<!--
	Title: (SOFTWARE GALLERY) Infocomics
	Author: Robert J. Sodaro
	Source: Run, v6(1)
	Date: January 1989
	Transcription by Steve Derby
-->

<div style="color: #004488; font-weight: bold; padding: 0.25em; float: right; font-size: 2em;">A</div>

<blockquote style="margin: 1em inherit; font-size: 1.25em; font-style: italic;">Gadzooks! I Can't Wait to<br>
See What Happens Next!</blockquote>

<figure class="float-left">
<img src="/public/img/articles/run-infocomics-review/zork-quest-screen-shot.png" alt="ZorkQuest screen shot">
<figcaption style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">An evil magician lurks beyond the walls
of Infocomic's Zorkquest: Assault on Egreth Castle.</figcaption>
</figure>

Infocomics are not games. They are a line of computerized comic books
that have a beginning, middle and ending that the reader/user cannot alter.
The computer is supposed to be interactive, so why then, you ask,
should I buy this product? Well, you may not be able to alter the outcome,
but you can determine the path and pacing of an Infocomic.

Somewhat like a "living" play, the reader follows a particular individual,
experiencing things from that person's standpoint. At certain times in the
narrative, the user has the option of jumping to another character's point
of view. This usually happens when a new character is introduced, or an on-screen
character exits. A musical note sounds and a visual cue appears, letting
the reader either branch off to the new path or continue on the existing
one. No matter what path is chosen, however, you eventually reach
the same ending. If this sounds a little confusing, remember this sort of storytelling
already exists, via flashbacks, in both written and visual fiction.

Infocomics successfully combine written words and visual images in
much the same manner as printed comics. The actual on-screen image
looks like a page of a book, with the pictures appearing above a caption.
Whenever people speak, their words appear in a panel. The art comes alive
through limited animation, zooms and pans as both the visual perspective and
the characters move and change.

With virtually no written instructions, Infocomics are simply booted
up and read on-screen. There is a short explanation of what an Infocomic is
and how it works. You can then move right into the story and methodically
advance to a conclusion.

However, so as not to miss out on some important details and relevant
interrelationships, jump io another character whenever you're given the
option. In addition to being able to move between characters, you can also
fast-forward or rewind the story to watch something again or choose a
different path.

One of the Infocomics I looked at, Gamma Force in Pit of a Thousand
Screams, follows the interplanetary adventures of Ratchet, Eskobar and Elana
as they oppose the forces of the evil Nast, who has overthrown King Franz and
sentenced him to the pit of a thousand screams. Ratchet, Eskobar and Elana are
chosen by fate to receive special powers and become the Gamma Force. Their
first mission is to rescue King Franz, overthrow Nast and reunite the King
with his long-lost daughter, Sambina. Without revealing the outcome, let me
just say that, while good triumphs over evil (naturally), the way has been laid for
sequels.

In Zorkquest: Assault on Egreth Castle, Gurthark the Stout, along with his
small band of travelers, chance upon the dark Egreth Castle that's inhabited
by the evil magician Radnor. When Radnor kidnaps Guthark's charge, a battle
breaks out as the good magician, Frobnit, and his apprentice, Dirin, lock
horns with Radnor. Here again, there's no real doubt about the outcome, but
rest assured that a part two will probably follow.

Undoubtedly, Infocom has hit upon a new application. In their own way,
they've redefined the parameters of what interactive fiction is and can do.
Future products in this line can only hope to improve the genre and perhaps
even lead to new and even more innovative applications. Still, possibly the
most exciting aspect of this software is its low $12 price tag. With that figure,
who will be able to resist trying this truly innovative piece of entertainment
software? *(Infocom, Inc., 125 Cambridgepark Drive, (Cambridge, MA 02140. C-64/$12.)*

<p class="bold right" style="font-variant: small-caps;">—Robert J. Sodaro<br>Fairfield, CT</p>
