<!--
	Title: (From Fantasy To Video Game Reality) Deadline
	Author: Richard Cook
	Source: PC Magazine, v1(8)
	Date: December 1982
	Transcription by Steve Derby
-->

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<p class="larger tight"><strong>DEADLINE</strong></p>
Infocom<br>
55 Wheeler St.</br>
Cambridge, MA 02138<br>
(617) 492-1031<br>
<strong>List Price:</strong> $49.95<br>
<strong>Requires:</strong> 48K, one disk drive<br>
<strong>Age-group:</strong> 14 to adult<br>
<strong>Number of Players:</strong> One
</div>

The dead man in *Deadline* is the millionaire philanthropist Marshall Robner,
killed by an overdose of ebullion, a powerful antidepressant. Suicide is suspected,
but there are some unanswered questions. It is the Inspector’s job to conduct an investigation
and to determine whether Robner’s death was an accident, a suicide,
or the result of a heinous murder.

The investigation begins at the Robner estate at 8 a.m. The Inspector (player) has
only 12 hours in which to interview the people who live and work there, search for
clues overlooked by the police, and uncover evidence leading to a possible suspect.

A dossier labeled "Documentary Evidence" contains the particulars of the
case: a letter from the deceased's attorney, the coroner's report, a lab report, a photograph
of the location at which Robner's body was found, tablets found near the
body, some official memos, and transcripts of interviews with Robner's wife, son, secretary,
business partner, and housekeeper. The dossier also includes the Inspector's
Casebook (also known as the instruction manual), an IBM Interlogic Reference
card, a warranty card, and, of course, one floppy disk. Information contained in the
casebook is vital to the success of the investigation.

<blockquote class="float-left larger" style="border-top: 4px solid; border-bottom: 1px solid; text-align: center; padding: 0.5em 0.25em; font-weight: bold;">
<em>PLAYERS HAVE been known to do without food or sleep
until the case has been solved.</em>
</blockquote>

## Use of Graphics

Just as a good mystery story needs no illustrations. Deadline neither has nor
needs graphics. The program stimulates players’ imaginations with verbal descriptions
and the enigma of a Sherlock Holmes mystery.

## Error Handling

*Deadline* is not without its limitations. A player will find it difficult to question
the characters involved unless the questions are carefully and politely worded.
*Deadline* will not accept peculiar input. Commands must be phrased carefully or
the program will respond. "Come again?" or "I'm sorry. I don't understand that."

<blockquote class="float-right larger" style="border-top: 4px solid; border-bottom: 1px solid; text-align: center; padding: 0.5em 0.25em; font-weight: bold;">
<em>THE PLAYER has only 12 hours in which to solve the murder.</em>
</blockquote>

The Inspector deals with people who are undergoing great stress. Some may be
reluctant to talk to the police, and one of them may be a murderer. Failure to proceed
swiftly in a logical and orderly manner may result in the loss of valuable clues
or in the death of another person — even the Inspector.

## Warranty Support

*Deadline* will quickly reveal one thing: It is a program of the highest quality. The
program is thoroughly researched and tested, and it is virtually flawless. Infocom,
Inc. provides a limited warranty that covers the performance of the disk for a
period not to exceed 90 days from the date of purchase.

Deadline is an interesting, sophisticated program with a wide range of responses
that guarantee that each play of the game will be fascinating and unique. The pleasures
of discovering clues, building a case, and outwitting a fiendishly clever murderer
should provide entertainment and challenge enough for any detective. Players
have been known to do without food or sleep until the case has been solved. Rumor
has it that Infocom, Inc. has even more difficult riddles of detection coming
in the near future

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*Richard Cook is a free-lance writer based in San Francisco.*
