and great. -Jeff, age 15. MOENIAC. Designed to use sim­ This trio of computers were fund- that road. B ple algorithms to make choices Even my wife likes this game, between equally good possibili­ and she hates my computer. ties, this computer never per­ Design a Better Envelope -Carl, age 26 formed satisfactorily. Its selec­ tions always seemed to be ran­ Did you notice anything different mouth, while baring its lethal My brother and I played this to­ dom, or based on algorithms about the envelope that this NZT fangs, seems to form yet a day for about 2~ hours - we beyond the understanding of its issue arrived in? Did you notice whispered plea for sympathy,. laughed, cried, and generally had programmers. Also, it was prone the unique pen-and-ink rendering understanding, perhaps even love a great time!! The graphics are to holier "Ollie Ollie Oxen;Free" on the front of it? . . . . Truly a noteworthy objet fabulous. Keep up the great for no apparent reason. Did you notice dramatic com­ d'art - tasteful, and yes, beauti­ work!! -Sarah-Ann, age 41 KADILAC. The classiest of petition of bold black against the ful in its simplicity, yet poetic computers, more powerful than wash of white? The soothing and equally beautiful in its emo­ Good family involvement game any of its contemporaries. Occu­ flow of the lines that lend, if you tional complexity. - favorite of my 11-year-old pying fifteen floors of an office will, an almost musical quality? Look, I'm talking about that daughter. -Edward, age 38 building in Detroit, KADILAC The hypnotic play of light glint­ dude in the lower left-hand cor­ could go from 0 to 60 instructions ing from the whetted edge of the ner. Yeah, that stick thing. And Basically, people's experiences in just seven seconds, but used an axe blade? And ah - the face! quit calling him Mr. Salty, the with Fooblitzky confirmed what extraordinary amount of electrici­ What drama lies therein! Intense pretzel man! It's a troll - okay?! we have always believed: Fooblit­ ty to operate. A smaller version of emotion emits from the eyes, If you think you can do a better zky is a great game. It reminds the machine, PONTIAC, was their gaze searing the onlooker job, then go ahead! people of classic board games like also a disappointment. like fiery embers. The twisted Please tum to page 12 SPRING 1986 PAGE3 - - ·------*- -- * * - *------Getting to Know You the most difficult? the easiest? 1. 1. We would like to get to know you a little better. We want to know what makes you tick - your likes and dislikes, your strengths and 2. 2. weaknesses, your successes and failures, your hopes and fears, your aspirations and dental hygiene habits. Therefore, we're putting 3. 3. together a series of reader surveys that we will be running in this and future issues of * * * * . Please take the time to fill out Listed below are various aspects of an Infocom interactive fiction these surveys. They will help us to create the kinds of entertainment game. By circling the appropriate number, please indicate how impor­ products that you'd enjoy most, or to write stories for * * * tant each aspect is to your enjoyment of the game. * that you'd find the most interesting, or maybe even to develop Very Not that electrical dental flosser you've been longing for. The survey Important Important results will be published in upcoming issues. Puzzles ...... 1 2 3 4 5 Character interaction ...... 1 2 3 4 5 * * * • Reader Poll #1 Exploration and mapping ...... 1 2 3 4 5 Name: Descriptive prose ...... 1 2 3 4 5 Address: Humor...... 1 2 3 4 5 Storyline ...... 1 2 3 4 5 City: ______State: _ _ _ Packaging ...... 1 2 3 4 5 Zip=--~- Phone:_.______,______Attention to detail ...... 1 2 3 4 5

Age: ___ · Sex:_· __. Occupatio.~------Below is a list of current and potential categories of Infocom interac­ Computer brand ai:d model: ______tive fiction stories. Please indicate your level of interest in each. . ' Very Not On the average, ho~ many hours On the average, how many hours Interested Interested per month do you use your com­ per month do you play Infocom Fantasy ...... 1 2 3 4 5 puter for entertainment? games? Science Fiction ...... 1 2 3 4 5 Check One Check One Mystery ...... 1 2 3 4 5 Tales of Adventure'" ...... 1 2 3 4 5 D 0-5 D 0-3 Comedy ...... 1 2 3 4 5 D 6-10 D 4-8 Romance ...... 1 2 3 4 5 D 11-20 D 9-15 Western ...... 1 2 3 4 5 D 21-40 D 16-25 Intrigue (Spy) ...... 1 2 3 4 5 D 41 + D 26+ Horror ...... 1 2 3 4 5 Please list the Infocom games you have played in the order you played Historical ...... 1 2 3 4 5 them and put a check mark after each title you have completed. Any others?

Title Completed? Title Completed? What are your favorite non-Infocom adventure games?

1. 11. 1. 2. 12. 2. 3. 13. 3.

4. 14. Please use the space below to tell us how you think we could improve 5. 15. our games. Is there anything we should change or add to our games - perhaps some aspect from one of the non-Infocom games you mention­ 16. ed above? Your comments are greatly appreciated. Use additional pages ·I 6. if needed. . I 7. 17. I 8. ____ 18.

I 9. 19. 110. 20. I In order, which 3 Infocom games I were ... I your favorite? your least favorite? Please clip out or photocopy this form and mail to: 1 i. 1. I . Infocom, Inc. 2. 2. • • • Reader Poll #1 125 CambridgePark Drive l 3'. 3. Cambridge, MA 02140 1------PAGE4 * * * * SPRING1986 Dear Infocom: AMFV advanced-level because we didn 't think it was a good I felt that your game A Mmd game f6r a first-timer. The con­ Mail Bag Forever Voyaging was quite a AMFV disappointment, primarily cept of is more corp­ because it was much too easy for plicated than in most games. For _ Dear * • •, After Zork® I we tackled the rest an advanced-level game. instance, sometimes you simu­ late a human being, other times of the series, and Enchanter® and A Mmd Forever Voyaging had Help, I think I'm possessed! I Sorcerer'." When ar­ hardly any challenge. There were you 're a computer (and when used to be a nice suburban rived we were engaged. Spell­ only one or two real puzzles, and you 're a computer, you have housewife, mother of three, PTA breaker is keeping us busy and is the rest of the game seemed to be specialized commands unique to president, you know the type. much better than a boring trip devoted only to exploration. The AMFV); you travel forward in time, but only in your "computer Now, I'm an INFO-MANIAC. across Flathead Ocean. overall plot, the puzzle in Part ill, imagination." In short, we felt How bad is it? All right, I'll tell By the way, 2 copies of the and the prose were all very well you how bad it is. The other day I • • • now reach our room. done, but the rest of the game someone who had already "ex­ perienced" interactive fiction was in a computer store watching Perhaps you could speak to the seemed to be somewhat mean­ AMFV a salesperson demonstrate the delivery boy. He only comes at ingless. I fondly recall the old would appreciate more than a novice. It wasn't intended new Atari 520 ST. Big deal, you night when it is very dark. (Is he a days of Zork and Deadline, in say; well, -read on. "Impressive ?J Thank you for giving us a which the player's brain could to be a brain teaser like most of machine,'' I remarked, ''but what our other games, but rather a chance to share our common really get a workout. about software?" The salesperson thought-provoking exploration of goals (how to get past the Your rating system also seems hesitatingly pointed to a small a sobering future world. We're cyclops, open the egg, etc.) and to have a few serious flaws. A glass cabinet nearby. I casually glad you enjoyed the plot and having something great develop Mind Forever Voyaging is only prose, anyway. walked over to the case. "Oh, In­ from it all as well. one example of this. How could focom games, how nice," I said. Sincerely, you rate to be easier than Just then, it caught my eye: a Scott and Darbi Henderson, both Zork II and Zork 111? I feel As for the "other" flaws in our strange new title called A Mmd Los Angeles, CA that it was by far the hardest of rating system, we admit a certain Forever Voyaging1." A rush of ex­ the three. imprec1s10n. Surely you citement came over me. But alas, Although I was let down by A recognize how subjective ratings after reading the packaging, I To whom it may concern: Mmd Forever Voyaging, I have must be. Even though you found realized that this new Infocom enjoyed most of your other Zork I harder than Zork II or Zork game could only be played on I am an avid (rabid?) fan of your ill, you're in the minority. (That games, and have been trying (un­ games. I am looking forward to machines with 128K like that , and hope that it will doesn't mean you're "wrong" new computer over there, and not successfully) to get my trembling and we 're "right. ") The rating hands on a copy of the new game live up to its level. on my old klunker at home. Sincerely, system is meant merely as a Which up until now, by the way, Spellbreaker. This poem ex­ guideline. If you want to know presses my frustration of not be­ Arthur DiBianca, was my pride and joy. "I'll take Chapel Hill, NC more about a game, read the it!" I shouted. Out came my ing able to get one. synopsis on the back of the checkbook, and within moments Whatl No Spellbreakerl package. It should give you a pret­ I was on my way home with my The Zorks are great, Deadline®'s You 're right: A Mind Forever ty good idea. whether the game new computer and, best of all, neat; Voyaging has only a few puzzles, has lots of puzzles, or has other my new Infocom game. WAIT. .. 's Floyd just can't be beat. and most of the game is devoted characters in it, or is There I was, all set up and Infidel®' s rat pits are a pain, to exploration. We decided to call "story-like." -Ed. El ready to boot, when my husband And Cutthroats"" treasure is hard to walked in the door. "Oh, look, gain. dear,'' I said lovingly. ''I bought a Enchanter's fun and really cool, For Sorcerer I was glad to go to new Infocom game.'' He eyed the Magic School. huge mass sitting on the kitchen But when I feel I can be no greater table and said, ''Infocom really I hear of a new test - Spellbreaker! outdid themselves on packaging In anticipation, my robe I don this time. By the way, hon, did To the software store my body's **** you remember the bread?" drawn. Writers Gary Brennan, Mike Dornbrook, *DARK* I search the aisles, search the walls, Elizabeth Langosy, , Steve For any hope it's in these walls. Sincerely, Meretzky, Brian Moriarty, Jonathan Barbara Razzano, With cash in hand I hope to pay Only to find out (gasp!) they're out Palace, Gayle Syska · Ontario, CA this day! Photos Suzanne Frank P.S. I was disappointed to see Jake M. Wark, Production Dave Anderson, Cynthia Curtis, Boston, MA that your new game, Fooblitzky, Jonathan Palace isn't available for the Atari ST. I really did buy it, you know. Oh Special thanks to Andrea, Barry, Brian, Chris, Craig, Dave, well, I guess I'll just have to play Dear Infocom: Elizabeth, George, Gina, Joe, John, Ken, it on the old klunker. Linda, Mike, Nancy, Paul, Renata, I started my quest Deciding to go north, south, east, Richard, Rob, Ron, Stuart, Tara, Tim, Dear Sirs [sic]: and west. and Tom Just a quick note to let you know I made it past the troll with the axe, Who tried to kill me with pretty big that you at Infocom have among This issue is dedicated to our friend Phil Trabucco. others things inspired romance. hacks. I know I'm one of the few We are newlyweds who are Who didn't get eaten by a grue. Zork, Enchanter, Deadline, The Witness, Starcross, Suspended, P/anetfall, Infidel, and spending our honeymoon playing Seastalkec arc registered trademarks of htlocom, Inc. Trinity, Ballyhoo, Wish bringer, Sorcuer, Despite all my pleasures Spellbreaker, Suspect, , Cuttbroats, Fooblitzky, Cornerstone, Tales Spellbreaker'."This is in keeping I got all the treasures of Adventure1 Interactive Fiction Plus, and lnvisiClues are trademarks of Infocom, Inc. The with the fact that we were just And even killed the crook Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a trademark of . Clue is a registerc>d lone Zorkers until we accidental­ Because I bought the hint book. trademark of Parker Bros. Mastermind is a trademark of Invicta Plastics. ly met in the G.U.E. while trying Michael Gatto, © 1986 Infocom, Inc., 125 CambridgePark Drive, Cambridge, MA 02140 to vanquish the cyclops. Los Angeles, CA SPRING1986 * * * * PAGES Cartoon Contest Winners David R. Horlick Congratulations to the winners of or colors, and please don't fold this issue's cartoon contest! • your cartoon! All submissions is proud to become the property of Infocom, honor the warped individuals Inc. Send your entries to • • • whose drawings appear on these Cartoons, Infocom, Inc., 125 pages. CambridgePark Drive, Cam­ Every cartoonist whose work is bridge, MA 02140. Include a printed in • * • • separate sheet of paper with your receives a free Infocom game of name and address, as well as the his or her choice. If you'd like to title of the game you'd like to try winning a game, send us your win, and the computer system it DOOOOOO ""'C>Otl 0 Q D a• QD l>p 0000000 cartoon drawn with black ink on should run on. B 0000000 0 C ll t:1 O D 0 tl -Cl ll /J 0 0 white, unlined paper. No pencil GDOODOU

Ferne Campbell

.r Prom1~ /ilJ#Cif··· .:z: ~£. iffl PINN£r Ifs StJON "s I 967" ~­ Mike Nuell -."Hll t.V nw e»r//

Mark Cantrell

EVER WONDER HOW GAME IDEAS EVOLVE? HERE ARE SOME OffilN~@li\ GAME CONCEfTS THAT NEVER MADE It..

Matt Babcock

ll e:a:~~ c.. L'8h+!" PAGE6 * * * * SPRJNC How I Spent My By Brian "You want to go where?" "There's a big one down at the Lab," she with signs hinting an awful fate for "Albuquerque." I hoped this would be drawled, gesturing through the window of the unauthorized personnel. But the gate was easy. "Halfway between Los Alamos and drug store. "Just follow the signs." open, and the Lab employees eating lunch White Sands. The National Atomic Museum "The Lab" is Los Alamos National under the trees were unarmed. So I stepped in­ is there, and I've been talking to this professor Laboratory, announced by a sign that side and roamed the stacks for hours. Nobody at UNM who - " stretches like a Cinema.Scope logo along the questioned my presence, and I drove away "Great. Go." was never one to fortified ent:ance. One of the nation's leading from Los Alamos without being shot. mince words. centers of nuclear weapons research. The • • • A month later I was easing a brand new birthplace of the atomic bomb. T-Bird out of the Hertz lot at Albuquerque In­ The Bradh.rry Museum occupies a tiny cor­ Albuquerque's National Atomic Museum is a ternational Airport, ready to start researching ner in the acres of buildings, parking lots, and different story. It's right in the middle of my next interactive fiction title, Trinity. barbed wire fences that comprise the Kirtland Air Force Base. You have to stop at a Those long, empty roads I'd seen from the Laboratory. Its collection includes scale security shack and persuade a very young man window of my jet made me insist on some­ models of the very latest in nuclear warheads with a crewcut to issue a visitor's permit. thing with cruise control. Air conditioning and guided missiles. You can watch on a com­ This valuable document gives you the right to isn't optional in New Mexico, especially puter as animated neutrons blast heavy proceed to the Museum by the most direct around mid-July. isotopes to smithereens. The walls are adorn­ route possible, but with no stopping on the I drove north for two hours on 25, New ed with spectacular color photographs of way. Cameras are forbidden outside the Mexico's central artery. It winds between the fireballs and mushroom clouds, each respect­ Museum grounds, and they can search you or blue mountains and brown arroyos, past quiet fully mounted and individually titled, like your car if they decide they don't like you. I Indian reservations and the shopping malls of great works of art. didn't bother locking the T-Bird as I went in. Sante Fe, to the foothills of the Jemez moun­ I watched a teacher explain a neutron bomb A third of the exhibit space is devoted to tains. From there I began to climb west. exhibit to a group of schoolchildren. The ex­ ' 'Energy Horizons, '' featuring a solar TV set How can I describe the landscape? The col­ hibit consists of a diagram with two circles. and other equally arresting wonders. The rest orful mesas, rugged hills and forests are pro­ One circle represents the blast radius of a con­ of the Museum looks a lot like its counterpart foundly old and silent; there is nothing in ventional nuclear weapon; a shaded ring in at Los Alamos, except that the missiles are New England to compare with them. I drove the middle shows the zone of lethal radiation. even bigger and more numerous. One of the for miles without seeing another car, house, The other circle shows the relative effects of a four H-bombs they accidentally dropped over or any sign of human habitation. Just when I neutron bomb. The teacher did her best to Spain in the 1960s is on display, still wrapped was certain I'd missed a turn and lost myself point out that the neutron bomb's "blast" in its silk parachute like a naughty baby. in Colorado, a McDonald's flashed by. radius is smaller, but its "lethal" radius is After the Museum closed I took Ferenc "New in town?" The girl ringing up my proportionately much larger. The benefit of Szasz and his family out to dinner. Professor postcards sounded like she really wanted to this innovation was not explained, but the Szasz teaches history at the University of know. New Mexicans take small talk very kids listened politely. New Mexico, and had just published a book seriously. It isn't clear whether visitors are allowed to about the testing of the first atomic bomb. As "Just visiting," I replied visit the adjoining Oppenheimer Library or we shook hands he grinned at me mischiev­ fighting to suppress my not. The building stands behind a ously. "Ever had real Mexican food?" Boston accent. "Isn't high fence We drove to a place in Old there supposed to be Town, Albuquer- a museum around here?" ' ~1986 * * * * PAGE7 Summer Vacation Moriarty que's historic district near the river's edge. I Sands takes a couple of hours. At nine o'clock ing at the monument, lost in thought. A few ordered an obscure chicken dish, and the sharp the Army opened the Stallion Gate on actually wept. waiter asked me if I wanted it served Mild, the northern boundary of the Missile Range. I All the major networks were running Medium, or Hot. Szasz grinned again. was near the beginning of the caravan of cars armlhd with TV cameras, interviewing "Hot, please." that began to snake down the paved road, into anyone who looked interesting. Children The waiter looked up from his pad. ''Have the desert. Twenty miles later, I caught my combed the ground for bits of "trinitite," a you eaten here before?" first glimpse of Ground Zero. green, glassy substance composed of sand that I cleared my throat, determined to know There is no crater to speak of. The bomb was fused in the stellar heat of the blast. A the worst. "Hot. 11 was fired from the top of a hundred-foot man kept running a Geiger counter around It wasn't too bad. I had to eat very slowly, tower, too high to dig much of a hole. Instead, the base of the obelisk, and turned up the and convince myseli that I was savoring the there's a shallow depression, a quarter mile volume so that everyone could hear the food instead of tolerating it. But I think the across, where the desert floor caved in under steady tick, t ick, tick. Professor was impressed. He'd ordered his thousands of tons of pressure. Slap your palm The Army ran shuttle buses from Ground Medium. hard on a piece of Styrofoam. Whack! That's Zero to a sm~n ranch house about two miles what it looks like. southeast. Once it was a private home, owned * * * The whole area is enclosed by a chain link by the McDonald family, until it was ap­ The alarm in my Albuquerque hotel room fence. Yellow signs warn of radioactivity ten propriated (ahem) by the Manhattan Project went off at 5:00 AM on Tuesday, the 16th of to fifteen times higher than normal. I left the for the final assembly of the bomb. The peo­ July. I wanted to go outside and learn what T-Bird in the dusty parking area and joined a ple who felt ripped off at Ground Zero got the desert air felt like at that time of day. The growing retinue of sightseers for the last, long really annoyt'd at the ranch, as there is sun was still behind the mountains to the walk across the sand. nothing to see except a cluster of small east; the sky was gray and lightly overcast, What monument could do justice to that rooms, all alike, and all completely empty. much as it had been o:o. that same morning in fateful experiment? Events and people of far 1945. At 5:29:45 I turned my eyes to the less significance are commemorated by * * * south, across the airport, and wondered what I mighty pyramids and heroic statues. Yet the My last morning in New Mexico was spent at might have seen at that precise instant 40 simple stone obelisk at Ground Zero is effec­ the Rio Grande Zoo. Very tasteful. The shady years earlier. tive in its understatement. When you look walkways almost make you forget the heat of Trinity Site is located in Jornada del Muer­ around at the vast, timeless desert that the surrounding city. to, "the Journey of Death," a barren stretch of stretches away in every direction, it's easy to I wandered slowly past the monkey houses high desert that lies within the jurisdiction of imagine the hopes of all generations, past and and prairie dogs, lingering at the seal pool and White Sands Missile Range. The Site is nor­ future, balanced on that spot. To visit Trinity the yak pen, until I came at last to a big cage mally open to the public only one day each is to stand at the fulcrum of history. filled with cacti. A gray bird was perched in­ year, the first Saturday in October. But in The reaction of the crowd was mixed. side, sleek and fast-looking, with sharp eyes May I got a hot tip from a White Sands of­ Many felt ripped off; I think they expected a and a long tail splashed with color. ficial, who told me they were planning to glowing, smoke-filled canyon, inhabited by "I'm gonna make you a star," I whispered. open the Site for five hours on July 16th to mutated jackrabbits the size of buffalo. The roadrunner blinked at me, and pretend­ commemorate the 40th anniversary. Others, myseli among them, just stood look- ed not to understand. El The drive from Albuquerque to White PAGEB * * * * SPRING1986 Is Something Wrong With My Game?

I have a defective disk. What do I money order. To protect your will provide you with a replace­ sure that the CONFIG.SYS has do? disk, use a disk mailer or sand­ ment disk at no charge should the line which reads: device= First, be sure it's defective: verify wich your disk between card­ you encounter this particular ansi.sys. You may need to create the disk yourself. To do so, boot board pieces. pn:iblem (refer to the previous a CONFIG.SYS file using the the program, and at the game question). DOS EDLIN or COPY CON com­ The status line in Cutthroats prompt type $VERIFY. Then mand to include a lin·e: device= stops at 8:20. What's wrong? press the RETURN (or ENTER) ansi.sys. (TI PRO and DEC users This is part of the game; it's a A line of strange characters - ar­ key. The disk will spin for a mo­ do not have the ANSI file on their puzzle, not a program bug. Reread rows, brackets, and numbers - ment or two, and a test result will DOS directories.) page 17 of the game manual docu­ appears on my status line when appear. If an internal error or bad mentation for more information. using the IBM PC-DOS/MS-DOS message appears, the disk is prob­ 2.0 diskette. Why am I having problems ably defective. Send your original Internal Error 14 appears on my loading your games on my Com­ disk only for testing and replace­ Apple program, even though it These are ASCII characters which modore 128 with 1571 drives? ment to: Infocom, 125 Cam­ verifies as "game correct." appear if the DOS file, ANSI.SYS, bridgePark Drive, Cambridge, Internal Error 14 is a specific hasn't been loaded. Go through Some 1571 drives, when starting MA 02140. It is important to problem to some of our Apple the INSTALL program again. To up, default to 1571 mode instead enclose a note explaining the programs. Although the $VERIFY load ANSI, be sure to reboot the of 1541 mode. A one-line BASIC problem and any error messages procedure shows the game to be system (by pressing CTL, ALT, co=and found on page 5 of you received, as well as your correct, the error code appears and DEL simultaneously) after your 1571 Owner's Manual will hardware specifications. Disks randomly. Our investigation the installation is complete. If put you in 1541 mode: outside of the 90-day warranty points to a problem in the pro­ rebooting has no effect, be sure OPEN 1,8,15 ,"UO >MO" period (or disks which you gtam' s interpreter. We have since that the DOS file ANSI.SYS (Note that 0 =zero.) damaged or erased) should be ac­ reprogrammed the Apple inter­ resides on your disk (the root companied by a $5 check or preter to cortect the problem and directory of hard disks) . Also be Why don't you provide hints? Sometimes all I need is just a small hint to get me going, but you always refer me to your Is Something Wrong With My Database? · InvisiClues. With 20 games now released on When I try to enter UPDATE you need to edit the Update for­ matter what report format you over 20 different computer ver­ mode, I keep getting the message mat and insert the new attribute use. sions, we can no longer provide "Can't update file previously into the format where you want it hints on our games. We want to I have a derived attribute defined viewed.''· Help! to appear. After adding the new be sure the hotline is accessible to as the sum of other attributes in You can enter (VIEW) files from attribute to the Update format, be those experiencing technical my file, but sometimes there's a the initial menu, or you can get sure to SA VE the new format as problems (e .g. , installing, blank result. What's to them directly from other files Update to save your changes. wrong? booting, saving). We not only As a safeguard, a derived attribute without having to go back to the receive calls from new pur­ will be left blank if any of its initial menu. For example, if you chasers, but also from those who How do I print beyond 80 col­ variables is blank. For example, issue VIEW CUSTOMER from have purchased through the years umns (or set right margin}? you may have a derived attribute initial mode, then directly VIEW (including persons with pirated Under REPORT FORMAT defined as: another file, then issue another RECORDS, use the MOVE copies) . Were we to provide a VIEW CUSTOMER, yol!_Will-noi Derived-attrib = FIELD and/ or ADJUST-WIDTH Attrib-1 + Attrib-2 + Attrib-3 "hint" service for 20 + games be able to update the customer sold over the past 6 years, our co=ands to either move fields Derived-attrib will only be com­ file since it was previously products would have to be priced or lengthen fields beyond the puted if there is a value in Attrib-1 viewed. To update records, press out of reach of the average con­ 80th position. You probably need and Attrib-2 and Attrib-3; if any < DONE> until you return to sumer in order to cover the costs to begin moving the field which one of these attributes is blank, the first level of interaction with of a continually expanding is farthest to the right to make then Derived-attrib will be blank. that file. Hint: Take note of the Customer Support Department. room for the others. (Print setup If you don't want this to occur, a lower-right comer where the So please understand why we options will allow you to set left, possible way to prevent it is to number of ''Files Viewed' ' is can't make a "small" exception top, and bottom margins only.) define an initial value for all at­ displayed. If the number is greater to our no-hints policy. than "1,' '. you ·have viewed tributes that will be used in the I have chang~d some of the print derivation expression. This initial several files without returning to Why do I get a "Fatal error: lliegal options for one of my reports. . value could be zero if it's being us- the initial menu first. You'll en­ operaµon" message on my IBM Can I save these options so that l ed in addition derivations, or a one counter this error ~i::ssage only if ~.ompatible with memory over don't have to re-enter them evety· if it's b.eing used in multiplication you've viewed .:.the same file time I run tbe report? 512.Kl twice., derivations. · · Yes .. After setting the print op­ Early game versions of . Zork I, tions. the way you want; return to· Where can I.find explanations of Zork II., Zoik llI, Deadline, Star­ I've defined ~ riew·a .ttribute in my viEW mode and SAVE the flOR­ Cornerstone errt>r messages? cross, $uspended, and The file definition,. but when. I go to MAT with the name you want to Whenever you get an error Witness were not designed to ac- enter data the new attribute ·use for the report. This will save message on your screen (and you . commodate computers with doesn't show up on the screen. the report format as well as the · are still within Cornerstone, not memory over 512K. When run on What's wrong? · · print options, and those .options at the DOS level), just press your computers with increased Remember that the screen that will be in effect each time you help key to get a specific explana­ memory, the screen displays appears when you enter data is USE this FORMAT. tion of the problem and how to "Fatal error: illegal operation," just a format named Update. (If remedy it. If you should ever be ''Please write-protect your disk,'' you haven't altered the default Can I print mailing labels more bounced out to the DOS level and or "ILL" messages. Updated ver­ Update format, new fields are than 1 across? receive an error message or ''Exit sions are available to accom­ automatically inserted.) When No. Cornerstone will only allow value," refer to . Chapter 11 on modate the memory increase, you add an attribute to your file, you to print one record across, no Crash Recovery. El and disks are exchanged free . El SPRING 1986 * * * * PAGE9 ' 'The catfish shot three miles choice. The winners are: H. downriver in four seconds; the Goodman, New York, NY; Nina ''True'' Tale Tellers wave obliterated several towns. Karp, Needham, MA; Monte Around hairpin loops roared the Mitzelfelt, Knoxville, TN; As you all know from our multi­ all. II maddened mudsucker, plowing Richard Nathan, Los Angeles, million-dollar television cam­ ''I found a secret entrance. through sandbars, ripping down CA; Rhett Newman, Charles­ paign blitz, we held a contest. I knew it was a secret entrance bridges. Cities flashed by like town, Australia; Nafiz Rahman, (Okay, maybe we only mention­ because of my quick eyes, and bugs on the highway." Norwell, MA; David Thomley, ed it in passing on page 7 of the the sign that said 'Secret St. Paul, MN; Robert Uyeyama, manual.) We asked Congratulations to the 10 win­ Cutthroats Entrance.''' San Jose, CA; J. Douglas Well­ readers to write and send us ners of the True Tales of Adven­ ington, Glen Rock, NJ; and "True Tales of Adventure." The ''Rain is sort of like boredom ture contest, who have each won Joshua N. Winn, Deerfield, IL. El writers of the best 10 tales were liquefied.'' the Infocom game of his or her promised a free Infocom game of their choice. We received millions, maybe billions (actually dozens) of $99 Solution to Information Problems adventurous tall tales, all claim­ (continued from page 1) tion (including membership in ing to be "true." As we read the ages of all single members, pull­ Beth Shalom's many organiza­ ing out the names of those be­ tales, the word "truth" kept designed for. tions) for each member of the tween 21 and 30. Mailing labels coming to mind (as in "There's not one shred of truth here" or You might be asking: Why do I congregation, so it's easy to pro­ could then be printed out for in­ "Doesn't anyone tell the truth need a database? Well, sometimes duce mailing labels for general or vitations to a Young Singles anymore?") . Space (and credibili­ you want to file the same infor­ specific purposes. High holiday Dance. It's a matchmaker's ty) considerations prevent us mation in more than one way. appeals and billings and building delight! from printing the winning tales in That's when a relational database fund pledges and payments are For those at the other end of their entirety, but here are some can save you time, effort, and a recorded, using Cornerstone both life's journey, the cemetery part excerpts: lot of headaches. to produce mailing labels and to of Beth Shalom's database tracks track contributions. Beth cemetery sections and costs, plot "Dr. Kreigschrnidt had built For example, in the Public Shalom's Cornerstone also main­ owners, and individual grave­ rocket engllies in one side of the Relations office here at Infocom, tains listings and billing for the sites. Using Cornerstone, infor­ planet Mars so that at 12:01 a.m . we keep a copy of every article Book of Remembrance, a mation is readily available on the on the 12th of April, he could published about the company or memorial book. owner of a given plot; when it crash Mars into earth!" our products. These are filed by Here's but one example of how was purchased and paid for; who publication in several large file this wealth of information can be is buried there and when the "He grabs m' shirt an' says, cabinets. It's easy to learn what used. Since marital status is also burials took place; whether reser­ 'Wanna hear a good frog joke?'" Time magazine has said about In­ recorded, Cornerstone's data vations have been made for other focom, but finding every review arithmetic could calculate the Please tum to page 12 ''The creature fell dead in my of Planetfall involves hours of foyer. I went to my study, and left searching through file folders. the butler to clean up the mess." Setting up an articles file on Cor­ nerstone, with each article listed InfoNews Roundup ''The monk offered me some of by title, author, subject, publica­ his dry crackers and some thin tion, and date, lets us easily ac­ Once again, Infocom won the tion Plus games) are now chocolate milk, but as a true cess every review of Planetfall, Softsel/Business Week Award available on the Commodore adventurer I stayed on a staple of every article by a given freelance for Most Titles on the Softsel 128. gazelle jerky and plover eggs ." author, or even articles we Hot List, Recreational Software. remember only by title or date of • "I came out into a strange publication. Cornerstone tells us • Many more titles are now world. The people have two exactly where to find what we The Comerstone Book, written available on the Tandy Color arms, but only one head. Cows want, so it's easy to go back into by Laura Buddine and published Computer, including Zork I, eat grass. How can I get home?" the file cabinet and pull it out. by Addison-Wesley, will be Zork II, and Ballyhoo. available in August. It contains ''A warrior hurled a spear at In Pittsburgh, Congregation twenty Cornerstone applications • me. I grabbed it and hurled it Beth Shalom has found a very dif­ in over 250 pages, and costs Zork I is again available for the back, killing the chief. I rowed to ferent use for Cornerstone: it $14.95. Look for it in your local TRS-80 Model ill! the other side of the island and keeps track of the Congregation computer or book store, or order climbed up a mountain. The tribe members and their 80,000 it from Infocom. The Corner­ • came after me, but I started an gravesite cemetery. Quite recent­ stone Book contains the Official Two Infocom products have avalanche which killed them ly, the records for the cemetery Infocom Softball Team Statistics been nominated for Software alone filled an entire wall of filing application, as well as more pro­ Publishing Association awards: Trinity cabinets. To give you an idea of saic (or even useful) items: Cornerstone for Best Packaging (Continued from page 1) what Cornerstone can do with everything from a Personnel and A Mind Forever Voyaging map of the Trinity site, and in­ the information on thousands of system to a Time and Billing for Best New World. structions for folding a paper bird. pieces of paper, here's how Bruce system. Trinity is Brian Moriarty's sec­ Weimer, man of' 1many talents in • ond work of interactive fiction, the Congregation office, arranged • following the record-breaking his. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Playboy named Zork I the best bestseller Wishbringet". Geared Galaxy won the Family Com­ computer game (February 1986). to the standard-level player, Bruce took full advantage of puting award for Best Text-Only Trinity will be available in June Cornerstone's relational abilities Adventure. • for most personal computers with when setting up Beth Shalom's Antic magazine's "Outstanding at least 128K of memory. It will database. He filed names, ad­ • Product Award" was won by In­ carry a suggested retail price of dresses, phone numbers, birth A Mind Forever Voyaging and focom, for the whole Interactive $39.95. El dates, and other general informa- Trinity (our two Interactive Fie- Fiction line (May 1986). El PAGE10 * * * * SPRJNG1986 up band is rumored to be a sur­ by our Witchville reporter). have horns? prise reunion of The Animals. Did you know that: .- Sir Isaac Gnuton discovered Gnu News Pepsi, in response to Coke's re­ .- gnus obtain a shoulder height gravity when an apple fell on one cent marketing ploy, is announc­ of 3 to 4 feet? of his horns? Now for more gnu news. ing Gnu Pepsi. Copies of the .- a gnu calf can run as fast as an .- FDR's "Gnu Deal" was a plan Hot off the wire: Huey Lewis secret formula were leaked to this adult within 24 hours of birth? to employ gnus as blackjack and the Gnus will be giving a reporter, and among the ingre­ .- the white-tailed gnu is extinct dealers? special concert at the Gazebo in dients will be gnu's milk (not in the wild? .- gnus from Gnufoundland the Formal Garden. Their warm- grue's milk as previously reported .- both male and female gnus prefer to eat lobster Gnuburg?

Grand Opening Sale! CRAZY DIMWIT WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD. HE AND HIS PRICES ARE INSANE!

For the past few years I've been supplying lnfocom with all the neat do it. Yes , my lawyers and accountants are calling me insane, and maybe paraphernalia that you'd be willing to kill for (or at least sell your grand­ that's the defense I'll use when lnfocom hauls me into court; but now, for a mother for) . limited time only , while our excessive supplies last, here's what I have to Until now I wasn't crazy enough to even think of cutting out the middleman sell: (lnfocom) and selling direct to the public. But now I'm just crazy enough to

T-Shirts POSTERS! BOY, DO WE HAVE POSTERS!

WISHBRINGER POSTER (Limited supply .:... while they last)

As seen on the cover of Wishbringer, this poster shows the hands of an ex: cessively over-paid male model cup­ ping the purple glowing Wishbringer stone . This unusual and striking piece of art is the perfect addition to any home. Imagine the imagined warmth you 'll feel staring at its serene purple glow . This 22 x 26-inch masterwork is available for the demented low price of only $5.95. Buy two! TRINITY POSTER (Limited supply - while they last) Here is a poster with a bang. This 16 x 20-inch poster is the original art­ work for the cover of the Trinity package . It features a sundial backlit by a nuclear explosion . This one's my favorite because I just love excessively large "I GOT THE BABEL FISH" T-SHIRTS explosions. You could even order the poster the same time you order the game , and enjoy them at the same time . These posters are only $5 .95 each! Just like the one The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy author Douglas Adams Be really excessive and buy three! would be wearing now if we bothered to send him one. It comes in several .sizes: small (S), medium (M), large (L) and ~xcessively Jarge (XL). High-. quality famous-maker brand-name silk-screened 100%-cotton black T-shirt , INFOCOM POSTER with the " I got the Babel fish " slogan on the front and the I nfocom logo on It 's the one you've seen in all the stores, complete with the slogan, " A the back . What do you think you 'd pay for this elsewhere? 100 Zorkmids? human never stands so tall as when stooping to help a small computer." This 200 Zorkmids? Well, we're selling it for only 80 Zorkmids or $7.95 U.S. cur­ 22 x 28-inch, full-color masterpiece was originally sold by lnfocom for rency. (We 're even taking a beating on the exchange rates for you.) Sorry , $5.95' Now, because we have an excessively large number of these fine, art­ we have these in the one-headed models only. like posters , it is available to you for the excessively low price of just $2. Buy 10,000' SPECIAL OFFER To celebrate my grand opening, I USE THE ENCLOSED EXCESSIVE ORDER FORM! have a special offer. If you purchase To order these crazy products , just use the enclosed order form . {I'm using . any game through our mail order the same order form and fulfillment house lnfocom uses so they 'll never catch service , I'll include with your order a. me' Ha ha ha! I must be crazy!) genuine original lark I for the TRS-80 Model I in its original plastic THE HONEST TRUTH .· , baggie (the way we packaged soft- Frankly , none of these products is a nationally advertised ginsu knife, but ·;:fi; ware back in the good old days). Ab­ many a warehouse worker received a nasty paper cut from the posters . We solutely a must for serious collectors are not responsible for typographic errors in this ad. Crazy Dimwit cannot of­ and fans . Offer expires when sup­ fer rain checks for out-of-stock items; after all , this IS a while-supplies-last plies run out. offer, you know. SPRJNG1986 * * * * PAGE 11 The Long Awaited Answers to Puzzle Number 8

Puzzle Number 8 easily qualifies E) Weird! The candle remains lit The Hitchhiker's Guide to L) "Why" as our hardest puzzle ever. There even as it disappears beneath the Galaxy: HIT PROSSER Enchanter: READ THE SIGN were only 28 entries, and only 4 the surface of the river. (before going to the Pub) (the first sign on the Long of them (14%) were correct. Wishbringer: DROP THE Road) Here's the solution: CANDLE INTO THE RIVER I) There is no high from sniff­ Once you've matched the A) You are drunk. ing this powder. F) What a detective! "Quick! response with the number of the Zork II: DIAGNOSE (while Deadline: SMELL THE Arrest that file drawer before corresponding game, the fermented by the Wizard) SUGAR it escapes!" numerical answer is, from A BJ You're going to start sloshing : ARREST THE J) You twist your head to look through L, in order: (2 x 14 x around soon. FILE DRAWER (in Kemp's under the four-poster bed but 16) + (12 x 6 x 15) + (5 x 13 Infidel: DRINK WATER (a Office) find nothing. x 7) + (8 x 9 x 4) = 2271. The third time) G)I'd recommend a good doctor, The Witness: LOOK UNDER four whizzes who got 2271 are: CJ He smiles. "Money is our THE BED (in Mr. Linder's but we need the eggs . 1. Mark Jackson, most important product.'' bedroom) Cutthroats: ASK THE Sorcerer: SIT ON THE Hendersonville, TN PERCH (in Belboz's TELLER ABOUT THE BANK 2. Stephen Fan, Quarters) K) You'll have to lead, you can D)You receive a painful electric be sure of that. Silver Spring, MD shock. HJ He dodges, insisting that this Suspect: DANCE WITH THE 3. John Carter, Richmond, VA Planetfall: KISS FLOYD is incorrect procedure. BODY (Veronica's dead body) 4. Eugene Foss, Flora, IL

And the Not So Long Awaited Answers to Puzzle Number 9

Puzzle Number 9 drew the number 7, Godzilla and Mighty 7. Les Silvan, Kent, WA 17. Steve Spet, Houston, TX highest number of entries for an Joe Young. 8. Tom Lankford, 18. Paul Peigelman, Bayside, NY • • • puzzle since Puzzle 4 from An interesting new statistic is Sevema Park, MD 19. John Lindgren, the Fall 1984 issue. There were the number of entries submitted 9. Sara Memmott, Olean, NY North Babylon, NY 420 entries, of which 228 (54%) on photocopies of the entry form. 10. Martha Shelton, Plano, TX 20. Neil Berry, Akron, OH were correct. Had we known how A lot of people must save their 11. Bill Leininger, 21. Steve Holst, popular this puzzle would be, we issues, because 184 entries (44%) Prospect Heights, IL San Francisco, CA never would've made it so dif­ were photocopied. Correct en­ 12. John Jensen, Fridley, MN 22. David Buchanan, ficult to "grade"! We were fairly tries were more likely to be 13 . David Newkirk, Oregon City, OR flexible on spellings. Here are the photocopied than incorrect en­ Warrenville, IL 23. Harris Schiffman, correct answers: tries (52% versus 34%). 14. Lawrence Nussbaum, Panaroma City, CA Upper Montclair, NJ 24. Gary Moore, San Jose, CA We decided to allow photo­ 15 . Paul Dick, San Jose, CA 25 . Leslie Ann Evans, 1. Charles Foster Kane (from copied entries because people 16. Thomas Grover, Provo, UT Parma, OH. Citizen Kane) (given) complained that they were being 2. Richard (or Rick) Blaine (from forced to cut up their issues. Casablanca) However, a small number of peo­ Puzzle Mail Bag ple seem to be taking advantage 3. Wile E. Coyote (from the Dear Sirs of the new rule by sending in [sic]: Based on the popularity of Puzzl.e Warner Brothers "Roadrunner" 9, there will certainly be more cartoons) large numbers of photocopied en­ I am pleased to find that Infocom tries for their spouses, children, is not perfect. In Puzzle Number puzzles in the future that aren 't 4. Robby the Robot (from Forbid­ second cousins, and pets. There­ dependent on knowledge of In­ den Planet) 9, question number 2, you had fore, we're adding another puzzle the name Louis Renaut. In fact it focom 's interactive fiction. -Ed. 5. Group Captain Lionel Man­ rule to help limit this practice: is actually Renaud who is por­ drake (from Dr. Strangelove) each entry must be mailed trayed by Claude Rains in Dear Infocom: 6. Lassie (from the TV show of separately. Casablanca. Thank you for your Alas! I didn't receive my latest the same name) Overall, people seem to enjoy time. * • • until Monday, 7. Kong (from King Kong) this puzzle quite a bit. We'll prob­ Dan Donahuen, February 24th (our mail is Lake Havasu City, AZ delivered by yak) . Thus the tardi­ Of the 192 wrong answers, 137 ably do a slightly harder version ness of my contest entry. I hope had one wrong, 33 had two of the same concept in a future The • • • stands by its spelling. you will accept it anyhow. wrong, 19 had three wrong, and 3 puzzle. -Ed. Sue Oppenheimer, had four wrong. Number 5 caused The 25 T-shirt winners were Providence,ru the most problems; nearly a third randomly chosen from the 228 Dear Sirs [sic] : of the incorrect entries (62) correct entrants. They are: P.S. Thanks for the change of would've been correct except that I have enjoyed this puzzle pace. I suspect there are many of they were missing ''Lionel.'' 1. Joyce Greenfield, [number 91 more than others I us who would lose our jobs if we Another 37 entrants erred only by Lincoln, NE have seen in the • • • , because I took the time to play ALL the In­ choosing another character from 2. Richard Barclay, have not yet had a chance to get focom games. The • • • puzzles Dr. Strangelove, such as Presi­ Davison, MI ALL the Infocom games, and thus seem to have been getting more den~ Merkin Muffley, Bat Guano, 3. Mitcp Turitz, am at a decided disadvantage in encyclopedic and less fun as the or Dr. Strangelove himself. Richmond, CA that respect. number of games has grown. Some other common mistakes: 4. Jamie Lear, Brooklyn, NY However, I have greatly en­ for number 1, omitting Rick's 5. Tom Landon, joyed all the ones I have seen, Your mail is tardy because it's last name. For number 4, James Los Angeles, CA both for their wit and their logic delivered by yaks! But according Bond, Spock, Doctor Who, Flash 6. Sharon Creekmore, (or lack thereof) . to a recent yak fact I saw Gordon, and Buck Rogers. For Hammond, IN Anonymous Please tum to page 12 PAGE 12 * * * * SPRING 1986

This puzzle is a reprise of one of B. You already did that. It's not the most popular puzzles we've a merry-go-round. done, * * * Puzzle Number Six. C. You have two splitting Puzzle Letters However, that puzzle was based headaches. (Continued from page 11} on Zork I, and this puzzle is based Ah, but that's the wonder of in­ D. Congratulations. The towel somewhere, yaks can travel over teractive fiction! In countless on The Hitchhi.ker's Guide to the is now covered with slime. Gal.axy. 7000 miles in a single day. That showings of the movie version of E. The effect is decorative seems considerably faster than King Kong, poor Kong had no Below are thirteen alleged rather than helpful. responses from Hitchhi.ker's. Ac­ the average U.S . mail carrier! choice; time after time he would F. The bloody thing's been -Ed. escape from the theatre, then tually, only eleven of them are jammed shut for months, really in the game; two of them knock a few subway cars around, now. Puzzle Research Dept.: Ann are fakes . Imposters. To win, then grab Darrow, then G. "We can't leave while The situation described in ques­ simply write down the letters climb the Empire State you're in trouble, Mr. tion 7 of Puzzle Number 9 is in­ corresponding to the two false Building . . . . However, in our President!" correct. When Kong destroyed responses. There are no tricks; for hypothetical. interactive fiction H. "Sorry, current course for the subway train, he had not yet example, the fake responses are version of King Kong, you (as the legendary lost planet of located Ann Darrow, and so he Kong) can do whatever you want, not simply real responses with Magrathea can be counter­ could not be carrying her. order you one word changed. in any choose, because manded only by Zaphod Kenneth Carter, (all together, class) "what hap­ There's another rule change 11 Beeblebrox. Knoxville, MD pens next is up to you!" -Ed. B this month. A number of people I. A footling effort. The shock took advantage of our new photo­ waves of the Beast's laughter copy rule by sending huge num­ push you back. bers of photocopied entries in the J. You see your environs Envelope Design Contest same envelope, often with many upside-down and slightly (Continued from page 2) white paper. Then send it along different names but the same ad­ distorted. Come on - I mean l.t! Let's see with your name, your address, dress. To prevent this, the new K. The sun's light is a perfectly what you can do. In fact, if you the title and computer com­ rule states that all entries must be horrible shade of orange. can do a better job than I - or patibility of the Infocom game mailed separately. We apologize L. The chair is very comfort­ anyone else - then I'll put your you'd like to win, to: for the inconvenience to those able, with a thick plush design on the next * * who legitimately send in their en­ cushion. * envelope. Yeah, that's it! Infocom, Inc. tries together. M. This is one of those clever I'll even give you a free Infocom 125 CambridgePark Drive A. The word "no" is not in our new always-open always­ story of your choice. Yeah, we'll Cambridge, MA 02140 hostess' vocabulary. closed bottles. have a contest! Attn: Cezanne So this is what you do : Come r·------~ up with a design that will fit on The best design will appear on an 8 Y2 11 x 5 Y2" envelope, allow­ the next * * * envelope, and the ANSWER: __ _ _ I ing enough room for an address artist will win the Infocom game and postage land Infocom's of his or her choice. Sorry, but Name: ______return address if it's not part of artwork will not be returned. All your design). Draw it in black ink artwork becomes the property of Address: ------on a clean, unfolded sheet of The Frobozz Gallery of Art. B

T-Shirt Size IS, M, L, XL): ____ Cornerstone Now $99.95 (Continued from page 9) arrangement for a perpetual-care plot. CONTEST RULES: family members; which company Maybe you don't manage a 1. All entries must be submitted on this form or a photocopy of installed the monument and Public Relations office or a r this form. when; and what types of plant­ cemetery. But almost 2. Entries must be received by August 15, 1986. ings or floral arrangements have manages information been ordered and paid for, and the sort, whether at home 3. Limit of one entry per person. care they need. Do you ever find yours aking 4. All entries must be mailed separately. 6 copies of the company report on 5. Up to 25 prizes will be awarded. If more than 25 correct en­ Again, this information can be snack machine vendors in order tries are received, a drawing will be held to determme the used in many different ways. For to file it in 6 different places? Or winners. Void where prohibited by law. example, it would be easy to find looking through hundreds of in­ 6. There is no rule 6. out how many gravesites are still dex cards for your 1983 Phalaen­ available and where they are opsis germination records? Or located, as well as to categorize wishing that you had some way PRIZE: The coveted * * * Puzzle Winner T-Shirt them by cost. This information of cataloging your stamp collec­ could then be sent to current tion as well as the names, ad­ owners, as well as to Congrega­ dresses, and trnstworthiness of tion members who have not yet your rare stamp suppliers? Or try- SEND TO: Infocom, Inc. reserved a gravesite. And Cor­ ing to figure out which of the 700 * * * Puzzle nerstone's "tickler" file can be members of your Zippy the 125 CambridgePark Drive used to remind the Beth Shalom Pinhead fan club haven't yet paid Cambridge, MA 02140 office when to expect a monu­ their dues? If any of these aggrava­ ment installation, and send out a tions sound familiar, then you ------~ second hi Iling, or order a floral need Cornerstone. B