From: warren@Apple.COM (Chris Warren)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games,rec.games.misc
Subject: ADMIN: c.s.i.p.g - Frequently Asked Questions - Read before posting
Keywords: questions,hints,faq,info
Date: 22 Jul 92 22:45:10 GMT
Organization: Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, CA

NOTE cross-posting

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------- comp.sys.ibm.pc.games -------------------------
----------------------------- FAQ in 4 Parts -----------------------------
---------------------------- Rev date 7/14/92 ----------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
Contents:

Note: if you want to skip to a later part of this document search for the
string "Part <n>" where n is 1 to 4. On UNIX, using rn or more 
type "/Part <n>" (example "/Part 4:" to go to the section on Game Spoilers)

Part 1: General Questions

    The folowing questions are covered in part 1.  You can search for the
    coresponding number with your editor if you want to skip to that question
    On UNIX, using rn or more type /<number>: (example "/4:")

        1:  What is comp.sys.ibm.pc.games?
        2:  What should I be aware of when posting to comp.sys.ibm.pc.games?
        3:  What are all these other game groups?
        4:  What is a Spoiler?
        5:  How should I post a spoiler?
        6:  How do I FTP?
        7:  Where can I download public domain games.
        8:  Where can I get hints/solutions to games?
        9:  Which sound board should I buy?
        10: Where to get the Sound Site Newsletter?
        11: Where can I get music players/music files/music editors/songs/etc.
            for my pc's music card?
        12: What is the difference between the Sound Blaster and the
            Sound Blaster Pro?
        13: My 386/33 and Sound Blaster seem incompatible.  I get garbled music
            when playing Ultima6/SSI games/etc.  What's wrong?
        14: Where can I get Infocom games?  Can somebody mail me a copy 
            (since they're out of business anyway (Is that legal?)   What
            happened to them anyway?
        15: Where can I Buy/Get support for games?
        16: How do I get a particular game to best run under OS/2?

Part 2: Glossary

    Did you ever wonder about the meaning of IMHO, CoAB, LSL5, or any of
    the other acronyms that fly fast and furious in this group, look here
    for info.

Part 3: FAQ -- Game Bugs

    Compilation of the most common spoiler/bug problems.  They are arranged
    by game and are by no means comprehensive but they should help people
    who get stuck in areas of poor game design or just plain difficulty.

Part 4: FAQ -- Game Spoilers

    Compilation of the most common spoiler/bug problems.  They are arranged
    by game and are by no means comprehensive but they should help people
    who get stuck in areas of poor game design or just plain difficulty.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Administrivia/Soapbox: 


    Hello, here is your friendly neighborhood FAQ [person, sacrafical lamb,
    lemming, ??? :] 

    Welcome to the new group!

    There are still a few questions I need answers for.
    Please email me additions, corrections, or whatever and I will incorporate
    them in the next version.
    
    This FAQ will be posted every week or so.  For the time being,
    this will crossposted to rec.games.misc for purposes of smoothing
    the transition to the new group.
        
    Cheers
       Chris Warren (editor without cause)


------------------------ Part 1: General Questions -----------------------

1:  What is comp.sys.ibm.pc.games?

A:  This group arose out of rec.games.misc.  For some time, that group
    had been dominated by discussions of MSDOS games.  This has proved
    confusing to new people, and tended to starve out non MSDOS,
    non computer oriented traffic.
    
    The charter of this group is to provide a forum for the discussion
    of games for the IBM PC or compatible machines.  This is not just
    limited to MS-DOS, but extends to OS/2, Windows and anything else
    which can run on an IBM PC compatible.
 
    For example (not comprehensive):
        o Discussion of upcoming games
        o Discussion of software companies
        o Discussion of current and past games
        o Requests for help
        o Hints and spoilers
        o Personal sales and trading of games.  Not for commercial sales
          or piracy.  Any risk assumed is your own.
        o Discussion of locations of new demos and ftp sites

    Certain games have their own newsgroup. These include the
    games: Corewar,Empire, Hack, Moria, and Rogue.  See question
    three for more details.  Questions pertaining to one of those games should
    be posted to that group, and possibly here if it is of general
    enough interest.
    
    Also certain games that come out on the PC tend to migrate to other
    platforms, so this group can serve as a resource for people
    with questions about those games as well.


2:  What should I be aware of when posting to this comp.sys.ibm.pc.games?

    When you post an article there a few things you can do to make life
    easier for others.
    
    a) Subject Headers: Note the following is voluntary.  It is being
    suggested because it will make everyone's life easier if people
    use it.  However if you don't use it, the net.police are not
    going to haul you away (or flame you away:)
	On the other hand, please use it and people will thank you forever,
	or at least until their local newsfeed runs expire.
	
	Use an all caps prefix followed by a colon to indicate
    the type of message.  This allows others to quicky find your
    article if it pertains to a particular topic.  Here is a list of common
    prefixs.  [feel free to suggest others or changes]
    
    HELP:           Message asking for help in a game.
                    Replies to these messages can often contain SPOILERS.
    SPOILER:        A message which gives something away about a game and
                    doesn't fall under HELP:
    BUG:            Message about a bug in a game, how to get arround a 
                    particular bug, how to get patches to fix bugs, etc.
    TECHHELP:       Message asking for help in getting a game to run on your
                    machine.
    UPCOMING:       Message talking about an upcomming game
    REVIEW:         Message reviewing a particular game
    4SALE:          Posting for personal sales or trading of games or
                    game wanted.  Not for commercial sales or piracy.
                    Any risk assumed is your own.
	WANTED:			A message posted by someone who is looking for something.
    ADMIN:          Administrative and group info type stuff.
                    The FAQ falls under this category
    MISC:           Misceleneous topic
    FLAME:          Message whose primary purpose is to vent one's spleen.

    If you don't use a heading, then at least please use an indication of
    the game that you are talking about in the subject line.  In any event,
    subject line should be indicative of the contents of the message.
	Please don't post something with a vague title like "Question" or
	"Info wanted"

    b) Understand about SPOILERS. See question 4.

    c) While it is OK to talk about removing copy protection for legitimate
    owners of games.  It is NOT cool to talk about how to pirate software,
    or to post requests for pirated copies of software. 
    There sometimes can be a fine line between these two so care should be
    taken with respect to these areas.  It is all too easy to start
    a flame war... (he runs for cover)


3:  What are all these other game groups?

A:  bit.listserv.games-l       -- This newsgroup is mostly for MS-DOS games,
                                  but since many people on bitnet have access
                                  to only bit.listserv.games-l you'll see all
                                  kinds of posts from Amiga questions to
                                  Nintendo questions.
    comp.sys.amiga.games       -- Amiga specific games 
    comp.sys.mac.games         -- Macintosh specific games  
    rec.arts.int-fiction       -- Covers interactive fiction (generalized
                                  term that includes adventure games) from
                                  the standpoint of developing int-fiction
                                  as a new literary genre.  For implementors
                                  of int-fiction more than players.
    rec.games.corewar          -- Group for Core War, CRobots and other
                                  games that involve programming.
    rec.games.design           -- General game design issues.  Currently
                                  focuses on non computer based roleplaying
                                  games.  Could be of interest to designers of
                                  CRPGs (Computer Role Playing Games)
    rec.games.frp              -- Covers mostly non computer RPGs
    rec.games.mud              -- Multi-User Dungeon
    rec.games.mud.lp              Cool multiplayer Zork type games
                                  that you can hook onto over the internet.
                                  You text adventure type should check this,
                                  if you like the idea of playing in a zork
                                  game with other people where you can
                                  help build the universe!
    rec.games.pbm              -- Discussion of play-by-mail games.
    rec.games.pinball          -- Discussion of pinball, both for players
                                  of coin-op pinball games and pinball
                                  collectors.
    rec.games.programmer       -- Discussion of the implementation and
                                  programming of computer games of all types.
    rec.games.rpg              -- Unofficial newsgroup that is a visceral clone
                                  of rec.game.frp and a source of major
                                  irritation [read flamewars] for all involved.
                                  be a net.person.good and use rec.games.frp :)
                                  [follow up this topic on alt.flame] 
    rec.games.vectrex          -- Discussion of the discontinued Vectrex
                                  vector graphics home game system.
    rec.games.video            -- Discussion of dedicated home video game systems
                                  (i.e. Nintendo, Genesis) and the dedicated
                                  video game market in general.  Computer games
                                  are occasionally discussed, especially those
                                  for older computers (i.e. Commodore 64, 
                                  Atari 8-bit, Apple II).
    rec.games.video.arcade     -- A group for discussion of arcade games
                                  (in arcades).  They discuss old classics
                                  as well as current games.
   rec.games.netrek,           -- discussion about space combat games Netrek 
   alt.games.xtrek                and Xtrek.
   
   [ PLEASE add to this list and/or the above descriptions ]
 

4:  What is a Spoiler?

A:  Anything that gives away information about a game, which could hurt
    a player's enjoyment of a game.  It comes from "Spoil the Surprise."
    In this context it usually refers to the solution to a puzzle, or
    a description of the ending animation sequence for a game.
    Most people get really *pissed* if you post a spoiler with out a 
    SPOILER WARNING.

    Example of a Spoiler [made up by Bryon Daly]
    This comes from *no* game (yet:)
    
    Hey guys:

    In Kazoos Of Doom, I just used the +3 Accordion Of Boredom to kill the
    guard and solve the riddle.  Now I'm stuck on how to get down to the next 
    level...


5:  How should I post a spoiler?

A:  At minimum you should include the word SPOILER in your
    subject line and a line in your message that indicates that
    a Spoiler follows.  One way to do this is as follows:

[SPOILER ALERT]
^L (control-L)
24 carriage returns

<text of spoiler>

[END SPOILER ALERT]

    Spoilers should definitely include a form-feed character (control-L)
    to avoid 'giving away' the secrets.  Use of multiple CR's to support readers
    in window oriented environments like the Mac is recommended in addition to
    the control-L. Some people argue with justification that newsreaders that
    don't support control-L as a pause are broken, and some people argue that
    control-L doesn't make sense in a window environment, but spoilers should
    definitely have a ^L included to follow usenet conventions - and support
    workstation readers who may have large screens.
    
    Details of inserting a cntl-L / form-feed depend very much on one's
    system and/or editor - the following advice may not work for everyone or
    even a majority of people.
    
    On some UNIX systems (maybe others), you have to type the "escape" key
    to enter a control.  The escape key is _not_ the esc.  You type
    ^V then ^L, and the ^L will be entered into the text.  Otherwise,
    just a ^L will clear the screen.          


6:  How do I FTP?

A:  [Thanks to John Gordon and Stephen M. Smith for most of what follows]

    [We are assuming that you are on a UNIX machine.  If you are using
     something else, you are on you own.  Sorry :( ]

Directions

    1) From your system prompt, type "ftp <host-name>", where
    <host-name> is the name of the host machine that you are trying to get to.
    Example: "ftp cica.cica.indiana.edu".  Note: In some cases you may not be
    able to use the name, you will have to use the IP address number.  This
    number is 4 numbers separated by dots, i.e. "135.56.9.2".  If you have to
    do it this way, you would type "ftp 135.56.9.2".  Presumably you can 
    obtain the IP number from the same place you got the host-name.
    Or use the /usr/etc/nslookup command to find the IP number from a machine
    name.
    
    2) When you connect to the host, you will have to enter a login
    and probably a password.  Most sites support what is called "Anonymous FTP",
    this means that you enter "anonymous" as your login and then enter your
    real login as you password, i.e. "joe@comp.node.whatever".  Some sites
    accept "ftp" as an anonymous login rather than "anonymous".  I have heard
    that sysadmins rarely check what you entered for your password, but it is
    courteous to be truthful.  NOTE: Most sites don't want you using anonymous
    FTP during prime-time, which is usually 7am-6pm *local* time.
   
    Note: Local time can often be hard to determine just from a site's name.
    You can use the command "telnet <site> daytime" or, failing that, 
    "telnet <site> 13", will give the system time at <site>.
   
    3) After you have successfully logged on, you can use "cd" and
    "ls", among other commands, to get where you want in the directory tree.
    
    4) Once you are in the correct directory and know what files
    you want, you can use "get" to copy single files, i.e. "get file1.c", 
    or "mget" to copy multiple files, i.e. "mget *.zip".  NOTE: If the
    files you are copying are not plain-text files, i.e. compressed files,
    binary data files, etc. you will want to set the transfer mode to binary.
    You can do this by entering "type binary".  "binary" or "tenex" may also
    work.
    
    5) If you get stuck, you can type "help" or "?" and get a list
    of FTP commands that you can use.  "man ftp" from your system prompt
    will also be helpful.
    
    6) If any of the files you copied have a .Z, .shar, and/or
    .tar extensions, you will have to play around with the files a bit
    before you can use them.  Check out the man pages for the commands
    "uncompress" (for .Z files), "shar" (for .shar files), and "tar"
    (for .tar files).
    
    7) Software obtained this way will probably not have viruses,
    but you never know.  Be careful out there.  Note: I say that "it will
    probably not have viruses" because there is simply more "clean"
    software out there than there is "dirty" software, not because FTP
    is somehow inherently safer.


Note: [thanks flee@guardian.cs.psu.edu]
    About ftping, what "binary" means is that the remote system is
    compatible with your system, and ftp will send an exact image of the
    file (Type I stands for Image).  If, for example, both systems are
    Unix systems, then you can always use binary mode, even for retrieving
    text files.  Binary mode will be a little faster, because the systems
    will not have to convert back and forth between local ascii and
    network ascii.
    
    Type tenex (L 8) is used to talk to DEC-10s and DEC-20s and other
    machines with 9-bit bytes.  Machines with 8-bit bytes (which is nearly
    everyone else) need to specify the "L 8" type to send binary files to
    and from those machines.
    
    Of the ftp sites you list, I think WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL is the only
    host that needs type tenex.

Example FTP session with Anotations

    > ftp wuarchive.wustl.edu
    
    Connected to wuarchive.wustl.edu.
    220 wuarchive.wustl.edu FTP server (Version 6.11 Fri Aug 16 07:53:21 CDT 1991)
    
    Name (wuarchive.wustl.edu:myname): anonymous     [enter "anonymous" or "ftp" 
                                                      for sign-on name]
    
    331 Guest login ok, send e-mail address as password.
    
    Password:                    ["guest" usually works, otherwise put in your
                                  real email address for the password]
    
    230-Welcome, archive user!  This is an experimental FTP server.  If you
    230-have any unusual problems, please report them via e-mail to
    230-root@wuarchive.wustl.edu.  If you do have problems, please try using a
    230-dash (-) as the first character of your password -- this will turn off
    230-the continuation messages that may be confusing your ftp client.
    230 Guest login ok, access restrictions apply.
    
    
    ftp> cd /pub/MSDOS_UPLOADS/demos   [change to the appropriate directory
                                        with the "cd" command, and make sure
                                        your directory dividers are "/" not "\"]
    
    250 CWD command successful.
    
    ftp> ls                        ["list" the contents of the directory;
                                    for a full description use "dir" or "ls -l"]
    
    200 PORT command successful.
    150 Opening ASCII mode data connection for file list.
    hover.zip
    lemmings.zip
    vectdemo.zip
    swotl.unp.txt.Z
    226 Transfer complete.
    56 bytes received in 0.03 seconds (1.8 Kbytes/s)
    
    ftp> binary                  [for any file OTHER than a text file, change
                                  to binary transfer by entering "binary"; some
                                  sites use the word(s) "tenex" or "type L 8"
    
                                  instead of "binary"; to change back to make a 
                                  text (ASCII) transfer enter the word "ascii"]
    
    200 Type set to I.
    
    ftp> get hover.zip           [enter "get (filename)" to transfer the file
                                  to your site from the remote site]
    
    200 PORT command successful.
    150 Opening BINARY mode data connection for hover.zip (424060 bytes).
    226 Transfer complete.
    local: hover.zip remote: hover.zip
    424060 bytes received in 38 seconds (11 Kbytes/s)
    
    ftp> quit                    [enter "quit" or "bye" to leave the ftp session]
    
    221 Goodbye.
    
    >                            [you are returned to your system prompt]
     

7:  Where can I download public domain games.

A:  here are someplaces. [please post more]


    risc.ua.edu              130.160.4.7       pub/games/pc      PC games[?]
    sumex-aim.stanford.edu   36.44.0.6         ???               Mac Software
    mac.archive.umich.edu    141.211.164.153   ???               Mac Software
    msdos.archive.umich.edu  141.211.164.153   ???               Dos Software
      Note: Last two are the same machine. Can be accessed by archive.umich.edu

    ftp.ulowell.edu          129.63.32.1       msdos/Games       Apogee games, some
                                                                 demos, misc
                                                                 stuff
    grape.ecs.clarkson.edu   128.153.28.12     everywhere        MSDOS games

                                               Note:  The stuff at this archive
                                                      is rather jumbled up, 
                                                      and games can be found
                                                      in many directories


Here is a place to get demos for games:

    wuarchive.wustl.edu                        /pub/MSDOS_UPLOADS/demos.  
    ftp.ulowell.edu              129.63.32.1   /pub
                                               /msdos/Games/Demo

Here are some random ftp sites that may have games

    aisun1.ai.uga.edu                              language processing, msdos
    iraun1.ira.uka.de                              ham-radio, msdos, internet
    mdaali.cancer.utexas.edu                       software, msdos, mac
    msdos.archive.umich.edu        03/01/91        anonymous/odin@pilot.njin.net
    novell.macc.wisc.edu                           msdos)
    procyon.cis.ksu.edu                            unix-pc, pd modula2, msdos,
    quiche.cs.mcgill.ca            132.206.51.1    sites, msdos, bible, Hubble
    rusmv1.rus.uni-stuttgart.de                    msdos, unix, mathematics
    schizo.samsung.com                             networking sw, msdos, gifs,
    sirius.ucs.adelaide.edu.au                     modula 3, msdos, aus.aarnet
    vaxb.acs.unt.edu                               msdos, amiga, midi, network
    wuarchive.wustl.edu            128.252.135.4       comp.sources.x, msdos,
    cc.sfu.ca                      128.189.32.250  msdos, mac
    csc2.anu.edu.au                130.56.4.25     sun-fixes, RFCs, NCSA, msdos,
    doc.cso.uiuc.edu               128.174.33.105  msdos (pcsig), mac
    f.ms.uky.edu                   128.163.128.6   mac, msdos, unix-pc
    garbo.uwasa.fi                 128.214.12.37   msdos, win3, ts-progs, unix,
    grape.ecs.clarkson.edu         128.153.28.129  Opus BBS, msdos, graphics,
    iesd.auc.dk                    130.225.48.4    amiga, mac, msdos, myth
    mars.ee.msstate.edu            130.18.64.3     msdos, amiga, mac, atari,
    meap.uta.edu                   129.107.2.20    msdos engineering/science sw
    msdos.archive.umich.edu        141.211.165.34  msdos, mac
    mtsg.ubc.ca                    137.82.27.1     msdos, unix, amiga, os2
    nic.funet.fi                   128.214.6.100   GNU, X11, networking, msdos,
    orc.olivetti.com               129.189.192.20  msdos fax netinfo rfc
    peace.waikato.ac.nz            130.217.64.62   anu-news gnu msdos mac ncsa
    plains.nodak.edu               134.129.111.64  apple, msdos, mac, amiga,
    shasta.scl.cwru.edu            129.22.32.7     smail/pc, msdos, gif, packet
    sparky2.esd.mun.ca             134.153.11.101  NewPet and QuikPlot msdos
    sumex.edu                      ???             Mac Software
    um.cc.umich.edu                35.1.1.43       msdos, mac, apple, atari
    vega.hut.fi                    130.233.200.42  msdos, mac, Kermit, fusion
    vmtecmex.cem.itesm.mx          132.254.1.4     amiga, msdos, gif
    vuwcom.vuw.ac.nz               130.195.2.10    kermit, mac, msdos, vms
    wsmr-simtel20.army.mil         192.88.110.20   msdos, unix, cpm, mac (tenex)


    NOTE: A simply massive ftplist can be downloaded from the Document Site:
          typhoon.Berkeley.EDU(128.32.184.254) in pub/Library
          This place has a lot of other documents also.


8:  Where can I get hints/solutions to games?

A:  See Part 3 of the FAQ for Frequently Asked Hints/Bugs or use ftp,
    see below.

Here are ftp sites [please post more]

    risc.ua.edu       130.160.4.7      -- pub/games/solutions
                                          This is in the US, and it largely
                                          duplicates nic.funet.fi
    nic.funet.fi      128.214.6.100    -- pub/misc/games.solutions
                                          This is in Finland, and it largely
                                          duplicates risc.ua.edu
                                          NOTE: when ftp'ing to nic.funet.fi
                                          you MUST enter your email address as
                                          the password in order to be able to
                                          access the appropriate subdirectories!

There are no walkthroughs on the Internet for the following games.
    [Thanks to Carl Hommel for this info]
    
    Ultima 4
    Bards Tale II
    Eye of the Beholder     (postscript maps available from someplace in Oz)
    Might & Magic I, III    (hint books cost $12)
    The SSI "Gold Box" games (hint books cost $15)
        Pool of Radiance
        Curse of the Azure Bonds
        Secret of the Silver Blades

        Pool of Darkness
    Wizardry I - V

    An EotB walkthrough is the *most* frequently asked walkthrough question.
    Earn eternal fame by being the first to write/upload one!


     the following solutions had been uploaded to risc.ua.edu...
        directory /pub/games/solutions
        most of them were written by me...

        sol.elvira             - Elvira
        sol.elvira2            - Elvira II
        sol.eob2               - Eye of the Beholder II
        sol.geisha             - Geisha (not done by me)
        sol.iceman             - Codename : ICEMAN
        sol.kol                - Knights of Legend
        sol.lostinla           - Les Manley II - Lost in L.A.
        sol.martianmemorandam  - Martian Memorandum
        sol.mm3                - Might & Magic III
        sol.monkey             - Secret of Monkey Island
        sol.monkey2            - Secret of Monkey Island II
        sol.uukrul             - The Dark Heart of Uukrul
        sol.willy              - The Adventures of Willy Beamish
        sol.wizardry6          - Bane of the Cosmic Forge (not done by me)
        sol.zyca               - Legend of the Zyca

9:  Which sound board should I buy?

A:  Read the sound site newsletter, which will tell you everything you
    ever wanted to know about sound*
    (* but were afraid to ask:)

10: Where to get the Sound Site Newsletter?

A:  The Sound Site Newsletter is posted monthly or bimonthly to 
    comp.sys.ibm.pc.games, comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc, and comp.sys.mac.misc
    under the subject heading "Sound Newsletter #?".  If possible, 
    obtain a copy from one of those newsgroups.

    The editor for the newsletter is David Komatsu; he may be reached at one
    of the following three email addresses: sound@ccb.ucsf.edu,
    davek@uhunix.uhcc.hawaii.edu, and komatsu@aludra.usc.edu.  For back 
    issues of the Sound Site Newsletter, obtain the latest copy and follow 
    the directions given in it.

11:  Where can I get music players/music files/music editors/songs/etc. for
    my pc's music card?

A:  Read the Sound Site Newsletter.


12: What is the difference between the Sound Blaster and the Sound Blaster
    Pro?

A:  [??? will this be in the Sound Site Newsletter?]


13: My 386/33 and Sound Blaster seem incompatible.  I get garbled music
    when playing Ultima6/SSI games/etc.  What's wrong?

A:  On some fast machines there are timing problems with certain game's
    software.  Try turning off the cache or lowering the CPU speed.

14: Where can I get Infocom games?  Can somebody mail me a copy (since they're
out of business anyway (Is that legal?)   What happened to them anyway?

A:  [Thanks to Dave Lebling (Infocom co-founder) for the definitive
     info on this]

    The Lost Treasures of Infocom is now available at Software ETC, 
    Electronic Boutiques and other fine stores everywhere.
    $59.95 list, EB price is $54.95.  20 Infocom games included
    - all the Zork series, HHGTTG, etc. Whatta deal - less than $3.00 a game!
    
    Lost Treasures 2 is now out and contains 11 more games.  It's been seen
    at Electronics Boutique for $38.  38/11 = $3.45 per game! The remaining
    Interactive Fiction Plus games are here (Trinity, Mind Forever Voyaging), 
    but no Leather Goddesses I, and no more of the graphic Infocom games
    (Arthur, Shogun, Quarterstaff, Journey).

    In addition to The Lost Treasures, Activision recently released a sequel
    to Leather Goddesses of Phobos, written by Steve Meretzky.  It's a
    hypercard-esque interface, not a text adventure.  This was release under
    the Infocom label.  Also under the Infocom label is a line of
    other non-text games (Battletech, etc).  

    Check out the stuff from Legend Entertainment.  It's the closest thing
    to the old Infocom stuff around now.  (Titles include Spellcasting 101 and
    201, Timequest, and Frederik Pohl's Gateway).
    
    Infocom never went out of business.  It went deeply into debt to
    develop a database product (named Cornerstone) that was a commercial
    flop.  It went shopping for a merger and found Activision, which
    later changed its name to Mediagenic.  What did happen is that
    in May of 1989 Mediagenic closed down the "real" Infocom in
    Cambridge, MA, and laid (almost) everyone off.  All the releases
    up through Zork Zero, Shogun, Journey, and Arthur were developed
    in Cambridge.

    [Nathan Torkington writes]

    Infocom were bought by Mediagenic, and are now simply a label under
    which games are released.  The most recent Infocom releases are
    graphical adventures.    
    
    UK readers will be happy to learn that the games are available from
    Virgin Mastertronic (a budget software house in the US).  I'll include
    a copy of my personal FAQ on how to get the games from Mastertronic.

    [Dave Lebling writes]

    Mediagenic licensed the UK rights to the games to Virgin Mastertronic
    about two years ago.

    Mediagenic went nearly bankrupt, was taken over by outside investors,
    and taken through a so-called "pre-packaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy" in
    January, 1992.  As part of that process, they changed their name back
    to Activision, moved from Silicon Valley down to LA, and recently
    merged with a company owned by the investors (called The Disc
    Company).

    [Nathan Torkington writes]    

    Douglas Adams' "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" adventure game
    is being reissued by Virgin Mastertronic.  Their advertisement in
    the Aug/Dept 1991 "XS NRG" magazine (hey, it's not mine! - I wouldn't
    buy something with that tacky a title) shows the covers to
            The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
            Zork I
            PlanetFall
            Wishbringer
            Leather Goddesses of Phobos
            Zork II
            Zork III
            Enchanter
            Sorcerer
            Deadline
    
    and the text reads:
            Ten good reasons to use your imagination
            Classic infocom interactive fiction is back -- at an
            irresistible price.
            Available on PC, Amiga & ST : #9.99  (# == British pound)
            INFOCOM from Mastertronic
            For further information please contact:
                    Customer Services
                    Virgin Mastertronic Ltd
                    16 Portland Road
                    London W11 2LA
                    Tel: 071 - 727 8070
    
    I hope this helps.  Remember that if you write to them asking how to
    order the game, it would be a good idea to let them know how much you
    enjoy interactive fiction (text adventures).  That way they may
    (re?)release more ..

15: Where can I buy/get support for games?

A:  "Where to get..."

    Electronic Boutique has a toll-free order line. (800) 800-0032.
    [AmEx/MasterCard/VISA, personal check, Money Order].

    CompuAdd has a toll-free order line. (800) 627-1967.
    [Discover/MasterCard/VISA, certified check, Money Order].

    Egghead has toll-free order line. (800) 347 5400.
    [I assume major credit cards.  Check? Money Order?]

    "Game Maker Support"

    A number of game companies have BBS systems that their customers
    can call to leave technical support questions, get updated game
    versions, find out product information, etc. The ones I've
    signed on to in the last month are:

        Accolade                        (408) 296-8800
        Microprose                      (301) 785-1841
        Origin                          (512) 328-8402
        Sierra                          (209) 683-4463 (*)

    (*) Hints for most of their games available online!

    Other useful BBS numbers:

        DAK (are we talking deals???)   (818) 715-7153
        Logitech (mice, etc)            (415) 795-0408


    Thanks sgil@netcom.netcom.com (Steve Gilbert) for this info



16: How do I get game X to best run under OS/2 2.0?

A:  [thanks to Stephen M Smith for this info]
    FTP to ftp-os2.nmsu.edu (128.123.35.151) and download the file
    named games10.txt (the '10' is the version number and will change
    of course).  It will be located in one of the /pub/os2 sub-
    directories; try /pub/os2/2.0/info first.  This info file has 
    general tips that give optimum DOS settings for best game
    performance and a specific games section that lists games in 
    alphabetical order and provides hints for running each game
    under OS/2.  If you do not have FTP access, check the gaming
    groups or comp.os.os2.apps to see if a copy has been posted there,
    or send an email note to smsmith@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu and
    request a copy.


-------------------------- Part 2: Glossary -------------------------------

Note: Any time I use series in a description, it means that the word is
      usually followed by a number (sometimes a roman numeral)
      i.e. KQ5 or KQ V is King's Quest 5, the fifth installment of Kings Quest.


Adlib     Adlib                     -- A brand of Sound Card
AD&D      Advanced Dungeons 
             & Dragons              -- See rec.games.frp
AG        Adlib Gold                -- Fancer version of Adlib that competes
                                       better with Sound Blaster
AOTP      Aces of the Pacific       -- Military aerial combat game
BotCF     Bane of the Cosmic Forge 
                      (Wizardry VI) -- Part of the Wizardy series by Sir Tech
BT        Bards Tale                -- A fantasy roleplaying series
                                       from Electronic Arts
BTW       By The Way                -- Expression used by net.people
CGA       Color Graphics Adapter    -- Old style graphics adapter from IBM.
                                       This was used for ancient games
                                       [I think it was 320x200 with 4 colors]
CIV       Civilization              -- "Conquer the world" simulation game
CoAB      Curse of the Azure Bonds  -- Computer based AD&D game from SSI
EGA       Extended Graphics Adapter -- Previous generation of graphics adapter,
                                       used for most of older games.
                                       (includes a 320x200 16 color mode,
                                        which was the old standard for games)
EOB,EoB   Eye Of the Beholder       -- mouse based AD&D game from SSI
FAQ       Frequently Asked ?s       -- Self-explanatory
FTP       File Transfer Protocol    -- Tool used to transfer files between
                                       two machines (usually UNIX machines)
IMHO      In My Humble (or Honest)
                           Opinion  -- Expression used by net.people
IMNSHO    In My Not So 
             Humble/Honest Opinion  -- Expression used by net.people
LSL       Leisure Suit Larry        -- Siera Online adventure game series
LTOI      Lost Treasures of Infocom -- Collection of the classic text 
                                       adventures by Infocom (see Q14 for
                                       more info about Infocom)
M&M       Might and Magic           -- A fantasy roleplaying series by 
                                       New World Computing
KQ        King's Quest              -- Siera Online adventure game series
PBM       Play By Mail              -- Game (often RPG) that is played by mail
PBEM,PBeM Play by Email             -- Game (often PRG) that is played by EMail
PC        Personal Computer         -- Usually implies "IBM-PC compatible"
POD,PoD   Pools of Darkness         -- Computer based AD&D game from SSI
POR,PoR   Pool of Radiance          -- Computer based AD&D game from SSI
RTM       Read The Manual           -- Phrases used by people who don't have
RTFM      Read The F_CKIN Manual       the time/patience/desire to help those
                                       who have a question.  This editor
                                       personally dislikes this because it
                                       sends the message Read the Manual
                                       Stupid.  Some things are not always
                                       clear to others and they have as much
                                       a right to ask their questions as we
                                       have to ask ours.
SB        Sound Blaster             -- A brand of Sound Card
SQ        Space Quest               -- Siera Online adventure game series
SSI       Strategic Simulations Inc -- A game company that makes the AD&D
                                       computer games, among others.
SSB       Secret of the Silver
                          Blades    -- Computer based AD&D game from SSI
SWOTL     Secret Weapons of
                  the Luftwafe      -- World War 2 aerial combat game.
U         Ultima                    -- A fantasy roleplaying series by Origin
UW        Ultima Underworld         -- "Virtual reality"ish dungeon exploring
                                       game by Origin.
VGA       Video Graphics Array      -- Current graphics adpater "du jour"
                                       of the game companies.  It is required 
                                       for newer games that use 256 colors at
                                       320x200
SVGA      Super VGA                 -- higher resolution 256 color modes that
                                       come on 3rd party graphics cards
                                       (includes 640x480,800x600,and 1024x768)
                                       see comp.sys.ibm.cp.hardware for more
                                       info
WOLF3D    Castle Wolfenstien 3d     -- "Virtual reality"ish shoot the NAZIs
                                       game. (shareware)
WC        Wing Commander            -- Popular space flight simulator series
                                       from Origin
Wiz       Wizardy                   -- A fantasy roleplaying series by
                                       Sir Tech

[Please post additions and corrections]

---------------------------- Part 3: Game Bugs ----------------------------

This section cover some common game bug situations.  It contains no Spoilers
other than where a bug in the game prevents the player from finding out the
info.


Might and Magic III
Sierra Games (General)
Leisure Suit Larry 5
Monkey Island
Ultima 6
Spellcasting 101
Eye of the Beholder
Wing Commander 1
Wing Commander I,II cheat


Might and Magic III

Q:  Why does brother Zeta never talk to me, even though I have visted
    brother Delta, who told me to go see him.

A:  This is a bug in the game.  Zeta is supposed to tell you that you
    can find the shell on day 99.  Also Zeta is the last of the brothers.


Q:  What is the magic number that lord might wants in the Arachnoid 
    Caverent?

A:  [I don't remember the #.  Someone please post]
    There is a bug in the game, that makes it [nearly] impossible to compute
    the number based on the clues, and besides, it's tedious.  If you wait
    til later (nothing really depends on this quest), you will come across
    the answer elsewhere.


Sierra Games (General)

Q:  I have several games from Sierra (and the associated company Dynamix),
    e.g. King's Quest V, Stellar 7, etc.  When I install these programs
    with sound set to sound blaster (I have a version 2.0 sound 
    blaster--not pro) my system hangs.  If I set them to adlib board then
    they seem to work fine but I guess I am potentially missing out on any
    digitised sound effects.  I had the same problem with Martian Memorandum
    but its manual gave instructions on how to change the interrupt from 3
    (used on older sound blaster boards) to 7 (used on newer boards -- 
    and what mine uses as reported by TEST-SBC).  This change fixed
    things up perfectly.  [What can I do?]

A:  I had the same problem with both Martian Memorandum and the Sierra games.
    I solved the problem with Martian Merorandum the same way as you.  As
    for the Sierra games, when I talked to their tech support they indicated
    that there was no difference between Addlib mode and SB mode (I'm not 
    sure about Dynamix however.)  So I don't think you're missing much.


Leisure Suit Larry 5

Q:  What happened to Leisure Suit Larry 4?

A:  According to a newsletter(or game mag) I read somewhere, after 
    completing LSL3, the author swore he would never do a part 4.
    So as a man of the highest moral caliber *grin*, he kept his word
    and did part 5 instead.
    
    Another answer is: it appears in the game Space Quest IV, so they had
    to roll the release number when they built LSL 5.


Monkey Island

Q:  I can't get this game to run with Soundblaster (in Adlib mode) on my
    fast (33MHZ 486) machine.

A:  try running in 8MHZ mode.  There is a bug that makes their Adlib driver
    fail on the fast machine.

Ultima 6

Q:  I'm trying to install Ultima 6 for the Soundblaster.  How do I do it?

A:  Choose Adlib and use all its default values.  It will work fine.


Q:  What if I did the above and the music still doesn't sound right?

A:  Then you are in the same situation as the editor was.  He called Origin
    and they told him to get the CMS chipset.  He did this and played the
    game in CMS mode.


Spellcasting 101

Q:  I have Spellcasting 101, for my IBM but I have a SoundBlaster Pro sound card.
    The packaging with S101 says that the game only uses the adlib sound card
    but only when you have run SOUND.COM.

A:  When you installed S101, it put the file SB_SOUND.COM in your S101
    directory.  This is the program to run before starting S101.

    [thanks to Sam Fineberg for this info]
    Thanks to Andrew Robinson I found sound.com included in an ad-lib demo
    called dpdemo.  This is available on nic.funet.fi among other places in
    the directory /pub/msdos/sound/adlib.  The file is called dpdemo.lzh.
    Included in this archive is the original ad-lib sound.com driver.
    This worked perfectly with my SoundBlaster.
    Please take note of case as most of these machines are case sensitive.
    I found that for this file to work, the Soundblaster board has to be set to
    the default address (0220H).


Eye of the Beholder

Q:  Where can I obtain maps for the different levels?

A:  They are available as .gif files at wuarchive.wustl.edu in
    /pub/MSDOS_UPLOADS.  The file names are level-01.gif through
    level-12.gif.

    brolga.cc.uq.oz.au (130.102.128.5), in directory /pub/eob.
    This site is in Australia.


    The EOB maps were removed from wuarchive.wustl.edu.
    But someone just (12/18/91) posted the following note in
    bit.listserv.games-l:

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------

    I've just uploaded the maps for Eye of the Beholder 1 to the ftp
    site wuarchive.wustl.edu in the directory MSDOS_UPLOADS under
    the filename eobmaps.zip.
    (path \pub\MSDOS_UPLOADS)
    
    The twelve maps have been PKzipped into one file.  Just do a binary
    ftp get on the file eobmaps.zip.  When PKunzipped, it will explode into
    the twelve separate maps.
    
    If you have any trouble with this file and blame it on the original
    at the ftp site, please let me know so I can check and see if I did
    something wrong.



Wing Commander 1

Q:  Where can I get the wc.exe with the joystick fix?

A:  wuarchive.wustl.edu in /pub/MSDOS_UPLOADS.  It's called wc1joyfx.zip


Wing Commander I,II

Q:  What is the alt-del cheat in Wing Commander I [thanks Bill Poitras]

A:  The alt-del cheat is part of a mode that origin put in the Wing Commander
    games.  you start the game wc  Origin
                               sm2 Origin
                               wc2 Origin

    And when you hit Alt-Del, the targetted ship explodes.  Lock is not
    neccessary.  If you hit Alt-Ins, then all the enemy fighters blow up, but
    not capital ships.  If you start the executable up with -k Origin, then
    your ship is invicible!!!

---------------------------- Part 4: Game Spoilers ----------------------------


[SPOILER ALERT]

This section contains common spoiler/bug/cheat questions for certain games.
Games covered are:

Might and Magic III
Lemmings

[We may want to break this off into a separate FAQ -- SPOILERS]


[SPOILER ALERT]





This section is for commonly asked questions about particular games, that
haven't or will never make it to the hint/solutions area.  Feel
free to post or email me updates and addtions to this list.  Also let me
know when walkthroughs become available so I can delete them from here.
We should try keep these to 2-4 questions per game.


Might and Magic III

Q:  What goes up and down but never moves?

A:  STAIRS


Q:  What turns everything around but does not move?

A:  MIRROR


Lemmings

Q:  How do I get a lemming to turn round? 

A:  [thanks Adrian Hurt]
    Make the lemming dig vertically, until the top of his head is level with
    the floor from which he started digging.  Then make him build.  The pit
    which he has just dug should be small enough that he can get out of it
    without being a climber, but large enough that he doesn't keep building
    over the side - the ladder will hit the side, then he will stop building
    and turn round.

Q:  How do I complete Tricky Level 23?

A:  [thanks Adrian Hurt]
    Use both bashers to get through the big barrier in the middle - two bashers
    work faster than one.  Once some lemmings are in the pit on the right of the
    barrier, make one a climber.  Just before this lemming gets to the exit,
    turn him round as described above.  Then make him a miner, so he digs a
    diagonal tunnel into the pit, up which the other lemmings can go to the
    exit.



[Others?]