Vol. V/No. 3 -Summer 1986- Lawsuit Edition MOONMIST Get Ready to Spend the Night in a Haunted Castle You've spent the day driving your friend Tamara. A series of southwest from London, from terrifying events have led her to the small brick houses of the believe that someone's trying to suburbs and the treeless plains of kill her. Worse yet, the culprit the South Downs to the Avon seems to be the spectral ' 'White River and the picturesque villages Lady'' that haunts the medieval of the Devon. Now, as evening tower. draws near, you reach the storied Inside the castle, you meet a land of Cornwall. cast of eccentric characters rang On either side, the moors ing from a blue-blood debutante stretch out, filled with heather to an overly helpful butler. Most Moomnist is an introductory-level mystery. and bogs. The fading light of them have seen the ghost, and silhouettes craggy rocks on the some say it looks just like Deir horizon. At last you arrive at your dre, the former lover of Tamara's destination: an ancient castle fiance, Lord Jack Tresyllian. Deir perched on the granite cliffs by dre purportedly drowned shortly LEATHER GODDESSES the sea. after Jack ended their romance. A full moon is rising above the Could it be that she is still alive, castle turrets as you p up to the jealously tal
Moonmist (continued from page l} Moonmist Was Written by. • • heirlooms will have to be sold to Since the puzzles are relatively Jim Lawrence pay off debts. You'll find yourself easy, we recommend Moonmist involved in a treasure hunt as as an excellent introduction to in Who is this mysterious person authored some 60 books of fic well as a mystery, as you search teractive fiction for players of all behind the by-line of Moonmistl tion. Many of his books were the lavish rooms and secret ages. It will fascinate every young No, not Stu Galley - he's the ghosted for juvenile series like passageways of the castle for the girl who loves reading mystery well-known and well-loved inter Nancy Drew and Tom Swift, Jr., hiding place. Clues are given in books about that famous female active writer and gnus reporter but he has also written juvenile the form of riddles, which hold sleuth whose last name rhymes who hangs around the lavish ln and adult paperbacks under his the answers to the puzzles in the with "grue." It will intrigue focom offices on CambridgePark own name. game. every man who wants to be the Reverse Neutral Drive whenever As a successful storyteller in Moonmist has four different Lord of a castle and the consort of he hasn't anything better to do. a seductive Lady. It will captivate many media, Jim learned the art variations, each with its own No, we're talking about Jim of interactive storytelling with puzzles, treasure, hiding place, every woman who imagines her Lawrence, who has written so self as the heroine of a Daphne du impressive ease. Equally impor and solution to the mystery. This many works of fiction that he tant, he's been willing and able to gives Moonmist more replay Maurier novel. And it will delight can't count them accurately. anyone who enjoys riddles, devote considerable effort to a value than any other Infocom creative project for a year or story to date, providing you with puzzles, and the detailed Jim's relationship with Info characters, plots, and atmosphere more, knowing that the end pro plenty of time to savor the gothic com began in the spring of 1983, duct would not make him rich or atmosphere of the castle. that distinguish each Infocom when he saw a column in the game. famous. He writes interactive fic "New York Times* Book Re tion for the best of reasons: for Moonmist also responds dif To introduce you to mysteri view" concerning Deadline® and ferently to male and female ous Cornwall, the package con him, it's challenging, creative, this new medium of computer- and fun to give players a thrill. players. (See the Leather God tains an illustrated copy of . aided interactive fiction. He desses of Phobos article for "Legendary Ghosts of Corn realized at once that he had the Jim is the sort of person who another example of this fine wall." Also included are a Moon proper sort of both experience and remembers anecdotes, unusual feature.) When you arrive at the mist iron-on logo for your daring to bring professional events in the news, and inter castle gate at the start of the· T-shirt; a visitors' guide to Tre writing skills into this medium. esting names. He keeps files of game, you're asked for your title syllian Castle; and two confi So he hopped a plane from the short news clippings. He may and full name. You can take ad dential letters from your friend Garden State to the Bay State, take years developing a character vantage of your elegant surround Tamara. and almost immediately reached in his mind before he'll use the ings by calling yourself ''Baron Moonmist was written by Stu agreement with Infocom to begin character in a story. Wilhelm'' rather than plain old Galley, author of The Witness® a series of projects, beginning And he's a calming influence. "Mr. Bill." and Seastalker, ® and Jim with Seast.olker and now continu As Jim and Stu worked on a story, From your title, the program Lawrence, co-author of Seastalker ing with Moonmist. may deduce your gender and re and author of dozens of books for Jim would make the plot thicker spond accordingly throughout the children and adults, including .. . and thicker and thicker and story. If you're a woman, you numerous Hardy Boys and Nancy In his long career, Jim has thicker. Stu fretted. "Don't have a gown to put on for dinner. Drew stories. Moonmist will be scripted technical training films, worry, Stu," said Jim. "I've got A man's suitcase will contain a available in October for a wide free-lanced magazine articles, ten heroes out of much tougher dinner jacket. Lord Jack will kiss variety of personal computers, at turned out weekly dramatic radio situations than this." a woman's hand. If you're a man, a suggested retail price of $34.95 scripts, written "continuity" for he'll shake yours. And there's for Atari XL/ XE and Commodore newspaper comic strips, and •Not the New Zork Times. another guest who may flirt with 64/128 and $39.95 for all other you. systems.
Dustin Rosing Your Weeldy Horoscope by Omar
LUGNUT (April 3 to May 14) good time to put down those *Use the number "eleven" as readings of Marx and Trotsky, many times as possible this and to really feel good about the week. You have a speck of food ol' red white and blue. on your cheek. There you go . FATTY ACID (July 5 to PANCREAS (May 15 to August 17) June ... oh, let's say 22) *Due to planetary conflicts, •This is a good week to bake your sign has been accidentally muffins at altitudes higher than deleted. Until this situation is 14,000 feet. Consider making a remedied by the proper celestial new friend, preferably one who entities, why not forge a new won't embarrass you in birth certificate under a different restaurants by making loud sign? (Don't pick PANCREAS snorts and clucks. though - you should see what's CRANBERRY (June 23 to July 3) in store for them next week!) *That great-looking power PROTOZOA (August 18 to broker you've had your eye on September 12) just started dating a squash pro. •Be wary of any clones that you Oh well, it looks like you got have made of yourself in the last shot down again. You're really a twenty-four hours. Avoid loser at love. dishpan hands, especially if you MANGE (July 4) live alone, or with a mollusk. •Avoid violent anti-capitalist in FLAMINGO (September 12 to surrection this week. This is a mid-December) SUMMER1986 THE STATUS LINE PAGE3
Leather Goddesses Charles Engebretson &. Mark Cantrell (continued from page 1}
Forever Voyaging:' a sober work froth-at-the-mouth letter. So I of speculative fiction, to write a decided to write something with giddy story like Leather God a little bit of sex in it, because desses of Phobos? We sent a nothing generates controversy reporter to find out: like sex. I'm hoping to get the game banned from Seven-Eleven Reporter: MERETZKY, stores. Finally, I get asked all the HELLO. time, ''When are you guys gonna SM: Howdy! Always happy to do a graphic adventure?" Well, chat with representatives of the we won't add pictures to our media. stories, so this was the only way to create a graphic adventure. Reporter: MERETZKY, TELL ME ABOUT LEATHER GOD Reporter: ASK MERETZKY DESSES OF PHOBOS. ABOUT THE NAUGHTINESS LEVELS . SM: Well, I thought of the title more than four years ago, before I SM: I tried to make them was even writing interactive fic roughly equal to the G, PG, and R tion. Everyone loved the title; it ratings used for movies. I doubt appears in the diary in the new that even the "naughtiest" mode will offend anyone, but why not Starcross® package, and it's the I Cl\l\l'T Be:LIEVE. IT- /\FTE.R_ THR£E. YEARS name of the machine in the ask some of the folks who've ) Festeron arcade in Wishbringer. ® played Leather Goddesses of I'M ANALLY Go1NG To 1<11,L THE WIZI\@! I finally decided that it was about Phobos? time we had a game to match the Greg K. from Rancho Palos name. But there were other Verdes agreed. ''I showed it to my reasons as well . . . . morn, and she decided it was ual content is dependent upon tion: a scratch 'n' sniff card. At the player's input. . . Leather various points in the story, you'll Reporter: STEVE, WHAT ARE 'harmless.' " Goddesses of Phobos is only as be ordered to scratch one of the THE OTHER REASONS? ''None of the sexual content lewd as the player wants it to spots on the card and sniff the SM: I was weaned on pulpy bothered me .. . I was hoping for be." heady odor that results. space opera, and I've always had a more,'' said Steve K. from Tulsa. However, M'gump-kin X. from deep desire to write something in "I wouldn't have much trouble the lesser moon of Falwell VII We'd be remiss if we didn't. that genre. Another reason: A showing the game to my eight told us, "My shrooks and I were mention one additional feature of Mind Forever Voyaging dealt year-old son." greatly offended. The descrip Leather Goddesses of Phobos, with some politically sensitive tions of g'wik-acts were un which is available only in the topics, and I was hoping that it Judith C. from Huntsville, a suitable for thwai'ves or ik-ti'ups IBM version: a "boss key." This would stir up a lot of controversy. self-described conservative Bible to read. By Hoov, if Infocom ever feature makes it "safe" to play It didn't. Not a single flaming Belt southerner, said, ''The sex- wis's!ms this b'h:o'vich, I'll Leather Goddesses of Phobos at th-t!'rop my ig'l%ig!-o'o?ls." work - if your boss should walk ''Enough about the story in on you, just press CONTROL already!'' the marketeers bellow B and hit RETURN. Your screen *It's time to contront that crisis Slurp loudly tonight at dinner. from down the hall. ''Talk about will clear and be replaced by a that's been threatening your life Convert yourself to the metric the awesome packaging!" sample screen from Infocom's for the last month or so. Try a system. Wear a hotdog as a tie. The package features some database, Cornerstone"'! Natural new breath mint. At all costs, Divest. unusual elements which are, as ly, we're not encouraging anyone avoid the Greek alphabet. usual, deeply intertwined with to play Leather Goddesses of LIMPKIN (Those born by con the story itself. Upon spreading Phobos at work - but then again, CADAVER (The rest of tractual obligation) the covers of the package, you'll we do it all the time, so why December to February 3) •A supernova in a distant galaxy be greeted by a '30s-style 3-D shouldn't you? •If you're planning a holiday, has opened new career paths for comic book entitled ''The Adven Leather Goddesses of Phobos is don't leave out Fitzwilliam, you. Take advantage of this tures of Lane Mastodon (#91)" the fifth work of interactive fic New Hampshire, as a possible once-in-a-half-life opportunity, which displays a typically tion by Steve Meretzky, who has stop-over or final destination. and seek employment in organ myopic 1936 vision of 1986, also authored Planetfall® and Exclude curry dishes and fine ized crime or at an artificial turf when the Leather Goddesses are Sorcerer™, and co-wrote The Italian chianti from your diet dealership. once again scheming to conquer Hitchhiker's Guide to the this week. MAN-HOUR (Those not yet humanity. To properly view your Galaxy"' in collaboration with RAWHIDE (February 4 to born, or born in a funny 3-D comic, each package comes Douglas Adams. Leather God April 2) position) well-equipped with a huge pair of desses of Phobos has been given a *It's a good week to break *Don't trust anyone, not even red-blue 3-D glasses. Sliding difficulty rating of Standard promises, commit lude acts, and yourself. Stay inside and keep deeper into the package, you'll Level. Available September 10, in any way harm your fellow your doors and windows locked. come across a handsome parch Leather Goddesses of Phobos will creatures. Then make it up to Carry a loaded shotgun on your ment map of the Catacombs, to run on most personal computers them by reupholstering their person. Begin to hoard canned help you grope your way through and sells for a suggested retail cars and living rooms with food and medical supplies. the ancient burial chambers that price of $34.95 on the Atari shocking-pink nylon. Don't pick up the phone. Don't lie under the palace of the Sultan XL/ XE series, the Commodore DIRIGIBLE (Those born against respond to any chain letters or (or Sultaness, if you're playing as 64, and the Commodore 128; their will) enter in any sweepstakes, even a woman). $39.95 on all other computer •Sell your stamp collection. if you may have already won a The packaging climaxes with a systems. So you don't forget, Bring the world to its knees. fabulous prize. new dimension in interactive fie- order before midnight tonight. PAGE4 THE STATUS LINE SUMMER1986
The Spellbook The Daily Hacker Distributed a Times to Infocom: DROP DEAD Couple of Times a Year Slime's Times U.S. News (or Gnus) and Dun geon Report Gayle's Gazette Dear Frlend: The Shining Sword G.U.E. News (or Gnus) and Once before we have written to Gayle's Tales The Rusty Lantern Dungeon Report ask you to cease and desist your Bud Aku's Review Grues 'R' Us Zork Quarterly mimicry of the logotype and Nerd News The Richard M. Nixon Report on front-page style of The New York Zorkers Quarterly Ethical Actions in Politics Times. Digithead Digest The Yakker It is clear that you are con NZT Great Underground Examiner Gnu Zork Nose scious of copyrights and regis The Four Asterisks (G.U.E.) All This and Zork II tered trademarks - you take !!!! The Great Underground Enquirer The Yak-tual Truth (G.U.E.) steps to protect your own in your !#$%&*! Don't Panic masthead notice and in your tex;t. The Copyright Infringement Ctrl Alt Del This Space Intentionally Left Yet you continue to violate our Times Fresh Frazzled Frobozz Facts, Fal Blank copyright and our registered The Infocom Insider trademark. By so you are lacies, Faces and Farces The Gnu Republic doing, The Infocom Grues endsngering vital Times Com Grue's Vues Yackety Yak Almost the New Zork Times pany assets. The New Grue Review Interactive Fact What's Gnu? I am asking our attomey to The Grue Review Frob Hall Forum take the necessary steps. INFOmation The Gnu Grue Review INFOcommunique Our thanks to everyone who Sincerely yours, The Gnu Review sent in a suggestion. Cliff Tuel of Unicator (referred to as "the U:onard R. Barris The Gnus' Paper San Jose, CA, was the first person Infocom Unicator' ') DJrector, Corporate Relations The Grues' Paper to recommend The Status Line, Infocomments so Cliff wins our prize: a and Public Affaim The 6:00 Grues The New York Times Infocomcepts subscription to The New York The Daily Planetfall Company . Infocolurnns Times. Rolling Zork GUE Today Dimwit's Ditties GUE Herald Popular Adventuring Dear Friend: GUE Gazette Finding Ourselves Popular Zorking As publisher of Bat Poet&, I was Frobozz Free Press upset to leam that yuur new!f:. a Gnu Name The Festeron Gazette The Underground Press letter has been carrying ''Yak This newsletter used to be called No Gnus Today The Underground Grues Facts" for several months The New Zork Times. But some The Daily Catch ("Stick this in The Tunnel Times without my permission. I am in old Gray Lady in New York didn't your ear") censed that many people in the The Tunnel Tattler like that, so we had to change our The Daily Babel Fish ("All the bat industry, who would normal The Basement Bugler name. We asked our readers to news fit to stick in your ear") ly pay good money for top-notch Hello Sailor help us find a new name. Here are The Zorkian Review bat news, have opted instead to but a few of the suggestions we The Zork Report receive your free newsletter, not received: Infocom, Infogo (''What took realizing the essential difference place, I do not know") Zorkshire Pudding The Gnu Yak Times ("All the Zorktown Gazette between my legitimate Bat News gnus' wee feet leave prints") Sargent Blather's Lonely Lifeform and your rip-off Yak Pacts. My Club The Rootinest, Tootinest, Best lawyers will call your lawyers. The Old Zork Times Darn Newsletter in the Known The Infocom Inquirer Ye Olde Zork Times Universe Grues Say Hey Today The New York Times ("Really The Multi-Paged Guide for Ad Love, give them something to complain The Brass Lantern ventures in the Underground Em Jack McBJack about") · The Brash Lantern pire and Other Similar Locations Saranac, NY
Justin Weiss
[Notice to our xeaders: Those wishing to thmaten us with a lawsuit over this issue are encouraged to take a number ODd wait in line. Only one lawsuit per person, please; we want eve.zyone to have a chance. Sorey for the hwonvenience. Have a nice day.}
1- -I ---1- -1- -- 4· I I 1 I 2 I 3 I I 1- --I -1---r- --- I I 5 I 6 I 7 I 8 I •------·- -·- -- (:, P..VE:. l=LAS ~HT ------·-- SUMMER. 1986 THE STATUS I.JNE PAGES Infocom Games in Brief
&mce 1 by Marc Blank and Dave end up swabbb:Jg the decks. When the Lebling (Standard, 1980). The story ship is destroyed, you and your that started it all. T.reasme hunts and f:aithful robot sidekick Floyd must derring-clo in the Great Underground survive on an apparently deserted Empire. planet. • • Zork 11 by Dave LebliDg and Marc Blank (Advanced, 1981). Outwit The H1tdlbiker's Gulds to t1Je Ga1aq by Douglas Adams and Steve dragons, demons, and the Wiz.md of Frobozz. Meretzky (Standard, 1984). Based on the best-selling book. Arthur Dent • doesn't realize his troubles are only beginnbJg when the bulldozer arrives Zorlc Ill by Marc Blank and Dave to demolish his house. Lebling (.Advanced, 1982). Conclu sion of the Zork nilogy. An unusual • goal and acoriDg system highlighted Pomver Voya&tug by Steve by encounters with Dimwit Plathead A MbJd Meretzky (Advanced, 1985). Explore a and the Dungeon Master. frighteningly possible future as • PRISM, the fb:st true artificial in telligena=. Sellator Ryder's Plan looks Bncl-.ant«'by Dave LehliDg and Marc pretty good - or does iri Blank (Standard, 1983). A novice En ~by Dave LebliDg (Advanced, • chanter must save the world from the • 1984). Your editm sends you to cover nefarious Krill. First of a trilogy where SBtl8fll1ker by Stuart Galley and Jim by Steve a society Halloween Party. Then the magic outweighs fighting ability. Leatb81 Gode&ws of Pbobos Lawrence (Introductory, 1984). In Meretzky (Standard, 1986). (See the hostess is murdered, and guess who's ventions to hand and faithful helpers • article in this issue.) the prime suspect? Can you clear yourself before the police arrive? at your side, you rush to rescue the Sozcemr by Steve Meretzky (Ad • Aquadome from the monstrous vanced, 1984). In the midst of Hell • Snark. Dea4JIDs by Marc Blank (Expert, hounds, amusement parks, mazes, 1982). Industrialist Marshall Rohner Ballyhoo"'by Jeff O'Neill (Standard, and flumes, rescue Belboz and defeat • is found dead in his Libmry. An ob 1986). Winding up a day at the circus, the evil demon Jeearr. you become enmeshed in a plot that Crrttbroats® by Michael Berlyn and vious ~ Then why is everyone takes you behind the scenes of The Jerry Wolper (Standatd, 1984). Who • ID f f i"' A 41-l' ~ 'l\wveJUDg Cheas l'lm.e Poqot. needs enemies with frieods lib Pete mystery. That Spellbzeaker"'by Dave LebliDg (Ex • the Rat and Johnny Redr You may be pert, 1985). Conclusion of the En • in with them in a bunt for sunken Moonm.ist by Stu Galley and Jim treasure, but you can't trust them, chsnter nilogy. Magic fails, and you 7JJs WftDeBB by Stuart Galley (Stan must make your way through some of Lawrence (Introductory, 1986). (See and with McGinty on your tail, you datd, 1983). Preeman Linder WllDt8 the article in this issue. J might end up in over your head. the haniest puzzles in interactive fic your help on a little blackmail case, tion to find out why. but before your eyes it becomes a • .liJ/Hll8by Micbael Berlyn (Advanced, • • mmder - his! Set in the 1930s aod in PoobJitzlcy'!' A unique boani game the hard-boiled Raymond Chandler 1983). Deserted by the crew, an in WJshhrJngsr by Brian Moriarty (Intro style. trepid archaeologist probes the played on the computer. A multi ductory, 1985). A simple job of letter myateries of an untouched Egyptian player game with dozens of variations carrying turns sinister, as the town of • .pyramid. and hours of fun. Festeron becomes twisted and ...i --~-~------dangerous. • Envelope (continued from page 12) familiar design gracing the Chris Douglas of Austin, TX; Jeff nmtty"'by Brian Marlatty !Standaid, Nelsen of Torrance, CA; Kevin 1986). 1i"avelliDg through time and coveted position on the envelope. space, you must escape from several your reaction is also very under Savetz of Agoura Hills, CA; We sincerely sympathize. In atomic explosions, to eventually land standable. Day after day you Samuel Shepard of Youngstown, at the New Mexico desert moments agonized over the perfect con fact, the judges of the contest, OH; Marc Sylvester of Spring before the first A-bomb explodes. Can cept, your creative juices churn while highly discriminating, are Valley, CA; and Brian White of you change the course of history? ing until they oozed from your also terribly soft-hearted. With Houston, TX. All six winners every pore in beads of perspira hearts the consistency of will be receiving their prizes • tion. Then you spent hour upon oatmeal, they couldn't bear to within the next few weeks. The &azr:zoss by Dave LebliDg (Expert, hour transferring your creation to limit the contest to just one win five remaining designs will ap 1982). A strange alien artifact enters paper, your heart and soul pour ner. They instead wanted to pear on our future envelopes. • the solar system, and a down-at-the ing from you like the ink flowing declare everybody a winner, but Many thanks to all the great ar heels asteroid miner is drawn into a from the pen. Finally, you spent we had to hold them to six. So, tists who participated, and con puzzle that could give mankind the minute upon painstaking minute the SIX first place winners are: gratulations to the winners. stars. assembling your precious art • work into an envelope, carefully addressing, sealing, stamping and SuapeaclecPby Michael Berlyn (Expert, sending it off to Infocom along 1983). The contmlliDg brain of a ''Please Postpone Poll!'' totally automated planet must repair with your youthful hopes and the system before the planet's in starry-eyed dreams. And now, Due to the overwhelming promised Paula peace and put a habitants "replace" him. after having spent month upon response to Readers' Poll #1, pause to the polling. Paula will month anxiously awaiting the ar Paula the Pollster is too pooped to probably perk up and Poll #2 will • rival of this newsletter, your pop. Paula paled at the piles of appear in the pages of the next Pltmet;frJJl by Steve Meretzky (Stan dreams are shattered and all polls pouring in and pleaded to Status Line. Plenty of thanks for datd, 1983). When you joined the creative energy drains from your postpone poll #2 . We passed your patience and patronage. Space Patml, they didn't say you'd body when you see the un- Paula's plea to the publisher who PAGE 6 THE STATUS LINE SUMMER. 1986
PUZZLE NUMBER ELEVEN COLUMN I M. "My court thanks you most humbly for rescuing the This puzzle is a combination of a matching column and a connect life of my daughter." the-dots. First, match up the quotes in Column I with the character N. "Aha! A thief! Didn't I tell in Column II who said it. You will therefore be matching a letter (or A. ''This has been my desire you that we needed more a pair of letters) with a number. Next, replace the letters on the security!'' connect-the-dots graphic with the matched number. e'er since this charlatan bent Finally, connect the dots in the order of these new numbers. me to his service. I perform 0 . "You may not be aware of (Note that, since there are 45 quotes but only 40 names, five of the this deed with pleasure!'' this, but I'm not working. I quotes will be unused - and five of the dots will be unused as B. "One more step and the need to get repaired." well.) You will produce a graphic that is somehow associated with President of the Galaxy is fried P. "I thought I should come one of Infocom 's twenty-two works of interactive fiction. To meat!" here on the streetcar, in case answer the puzzle correctly, simply give the title of this work. C. ''You reporters have all the you needed help." The answer and winners for Puzzle Number Ten will appear in sensitivity of buffalo. Can't Q . "Frobizz! Frobozzle! Frob the next issue. you leave me alone?" noid!" D . "Uh, no thanks. I prefer to R. ''If anyone tries anything stay near my beach. I don't see stupid, you won't live to regret ANSWER: much yu=y seaweed out it. 11 Name: that way." S. "Squawk! This tea is cold! E. "We have a position for an Get me another cup. Squawk!" Ensign Ninth Class in the T. "I'm gonna use it to find toilet-scrubbing division, you the legendary lost planet of know." Magrathea. Let's go sit in the T-Shirt Size (S, M, L, XL) : F. ''I dinna give a hoot about sauna while I explain." you or your questions! Now, U. " I have a busy appointment begone!" schedule and little time to CONTEST RULES G. "She spake against the waste on trespassers, but for a Church; she tried to poison the small fee I'll show you the 1. All entries must be submitted on this form or a photocopy of mind of a child too young to way out." this form. know the Truth." V. ''Is this ... is this a squash 2. Entries must be received by November 1, 1986. H . "Ragweed!" court?" 3. Limit of one entry per person. I. ' 'My, I wonder what this W. "Detested words! Even 4. All entries must be mailed separately. fine rope is doing here." now it sticks my soul to hear 5. Up to 25 prizes will be awarded. If more than 25 correct entries J. "That's strange! Maybe you them uttered.'' are received, a drawing will be held to determine the winners. should use the Computestor." X. ' 'We could be in danger! 6. Void where prohibited by law, of course. K. "I've heard talk of a merger The Snark may attack again between Dad's company and any time!" PRIZE: The slightly-outdated but still-coveted New Zork Times another one, but I don't think Y. ''He always promised me Puzzle Winner T-Shirt. it's happened yet." wealth here in America, but SEND TO: Infocom, Inc. L. "When we began to ap I've never seen it." The Status Line Puzzle proach your system, I got ex Z. "Guards! Throw this 125 CambridgePark Drive cited! A whole new culture to trespasser into the glass Cambridge, MA 02140 learn!" maze!" (continued)
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Add $2 .00 postage and handling for each game ordered If you - are ordering from outside the U.S., add the export handling charge of $2.00. Make check out in U.S. currency - want air delivery outside the U.S., Canada and Mexico (otherwise mailed surface): add $3.00 per Hint Book Set, T-shirt, or poster; add $8.00 per game; and add $20.00 per Cornerstone TOTAL ENCLOSED
Signature Date INFOCOM Cata log Effective thro1" System Cornerstone Wlshbrlnger Zork I Zork II Zork Ill Enchanter Sorcerer Spellbreaker Deadline Witness
Apple II Series 3 IZO-AP1 IZ1 -AP1 IZ2-AP1 IZ3-AP1 IZ4-AP1 IZ5-AP1 IZ6-AP1 IM1 -AP1 IM2-AP1 (48K, 16-sector) $39.95 $39.95 $44.95 $44.95 $39.95 $44.95 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 Apple Macintosh 3 IZO-AP2 IZ1-AP2 IZ2-AP2 IZ3-AP2 IZ4-AP2 IZ5-AP2 IZ6-AP2 IM1-AP2 IM2-AP2 $39.95 $39.95 $44.95 $44.95 $39.95 $44.95 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 Apricot 3 IZ1 -AC1 3 IZ4-AC1 $39.95 $39.95 Atari XL/XE 3 IZO-AT1 IZ1-AT1 IZ2-AT1 IZ3-AT1 IZ4-AT1 IZ5-AT1 IZ6-AT1 IM1-AT1 IM2-AT1 (48K, 810 or 1050 disk) $34.95 $34.95 $39.95 $39.95 $34.95 $39.95 $44.95 $44.95 $34.95 Atari ST Series 3 IZO-AT2 IZ1-AT2 IZ2-AT2 IZ3-AT2 IZ4-AT2 IZ5-AT2 IZ6-AT2 IM1-AT2 IM2-AT2 $39.95 $39.95 $44.95 $44.95 $39.95 $44.95 $49.95 $49.95 $39.9& Commodore 64 3 IZO-C01 IZ1 -C01 IZ2-C01 IZ3-C01 IZ4-C01 IZ5-C01 IZ6-C01 IM1-C01 IM2-C01 . (1541 disk) $34.95 34.95 $39.95 $39.95 $34.95 $39.95 $44.95 $44.95 $34.95 Commodore 128 3 IZO-C01 IZ1-C01 IZ2-C01 IZ3-C01 IZ4-C01 IZ5-C01 IZ6-C01 IM1-C01 IM2-C01 $34.95 34.95 $39.95 $39.95 $34.95 $39.95 $44.95 $44.95 $34.95 Commodore Amiga 3 IZO-C04 IZ1-C04 IZ2-C04 IZ3-C04 IZ4-C04 IZ5-C04 IZ6-C04 IM1-C04 IM2-C04 $39.95 $39.95 $44.95 $44.95 $39.95 $44.95 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 CP/M (8 " disk, 48K, 3 IZ1-CP1 IZ2-CP1 IZ3-CP1 IZ4-CP1 IZ5-CP1 IM1-CP1 IM2-CP1 Version 2.0 and above) $39.95 $44.95 $44.95 $39.95 $44.95 $49.95 $39.95 DEC Rainbow 3 IZ1-DE2 IZ2-DE2 IZ3-DE2 IZ4-DE2 IZ5-DE2 IM1-DE2 IM2-DE2 (CP/M option) $39.95 $44.95 $44.95 $39.95 $44.95 $49.95 $39.95 DEC Rainbow 3 IZO-IB2 IZ1-IB2 IZ2-IB2 IZ3-MS1 IZ4-MS1 IZ5-MS1 IZ6-IB2 IM1-MS1 IM2-MS1 (MS-DOS Option) $39.95 $39.95 $44.95 $44.95 $39.95 $44.95 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 Epson QX-10 3 IZ1-EP1 3 IM2-EP1 $39.95 $39.95 IBM Series BC1-IB1 IZO-IB2 IZ1-IB2 IZ2-IB2 IZ3-IB2 IZ4-IB1 IZ5-IB2 IZ6-IB2 IM1-IB2 IM2-IB2 (DOS 2.0, 96K and disk) $99.95 $39.95 $39.95 $44.95 $44.95 $39.95 $44.95 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 Kaypro II 3 IZO-KA1 IZ1-KA1 IZ2-KA1 IZ3-KA1 IZ4-KA1 IZ5-KA1 IZ6-KA1 IM1-KA1 IM2-KA1 CP/M $39.95 $39.95 $44.95 $44.95 $39.95 $44.95 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 MS-DOS2.0 3 IZO-IB2 IZ1-IB2 IZ2-IB2 IZ3-MS1 IZ4-MS1 IZ5-MS1 IZ6-IB2 IM1-MS1 IM2-MS1 (IBM PC format disk) $39.95 $39.95 $44.95 $44.95 $39.95 $44.95 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 NECAPC 3 IZ1 -NE2 IZ2-NE2 IZ3-NE2 IZ4-NE2 IZ5-NE2 IM1-NE2 IM2-NE2 (CP/M-86) $39.95 $44.95 $44.95 $39.95 $44.95 $49.95 $39.95 NEC PC-8000 3 IZ1-NE1 IZ2-NE1 IZ3-NE1 IM1-NE1 (56K CP/M) $39.95 $44.95 $44.95 $49.95 Osborne 3 IZ4-0S1 IZ5-0S1 3 IM2-0S1 (CP/M) $39.95 $44.95 $39.95 PDP-11 3 IZ1-DE1 IZ2-DE1 IZ3-DE1 IZ4-DE1 IZ5-DE1 IM1-DE1 IM2-DE1 (RT-11 , RX01 disk or $39.95 $44.95 $44.95 $39.95 $44.95 $49.95 $39.95 under RT-11 emulator) TI 99/4A (48K expansion, disk, IZ1-Tl2 IZ2-Tl2 IZ3-Tl2 IZ4-Tl2 IZ5-Tl2 IM1-Tl2 IM2-Tl2 one of the following : $39.95 $44.95 $44.95 $39.95 $44.95 $49.95 $39.95 Extended Basic, Mini-Memory, Editor/Assembler) TI Professional 3 IZO-IB2 IZ1-Tl1 IZ2-Tl1 IZ3:fl1 IZ4:fl1 IZ5-Tl1 IZ6-IB2 IMHl1 IM2:fl1 $39.95 $39.95 $44.95 $44.95 $39.95 $44.95 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 TRS-80 Model I 1 IZ2-TA1 IZ3:fA1 IZ4-TA1 IZ5-TA1 IM1 -TA1 IM2:fA1 (48K and disk) $44.95 $44.95 $39.95 $44.95 $49.95 $39.95 TRS-80 Model Ill 3 IZ1-TA3 IZ2-TA3 IZ3-TA3 IZ4-TA3 IZ5:fA3 IM1-TA3 IM2-TA3 (48K and disk) $39.95 $44.95 $44.95 $39.95 $44.95 $49.95 $39.95 TRS-80 Colar Computer 3 IZO:fA4 IZ1-TA4 IZ2:fA4 IZ3-TA4 IZ4-TA4 2 IM2-TA4 (48K and disk) $34.95 $34.95 $39.95 $39.95 $34.95 $34.95 lnvisiClues 3 IZO-INV IZ1 -INV IZ2-INV IZ3-INV IZ4-INV IZ5-INV IZ6-INV IM1-INV IM2-INV $7.95 $7.95 $7.95 $7.95 $7.95 $7.95 $7.95 $7.95 $7.95
lnfocom interactive fiction titles for the Hewlett Packard 110/150, Tandy 1000, 1200, and 2000, and Royal Alphatronic
NOTE: These games require 128K. * NOTE: This game requires 512K. 1 Available exclusively through respective machine manufacturer. 2 Not available at this time. 3 Not available. 4 NOTE: Requires IBM PC, XT, AT or 100% compatible; PC DOS 2 .0, 2.1, 3.0, or 3.1 ; Minimum 384K; 2 floppy disk drives or 1 floppy & 1 hard disk drive. s NOTE: Requires graphics card; Composite monitor recommended ; Not available for PCjr. lumbers and Prices LJQh 12/31 /86
Leather Suspect Ballyhoo Moon mist Starcross Suspended Planetlall Hitch hiker Infidel Seastalker Culthroats Goddesses Sampler
IM3-AP1 IM4-AP1 IM5-AP1 IS1-AP1 IS2-AP1 IS3-AP1 IS4-AP1 IA1 -AP1 IA2-AP1 IA3-AP1 IC1-AP1 ID2-AP1 $39.95 $39.95 $39.95 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 $39.95 $44.95 $39.95 $39.95 $39.95 $7.95 IM3-AP2 IM4-AP2 IM5-AP2 IS1-AP2 IS2-AP2 IS3-AP2 IS4-AP2 IA1-AP2 IA2-AP2 IA3-AP2 IC1-AP2 3 ID2-AP2 $39.95 $39.95 $39.95 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 $39.95 $44.95 $39.95 $39.95 $39.95 $7.95 3 IS3-AC1 IS4-AC1 3 IA2-AC1 IA3-AC1 $39.95 $39.95 $39.95 $39.95 IM3-AT1 IM4-AT1 IM5-AT1 IS1-AT1 IS2-AT1 IS3-AT1 IS4-AT1 IA1-AT1 IA2-AT1 IA3-AT1 IC1 -AT1 GS1-AT1 ID2-AT1 $34.95 $34.95 $34.95 $44.95 $44.95 $34.95 $34.95 $39.95 $34.95 $34.95 $34.95 $39.95 $7.95 IM4-AT2 IM5-AT2 IS1-AT2 IS2-AT2 IS3-AT2 IS4-AT2 IA1-AT2 IA2-AT2 IA3-AT2 IC1-AT2 39.95 $39.95 $39.95 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 $39.95 $44.95 $39.95 $39.95 $39.95 3-C01 IM4-C01 IM5-C01 IS1-C01 IS2-C01 IS3-C01 IS4-C01 IA1-C01 IA2-C01 IA3-C01 IC1 -C01 3 ID2-C01 $34.95 $34.95 $34.95 $44.95 $44.95 $34.95 $34.95 $39.95 $34.95 $34.95 $34.95 $7.95 IM3-C01 IM4-C01 IM5-C01 IS1-C01 IS2-C01 IS3-C01 IS4-C01 IA1 -C01 IA2-C01 IA3-C01 IC1-C01 3 ID2-C01 $34.95 $34.95 $34.95 $44.95 $44.95 $34.95 $34.95 $39.95 $34.95 $34.95 $34.95 $7.95 IM3-C04 IM4-C04 IM5-C04 IS1-C04 IS2-C04 IS3-C04 IS4-C04 IA1-C04 IA2-C04 IA3-C04 IC1-C04 $39.95 $39.95 $39.95 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 $39.95 $44.95 $39.95 $39.95 $39.95 3 IS1-CP1 IS2-CP1 IS3-CP1 IA1-CP1 IA2-CP1 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 $44.95 $39.95 3 IS1-DE2 IS2-DE2 IS3-DE2 IA1-DE2 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 $44.95 IM3-MS1 IM4-IB2 IM5-IB2 IS1-MS1 IS2-MS1 IS3-MS1 IS4-IB2 IA1-MS1 IA2-MS1 IA3-IB2 IC1-IB2 3 ID2-IB2 $39.95 $39.95 $39.95 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 $39.95 $44.95 $39.95 $39.95 $39.95 $7.95 3 IS4-EP1 3 IA3-EP1 $39.95 $39.95 IM3-IB2 IM4-IB2 IM5-IB2 IS1-IB2 IS2-IB1 IS3-IB2 IS4-IB2 IA1-IB2 IA2-IB2 IA3-IB1 IC1-IB2 ID2-IB2 $39.95 $39.95 $39.95 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 $39.95 $44.95 $39.95 $39.95 $39.95 $7.95 IM3-KA1 2 IS1 -KA1 IS2-KA1 IS3-KA1 IS4-KA1 IA1-KA1 IA2-KA1 IA3-KA1 3 ID2-KA1 $39.95 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 $39.95 $44.95 $39.95 $39.95 $7.95 IM3-MS1 IM4-IB2 IM5-IB2 IS1-MS1 IS2-MS1 IS3-MS1 IS4-IB2 IA1-MS1 IA2-MS1 IA3-IB2 IC1-IB2 3 ID2-IB2 $39.95 $39.95 $39.95 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 $39.95 $44.95 $39.95 $39.95 $39.95 $7.95 3 IS1-NE2 IS2-NE2 IS3-NE2 IA1-NE2 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 $44.95 3 IS1-NE1 $49.95 3 IS2-0S1 IS3-0S1 IS4-0S1 IA1-0S1 3 IA3-0S1 3 ID2-0S1 $49.95 $39.95 $39.95 $44.95 $39.95 $7.95 3 IS1-DE1 IS2-DE1 IS3-DE1 IA1-DE1 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 $44.95
3 1s1.:r12 1s2.:r12 1s3.:r12 IS4-T12 IA1.:rl2 3 IA3.:rl2 3 ID2.:r12 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 $39.95 $44.95 $39.95 $7.95
IM3-IB2 IM4-IB2 IM5-IB2 IS1-Tl1 IS2-Tl1 IS3-Tl1 IS4-IB2 IA1.:rl1 IA2-IB2 IA3-IB2 IC1-IB2 3 ID2-IB2 $39.95 $39.95 $39.95 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 $39.95 $44.95 $39.95 $39.95 $39.95 $7.95 3 IS1-TA1 IS2-TA1 IS3.:rA1 IA1-TA1 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 $44.95 3 IS1-TA3 IS2-TA3 IS3-TA3 IS4-TA3 IA1-TA3 IA2-TA3 3 ID2-TA3 $49.95 $49.95 $39.95 $39.95 $44.95 $39.95 $7.95 2 IM4-TA4 2 IS3-TA4 IS4-TA4 IA1-TA4 2 ID2.:rA4 $34.95 $34.95 $34.95 $39.95 $7.95 IM3-INV IM4-INV IM5-INV IS1-INV IS2-INV IS3-INV IS4-INV IA1-INV IA2-INV IA3-INV IC1-INV $7.95 $7.95 Avail.12/86 $7.95 $7.95 $7.95 $7.95 $7.95 $7.95 $7.95 Avail.11/86
: personal computers are available through their respective manufacturers.
ZORK, ENCHANTER, DEADLINE, The WITNESS, STARCROSS, SUSPENDED, PLANETFALL, INFIDEL, SEASTALKER, CUTTHROATS, SUSPECT, and WISH BRINGER are registered trademarks, and CORNERSTONE, BALLYHOO, TRINITY, SORCERER, SPELLBREAKER, A MIND FOREVER VOYAGING, FOOBLITZKY, LEATHER GODDESSES OF PHOBOS, MOONMIST, and lnvisiClues are trademarks of lnfocom, Inc. THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY is a trademark of Douglas Adams. INFOCOM POSTERS and INFOCOM T-SHIRTS Effective through 12/31/86
Leather Goddesses Wishbringer Trinity lnfocom Product Poster Poster Poster Poster Catalog # IC1-POS IZO-POS IZ7-POS INF-POS and Price $5.95 $5.95 $5.95 $2.00
LEATHER GODDESSES POSTER! WISHBRINGER POSTER! TRINITY POSTER!
Leather Leather Leather Leather Babel Babel Babel Babel Goddesses Goddesses Goddesses Goddesses Fish Fish Fish Fish T-Shirt T-Shirt T-Shirt T-Shirt T-Shirt T-Shirt T-Shirt T-Shirt Product Small Medium Large X-Large Small Medium Large X-Large Catalog # ICHSS ICHSM IC1.:Y-SL 1c1.:rsx IS4-TSS IS4.:Y-SM IS4-TSL IS4-TSX and Price $9.95 $9.95 $9.95 $9.95 $7.95 $7.95 $7.95 $7.95
LEATHER GODDESSES T-SHIRT! BABEL FISH T-SHIRT!
BACK BACK SUMMER 1986 THE STATUS LINE PAGE7
AA. "This is surely a terrible JJ. "You're going to be a hero, COLUMN II 21. Anatinus (Wishbringer) waste of time, not to mention you know. You'd probably get a 22. Gurthark-tun-Besnap upsetting, having all these call from the President con 1. Hoobly (Spellbreaker) (Starcross) police marching around the gratulating you .. . . " 2. The Evil One (Wishbringer) 23. The Wizard of Frobozz house-" KK. ''Take the victim to the 3. Abraham Perelman (A Mind (Zork II) BB. "You should not even be tower. I shall prepare for the Forever Voyaging) 24. Johpny Red (Cutthroats) sacrifice!" here. You will disturb our 4. Monica Linder (The Witness) 25. Zaphod Beeblebrox (Hitch rest." LL. ' 'We will need that boat 5. The Dtingeon Master hiker's Guide) after all." (Zork ill} CC. "My sister was a fool to 26. Pollibar (Sorcerer) MM. ''Do this. Pick up that. 6. Corky Crisp (Wishbringer) send the likes of you on such a Unjam the opening mechanism 27. The Volcano Gnome quest!' ' of the other." 7. The Vogan Captain (Hitch (Zork II} hiker's Guide) 28. Floyd (Planetfall) DD. "Here come da clone, here NN. "Can't you talk this copper come da clone." into letting me loose?" 8. The Detective (Suspect) 29. Sergeant Duffy (The EE. "A courtly gentleman, isn't 00. "I am not permitted to 9. Krill (Enchanter) Witness) he? That black cape makes him enter the prison cell. 11 10. Poet (Suspended) 30. Iris (Suspended) look almost cuddly." PP. ''Daydreaming again, eh? 11. Belboz (Spellbreaker) 31. Dimwit Flathead (Zork ill} FF. "If he's going to read us his I've been looking everywhere for 12. Zoe Bly (Seastalker) 32. Tip Randall (Seastalker) poetry, just pray he softens us you!" 13. Phong (The Witness) 33. The Thief (Zork I) up with some cudgels first . .. . '' QQ. "Bleem miserable venchit! 14. Alicia Barron (Suspect) 34. The Turtle (Enchanter) GG. "Mmm. Just like Mom Bleem forever mestinglish 15. The Cyclops (Zork I) 35 . Trillian (Hitchhiker's Guide) used to make 'em." asunder £rapt." 16. McGinty (Cutthroats) 36. Michael Wellman (Suspect) HH. "If you won't tum it off, I RR. "Just because he's a boor will. I can't take the noise any doesn't make him guilty." 1 7. Marvin (Hitchhiker' s Guide) 37 . Blather (Planetfall) more." SS . ''I have waited three ages for 18. The Navigational Computer 38. Angus McNabb (Deadline) II. ''The last vat, I swear it, someone to say those (Starcross) 39. Mitchell Simm (A Mind tasted as if grues had been words . .. . " 19. Leslie Rohner (Deadline) Forever Voyaging) bathing in it. I I 20. Duncanthrax (Sorcerer) 40. The Demon (Zork II} Letters About Our Puzzles Dear Infoco~es: D~ar Sirs (sic): - (or is it "Dear Casablanca, edited by Richard learning to read JUST so they can You guys must be a hoot to Sick Sirs"?) [.Anobile (also -a treasure of a p lay Infocom games : T eel mal work around. Do you have an Dan Donahuen of Lake Havasu book). igned. I buy Infocom games for opening for an environmental City, Arizona, wrote to the puz According to our source, flsa our family. While one person is engineer I classical tenor I profes zle mail bag to challenge Info never calls Bogey "Eric. " In fact, playing a game, many members sional wrestler? I'm your man. com' s spelling of the name Louis she calls him Richard on a num of the family are involved in the Seriously, though, I had to Renaut (in Puzzle #9). Actually, ber of occasions. During the game. (What is so funny, how did write concerning one of your both Infocom and Donahuen are flashback in Paris, she says, you get the babel fish, etc.) answers to Puzzle #9. There is a wrong. Enclosed is a copy of a "Richard, they'll find out your Because I feel that Infocom scene in Casablanca in which Ilse page from the printed script of record. It won't be safe for you games are assets to our family (that's right, Ilse, not llsa as you Casablanca, from Casablanca, here. " The note that Sam hands life, I will continue to buy each spelled it - it's my mother's Script and Legend by Howard him on the train platform is ad game as it is introduced. That name) Lund clearly calls Rick Koch (a treasure of a book!). dressed to "Richard. " Later, means at least seven people in Blain ' 'Eric. 1 1 Do you have any As you see, the Prefect of when she goes to his room during our family will play the game. direct evidence that the charac Police is clearly "Renault," just the night to ask him for the let Now, I am not a selfish mother, ter's first name was in fact like the auto: not "Renaud" ters of transit, she says, "Richard, but I want to be able to enter the Richard, or are you merely as (Donahuen) or "Renaut" (In I had to see you " (to which Rick contests also. Would you dis suming that "Rick" is always focom). · replies, "So, it's Richard again! criminate against me just because short for "Richard"? If you aren't Howard Russell We 're back in Paris.") Major I'm the wife and mother of all sure, I invite you to rent the VCR Charleston, WV Strasser also refers to him as these "Infocommies" and I've and check. I believe the scene in "Richard" when reading his only had time on the computers question is the first between Rick dossier, and Sam calls him to finish one game myself? After and Ilse, and it occurs about 20 [Puzzle Editor's Reply: Okay, "Mister Richard" when he isn't let's get this silly spelling all, I'm supporting you by pur minutes into the film. You can calling him "Boss. "Anyway, the chasing your products for birth business straight once and for all. also check the credits for all this point is made, the evidence is days, Christmas, and just because Ilse/ Ilsa and Renaud/ Renaut/ In Puzzle #9, in the Winter 1986 overwhelming, but I'll rent the issue, we correctly spelled the there is a new game available. Renault spelling business (damn videotape anyway, since I haven't Some of my children greet me furriners, why couldn't she be Prefect's name as "Renault. " watched it in over a month.} each afternoon by asking me if Jane and he be Ford - think When we printed reader Dona huen 's letter, in the Spring 1986 [the Infocom newsletter] came about it) . They could even set it Dear [something]: in Whitehouse, Texas (it's ten issue, it was misspelled due to a today. Even if it comes in my miles south of Tyler). typo. The sentence in his letter I am disturbed by your com name, they feel a proprietary I look forward to trying Trinity that reads " . . . you had the name ments on the puzzle entries. right. and A Mind Forever Voyaging. Louis Renaut" should have read Perhaps you feel that only one Do you know how many The concept of both is intriguing. " . . . you had the name Louis person in each family plays an In games I have had to buy to feed And hurry up with the sequel to Renault. " focom game. As an Infocom the family's habit? Also, we have Hitchhiker's! As for our "flsa " vs. reader player, the wife of an Infocom addicted other families to this Donehoo's "flse, " we stand by player, and the mother of seven wicked pastime. We get calls at Mike Donehoo our spelling. Our source, by the (five of whom are avid Infocom Marietta, GA way, is The Film Classics Library players and the remaining two are (more Puzzle Letters on page 9} PAGES THE STATUS LINE SUMMER1986
Koh on Double Fanucci Alisa Hickey Let's look at the following situation: TO.'t'\'C... \1Jf'lQ..'v-..'oox. Teams: North & Up, Southwest & East G;~~ M't.. 0. \");'b'b. Wann Diplomatic Relations: North & Up Go 'i:...o..
SOUTHWEST (dealing across table} EAST (dealing 2nd, 3rd*} 1r--1097, 2 1r--2, A, K, Alan dJ:b [none) dJ:b Bromium, J cf:i opposite cf:ipoints within the shaded Cartoon Flow Unabated area OD white, lJlllined peflef. Pbse h 2, 4, Bishop, K h 3, K, H, N don't fold your cartoon! All sub A Blue-Gray A Tangerine-Orange, Black, Q misaicms become pmperty of Jn.. 58!: Melon, 5, Granola 58!: Cottage, 9, Chaise .fioeom. If we print JOU1' cartoon, 0o0 3, 3, 3, 3, Q 000 2, 3, 3 *Note the co-deal Up and East!
This set-up occurred in 904, at letters in his possession, to gain the annual Championships at control of the gauntlet for three Borphee. Veldran of Aragain and turns. North, hoping for Manhat BoBo the Somewhat Misguided tan,signalled for a1fiswitch, and played (respectively) North and exchanged his - 2 for his Hydroniurnlonof dJ:b and the 4 of resulting confusion. Up passed, Up, challenging Hobart the partner's 84, a difference of 86. cfo . As North restored himself to to cuddle his J}s . Unmerciful and Snuffie (playing BoBo factored an 11 out of his 77 his seat, East dealt a round of Things looked grim for N-U, Southwest and East). Since .the of 000 , and formed a straight, cards [out of turn). . their combined score so tiny that SW-E team controlled "Alan, 11 which he traded in for an option it was immeasurable since the they were able to make a deci on the movie rights. North, Turn two began, and the microscope hadn't yet been in players revolved. Snuffie, draw sion. Southwest arcwelded his Q monopolizing on a distraction in vented. But, as is customary in and K to his partner's Q and K for the bleachers, seized his mis ing a R.ea ·of A, mixea it with the Tangerine-Orange and Black tournament play, luck saw to it a Simpleton. Jazzing, East formed placed cards and incorporated that the underdog wasn't tram the word "ANKH" from various them into his hand - the of,A, as well as hispartner'sBlue Gray, in order to produce aghast pled. As Southwest dealt across ly shade of brown. After a brief the table, Snuffie fell over pause, the judges raised their backwards clutching his ham Jeff James placards - a 9.8, a 9.77 and a string. The medical crew, rushing "nice job.11 A new championship onto the field, confirmed that he record! Southwest drew another was suffering from a broken trebled fromp, therefore control wrist, and dragged him to the ling more 3's than any other sidelines. Southwest tossed his player, and thus was allowed to cards into the air and unleashed a roll again. Rolling a four, Hobart long string of expletives about declared "Argyle!" for which he elks. After much consultation, received ten points and a chance both teams agreed to end the at the trip for two to Arulis Map game in a draw and order out for tar. Poker-faced, Veldran bluffed, pizza, making this the 72nd year claiming that he had, in fact, won in a row that the tournament the game several turns ago. Un closed without a confirmed win convinced, team SW-E chal ner. Nevertheless, the fans swept lenged, winning the judges' favor. onto the field and ate the To conserve pride, Veldran ion goalposts - a true Double Fanuc ized his Hydroniurn Ion and his ci tradition. Water Molecule of dJ:b , to form a [Reprinted with permission strong acid. Some cards were ac from the Borphee Digest, vol. cidentally dissolved in the MMCXXI, p. 879] SUMMER.1986 THE .STATUS LINE PAGE9
the computer! So, generous and an axe. Anyhow, I soon lost in P.S. I have an excellent monitor Weird Letter sharing person that I'd like to terest in the game altogether. for sale. It has only been used think that I am, I invited a friend To anyone who reads this, I once, but I recommend discon over to play with me. suggest playing Zork without a necting it when playing Infocom Dear Sirs [sic]: When my friend got there I monitor. It's much more games. Recently I read the trademark eagerly started up the game. But challenging. information on the back of one of then my friend asked, "Hey, Disgruntedly yours, [Editor's Reply: We find it hard to your pamphlets and became ter don't you need a monitor to play Tom Schwartz believe that your lawyer sai.d In ribly interested in interactive fic this?" I'm outraged!!! It's Raleigh, NC focom is faI above the law.] tion. So, one fine afternoon, I discrimination of the second to marched down to the computer the worst kind!!! store and purchased your famous My lawyer again reminded me Zork I. When I got home, I ripped that Infocom is far above the law 1T's A BIRD,,, ITS A Danny Simon &. Mark Cantrell off all the plastic and sat down to and I should keep quiet, lest I be read the manual. visited by a slue of grues. So I PLANE,,, No, IT~ .. , After about an hour or so, I resorted to buying a monitor. began to realize that this game re When I got home, I connected I quired the use of a computer! I'm the monitor and invited my outraged!!! It's discrimination of friend over to play again. When the worst kind!!! he arrived, I booted the computer Immediately I dashed off to my and we listened to the incredibly ~ft~"? lawyer's office and had a chat fascinating noises the disk drive with him. He assured me that made. But then, to our utter Infocom was far above the law disappointment, words began to and there was nothing I could do . appear on the screen. Such horri So, I resorted to purchasing an ble description! Such grotesque IBM-PC . exaggeration! I had always be I immediately put the disk in lieved the White House was the drive and booted the com much bigger than that! And puter. Superb! The best game I've where was the President and all ever had! I was fascinated by all his Secret Service men? It wasn't those sophisticated electric totally void of life though: I did sounds of the disk spinning inside find a maid in the basement with
Puzzle Letters (continued from page 7) all hours trom some soul asking tunately, when an envelope aI- Aunt Judie how you get- the k rives filled with photocopied en- from the Unicom or asking Uncle tries from John Smith, Tabby Delbert how you get the grue's Smith, Rex Smith, and Daisy milk. Smith, we have no way of know- So - how about one envelope ing whether they aie all legiti- per household? Allowing photo- mate, or whether John is merely copies is nice. When we had to entering his cat, dog, and sheep in send you the original, we kept a the contest in order to multiply photocopy; and I had to be a his chances. It would be nice if Solomon to decide who got to nobody cheated, but experience enter the contest that time. shows that this simply isn't the case. For example, we limit en Judie Eatough tries to one per person, but never Provo, UT theless we still find people who enter multiple times. (By the {Puzzle Editor's Reply: Don't way, when this occurs we simply grumble, b.xause the one-entry ignore all the entries from that per-envelope rule really doesn't person.) discriminate against you. Actual Don't grumble, because we feel ly, it merely prevents you from that the one-entry-per-envelope I C.AN'r lJSE having an additional advantage rule is the fairest method, even Mlll.TI P<..e: over entrants who ARE the only ·though some members of the vast DIRECr player at their address. You honest ma;ority have to be incon OBJ"EC.TS already en;oy an advantage in venienced a little. CJJ ITH puzzles that such solo Infocom Don't grumble, ;ust think of mies don't have: the seven-heads how much better things have "R~sc,uE': . are-better-than-one advantage. (It been for you since we began would, of course, be just plain sil allowing photocopies! Would you ly to have a rule which said ''You rather go back to the system must do ·the puzzle on your own where multiple entries could be without any help from anyone put in one envelope, but you had .· .. else.") to cut up your issuet Don't grumble, because the And finally, don 't grumble! It's goal of our puzzle rules is to max only a silly little puzzle! It's sup imize the number of people who posed to be fun! Diverting! Enter TUNE lN !\GAIN NEXT TIMe: WHEN INFOl'lAN can enter, while attempting to taining! Grumble about taxes or eliminate cheating or ploys to toxic waste dumps, not the puz t>oe.s FlVE TO TEN FOR TAX EVflSION IN gain unfair advantages. Unfor- zl.e!} "I DON'T UNDERSTAND 'THAT SENTENC.E" PAGElO THE STATUS LINE SUMMER.1986 Infocom Puzzles Chicago
The Summer Consumer Elec Head towards the only foun tronics Show, held in Chicago tain you can see. When you each year in early June, is the reach it, climb the traditional time for software ______stairs. companies to introduce the ''Fall Product Line." At this year's At the first landing, continue CES, Infocom introduced three in the same direc new stories: Trinity (which you tion the lobby is fac read about in the last issue), ing. Stop when you are sur Leather Goddesses of Phobos, and rounded by the columns and Moonmist. the aboriginal guards. The new games were intro duced at a BYOB (''Bring Your At three places along the path AUTHORS OF Own Brain") Party held at were exhibits reminiscent of the J:ilT _~_!::.ftP KE R'S GUIDE Chicago's Field Museum of three games being introduced. In Natural History. Guests relaxed formation from those three ex in the spacious and elegant hibits was manipulated to pro museum, then were entertained duce the ultimate answer (and (and presumably edified) by In no, it wasn't 42) . focom's John O'Leary (VP of The more sedentary team News Inside Infocom Marketing), Brian Moriarty · members could eat, drink, and (author of Trinity), Steve Meretz socialize while watching their YOU TELL ME: There's a certain Hyundais. We're anxiously ky (author of Leather Goddesses tearnrnates' progress on a huge school of thought around this awaiting the bug reports on these of Phobos), wd Stu Galley scoreboard, and the less sedentary place that maintains that you babies! TRAVEL NEWS: Every (author of Moonmist). had the pleasure of exploring the puzzle-punks and zombies Zork summer, they flock in like lem Then we made the guests nooks and crannies of the Field could care less about the bitingly mings . . . Yes, along with work. Each, on registering, had Museum. It was a close contest, beautiful reality that is Infocom. Plymouth Rock, Harvard Yard, been assigned to one of six teams. with five of the six teams in a On the other hand, there are and Faneuil Hall, Infocom is Each team ended up with about dead heat going into the Road others who say, "They'll take always an important stop for fifty people on it. The teams were Rally. The Orange team was vic anything we feed 'em, and they'll many travellers when they're sent out into the museum in torious, and each member of the love it. If they don't, we'll turn visiting the Boston area. This search of the answers to eighteen winning team won a lovely up the juice ... 11 HOOKED: year the first person to pass sneaky questions. For example, "Bri,i;lg Your Own BraiJJ." sweat Many here- at Infocom are dosea - through the front gate was Derek "The oldest Canadian in the shirt personally distributed by out on Shanghai, a new product from the Buckeye state of Ohio. main hall of the museum'' turned contest authors Steve Meretzky from our California brothers at In commemoration of his pil out to be a 65-million-year-old and Dave Lebling. Activision. . . EDUCATION: grimage, he was presented with a dinosaur. The answer to these Ace apprentice Infotestor Matt personally autographed business teasers were used to fill in the Raiders of the Lost Box Hillman is off to be a Yalie, while card by Steve Meretzky . . . One blanks in the instructions for an The most critical component of Tester Tom Bok, the son of the of the high points of the summer on-foot " Road Rally." The Road the vast InfoEffort for the BYOB president of Harvard, is rejecting season is Hollywood's Concord Rally sent the teams all over the Party was the contest. Info college at this time in favor of a River canoe safari. This year, the museum, following cryptic direc Authors Meretzky and Lebling tour of the Australian thrash rock S.S. Bud, a shallow-draft beer tions. For example: were flown to Chicago to scout music scene . . . SPORTIVO hauler, was added to the flotilla. CITY: Once known for his The good ship Bud proved to be (continued) napkin-sized ties, game-writer very seaworthy; however, the Brian Moriarty is now showcas crew sank . . . PRODUCT ing a brand new GOLD chain. If BRIEFS: In response to the re you people will buy Trinity, quest for product ideas, one maybe we could fit him out with reader felt that undergarments some Gucci loafers . .. WIGGED emblazoned with the Wishbr OUT: Linda Mazzotta (Manager inger cover art would be a good Writers: Dave Anderson, Tom Bok, Gary Brennan, of Office Services), in an effort to idea. Sorry, Pat, no panties . .. Victoria Cyr, Mike Dornbrook, Stu Galley, Elizabeth expand her creative horizon, has FORWARD THAT MAIL: Langosy, Dave Leblfug, Steve Meretzky, Curtis joined the Arlington Historical Ballyhoo-author Jeff O'Neill says Montague, Jonathan Palace, Gayle Syska, Tom Veldran Society's Fife and Drum Corps. that his next game will definitely Word is she is quite striking in be written in Mozambique as Production: Cynthia Curtis, Susan Goldman, her white wig and three-cornered proof that the computer revolu Jonathan Palace hat TRANSPORTATION tion has liberated mankind from NEWS: Remember the Harvard the office . . . EYE OPENER: Fin Boss: Susan Goldman president's son? Well, he recently ding it hard to stay awake? Many took a road test for his driver's Infocom employees are constant © 1986 Infocom, Inc., 125 Cam bridgePark Drive, Cambridge, MA 02 140 license, and in an amusing twist ly trying to stretch their en of reality it was the license ex durance through caffeine abuse. Zork, Enchanter, Deadline, The Witness, Starcross, Suspended, aminer and not the Harvard presi Their newest weapon against Planetfall, Infidel, Seastalker, Cutthroats, Suspect, and Wishbringer are dent's son who showed up with a heavy lids is JOLT. This cola pro registered trademarks of Infocom, Inc. Moonmist, Leather Goddesses of hangover. . . Suzanne Frank duct claims the legal limit of caf Phobos, Trinity, Ballyhoo, Sorcerer, Spellbreaker, A Mind Forever (Manager of Testing) and Gary feine. However, JOLT is only Vo yaging, Fooblitzky, Cornerstone, Tales of Adventure, Interactive Brennan (Tester) showed a available in the Buffalo, NY, area, Fiction Plus, and InvisiClues are trademarks of Infocom, Inc. The Hitch preference for autocratic Korean and our supplies are running low. hiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a trademark of Douglas Adams. hardware, when they both show ·Help! ed up at work sporting brand new zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz SUMMER1986 THE STATUS LINE PAGE11
team solved ·the game about 45 This fall, Infocom is planning High School Marathon of the Mind minutes later; by that time, all Marathons across the country, to Last fall Infocom co-sponsored a to leave the Gardens, and others other teams had given up to get be held in major museums for Marathon of the Minds at the followed over the next hour. some much needed sleep. Con area high school students. The Boston Museum of Science Com After that, they were able to ex gratulations to Bill Shubert, tentatively scheduled cities are: puterPlace for area college plore the large geography of the Adam Crossland and Mark Hald Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los students. Well, we did it again central portion of the game. for winning the Marathon. Angeles, . New York, Orlando, this spring with our newest Throughout the night they Congratulations also go to ln Philadelphia, San Francisco, release, Trinity, written by "Pro struggled to finish the game. The focom' s Spencer Steere for setting Seattle and Washington, D .C. fessor" Brian Moriarty. This time first team to finish, from up this event. Those in the Our newest releases will be twelve area high schools com Acton/ Boxboro Regional High Boston area were able to see the featured: Moonmist and . .. well, peted to be the first to finish. School, finally solved the game start of the Marathon on the we're not going to tell you yet. So almost 17 hours later, at 9:45 11 o'clock nightly news on chan keep an eye open for the The contest officially started at Saturday morning. One other nel 7 (WNEV) . Marathon coming to YOUR area. 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 30th, but beforehand the students were able to look at the game mater ials. Many of the people con structed paper cranes from the in structions included with the game. At 5:00 they all started the game by exploring Kensington Gardens (the first setting) . At about 5:45 the first groups started out the Field Museum, prowling its stately marble halls for two days to search out the contest clues: Lebling: There must be hyraxes around here somewhere. They're cute and cuddly and the closest living relatives of the elephant. It would make a great question. Meretzky (on being shown hyraxes) :-- I-don't- believe-it;-and- besides, no one else has ever heard of them. Slow dissolve to Cambridge: the contest materials are written, then printed and collated onto carefully chosen, color-coded Day-Glow"' papers. Matching color-coded name tags, tablecloths (for the tables that would serve as the teams' home base), etc., are assembled. The materials are carefully packed and sent to Chicago. Cut to Chicago, the morning of the event: Meretzky: The boxes haven't arrived! No one answers the phone! Lebling: Put down that knife! Much searching, confusion, near-panic (peril-sensitive sunglasses turning dark all around) . Fortunately, Steve brought the originals, so InfoPR person Spencer Steere and her associates could, at the last minute and at great expense, pro duce a new set of materials. So what if there was no red paper and the purple was actually more or less gray? Many would imbibe too much to notice. Cut to the Field Museum, one hour before the event: "What do you mean, you've thrown away all the maps of the Museum?" PAGE12 THE STATUS LINE SUMMER1986 Have We Got a MAN for You! Is your idea of Mr. Right a guy Your InfoDream date begins you can take the minutes, Send your entry, and a photo who can get the babelfish with with a tour of the Infocom unless you don't want to. Then (optional, but you don't think out doing a save? Is he the kind of facilities. You'll meet the game you'll be whisked a block away we're going to send Mikey out guy who knows just the right writers and have your picture to Aku-Aku (Polynesian dishes with just anybody, do you?) to £-word for the Wizard of Frobozz? taken with the computer they a specialty) for dinner with InfoDream Date, 125 Cam The kind of guy who would work on. You'll see Marc Mikey. All this can be yours if bridgePark Drive, Cambridge, start the Zork Users Group? Blank's desk and his Hallow your entry is selected by our MA 02140, Attention Jim Lange. Well, have we got a date for you! een costume from last year. distinguished committee of Employees of Infocom and their families are not eligible since Enter the InfoDream Date You'll see mfocom's trophy judges. they see Mikey all the time. Contest and win a date with In case. If there are any meetings, focom's Director of Marketing, Mike Dornbrook. Just tell us in Envelope Contest 50 words or less why you would want to go on a date with Mikey. Right now, somewhere near Tor Entries will be judged by a com rance City, CA, a man by the mittee of married Infoemployees, name of Jeff Nelsen is probably and the winning entry, along running around with his head with a few runners-up, will be swollen to the size of the published in a future issue of this Goodyear blimp and shoving his newsletter. Runners-up will re Status Line (formerly The New ceive an Infocom poster. All con Zork Times) envelope under the testants will have the satisfaction nose of family and friends. His of knowing they have flattered actions are very understandable Mikey and helped put a dent in because he, having recognized the this year's Post~ Service deficit. design on the envelope as the product of his creative genius, Unfortunately, most of this knows that he is the winner of year's enormous contest budget the prestigious ''Design a Better is gone, so the winner will have Envelope Contest." And winning to get to Boston on his or her this contest was no small feat. own. Jim, tell our eager con The competition was stiff. testants what awaits them on Literally HUNDREDS of budding their InfoDream date, should _ ..,._____, ... --Picassos- submitte their- finest they win: Louvre-quality works. It was
======fromthat athis discriminating ocean of artistic panel talentof In- focom judges selected Jeff Nelsen's breathtaking master Ask Gabby piece. A proud accomplishment for Jeff indeed! Dear Gabby, DearM 'nM, foot in from the property line. I Now, on the other hand, if I'm madly attracted to the boy Bag the close-minded jerk and showed them the deed to my your design is one of the hun next door. I think we would win a date with Mike Dornbrook! house which confirmed that I was dreds that apparently was drown make a great couple because we He loves both Infocom AND mar correct in my assumption of the ed in this so-called "ocean of ar have so much in common - keting. He even loves to work all property line, but it didn't dull tistic talent," you're probably pretty ticked off right now. And namely, we're both Infocom night and all weekend without their hostility. fanatics. We're so crazy about taking a vacation. So he's sure to What should I do? I absolutely (more Envelope on page 5) Infocom that if we were Infocom love you too. don't want to make enemies of employees, we would work all my neighbors. But shouldn't I night, all weekend, and never Dear Gabby, stand up for what's rightfully take a vacation! I am a home-owner who takes a mine? weird. It's not fair, though. I eat great deal of pride in my yard as out a lot, so I don't need a The problem is that one time I well as my house. I have worked Signed, refrigerator! I don't call that told "Jim" (not his real name) very hard to make my backyard a Straddling the Fence weird. I call that practical. How that when I grow up I want to go place that is not only pleasing to can I make people understand into marketing. Well, Jim, who the eye but also pleasing to the that and accept me as I am? wants to be a game designer, said soul. Now, after several months that we'd never see eye to eye Dear Straddling, Signed, of hard work, the only thing I Boy, that's a toughy! In fact, I because game designers and need to attain this goal is a fence. No Iced Tea marketeers :aever do. Now he don't think I can help you out on A fence would block from view a this one, but I know who can .. . won't have anything to do with rather unsightly woodpile on my Dear No Tea, me. Every time he sees me he just Mike Dornbrook! Wouldn't ya neighbor's property, and it would know it, Mike had the exact You can't change the way people sneers and mutters something give me the peace and solitude think. So what you have to do is about stupid marketing people. same problem with his fence that I'd like. building. Win a date with him find people who think the way When I asked my neighbors if you do. And, as unbelievable as it I know we could be happy if he and he can tell you all about how they would mind a fence along he solved this dile=a. may seem, there is someone that would just give it a chance. Gab the property line, they were thinks like you. You guessed it - by, please tell me what to do! perfectly agreeable. But when I Mike Dornbrook! Mike likes to started to put the fence up, they Dear Gabby, eat out a lot, and he too is Signed, became irate. They claimed I was I don't own a refrigerator. As a refrigeratorless. So get together Miserable in Marketing putting the fence in their yard, a result, people think I'm really with him. Win a date with Mike!