<!--
	Title: Sorcerer Has the Magic Touch
	Subtitle: InfoNews Roundup
	Source: The New Zork Times, v3(1)
	Date: Winter 1984
	Transcription by Steve Derby
-->

<figure class="float-left">
	<img src="/public/img/articles/nzt-sorcerer-has-the-magic-touch/sorcerer-packaging.jpg" alt="Sorcerer Packaging">
	<figcaption>Included in the <em>Sorcerer</em> package you will find an issue of Popular Enchanting
		Magazine, the Creatures of Frobozz Infotater, and a handy storage pouch.</figcaption>
</figure>

## New Game!

*Sorcerer*, the second in the *Enchanter* series of adventures in the
mystic arts, is now available. The game was written by Steve
Meretzky, whose hilarious science fiction game, *Planetfall*, was named
by *InfoWorld* as the Best Adventure Game of 1983. In *Sorcerer*, you are a
member of the prestigious Circle of Enchanters, a position that you
achieved in recognition of your success in defeating the Warlock
Krill in *Enchanter*.

When the game starts, you realize that Belboz, the Eldest of the Circle,
and the most powerful Enchanter in the land, has disappeared. Perhaps he
has just taken a vacation, but it wouldn't be like him to leave without
letting you know. You remember that he has been experimenting with
powerful spells and dangerous demons, and you fear the worst —
that Belboz has been trapped by an evil force, and that his magic might
be turned against the Circle. And only a powerful Sorcerer can rescue
him from a terrible fate!

With its reliance on magic spells and potions, *Sorcerer* has become an
immediate hit both inside Infocom and with our crew of outside game
testers, many of whom think it's our best yet. Besides its outstanding
writing and its intricately crafted plot and problems, it boasts the largest
vocabulary of any Infocom game: over 1000 words! With your
*Encyclopedia Frobozzica*, you'll have a lot of fun researching the
*Enchanter* universe and the History of the Great Underground Empire.
The *Enchanter* series will be concluded in 1985. Look for details in
future issues of *The New Zork Times*.

## Technical Hot-Line

Infocom has established a direct line to our technical support staff.
Call (617) 576-3190 for answers to questions of a technical nature (e.g.,
disk problems, game bugs, etc.). Please note that this is not a hint line.

## Hint Booklets

In December, Infocom's long-awaited direct mail operation got
underway. Many of the functions formerly provided by the Zork Users
Group were taken over by Infocom. Maps and InvisiClues hint booklets
were produced for all 10 of Infocom's products. The games
themselves were also made available primarily as a service to those of you
in remote geographical areas and to those who own the less common
computer systems.

Orders are processed by the Creative Fulfillment division of the
DM Group, one of the most respected firms in direct mail. Their
facilities are in the New York metropolitan area, which explains the
strange addresses and phone numbers you'll see on the order forms.
There were admittedly some annoying start-up problems, but the
operation is now running smoothly. We hope that those of you who
experienced problems with your first order will give us another chance.

## Zork Fan in Orbit

When she's in the air, Sally Ride, the nation's first woman to go into
space, is occupied with the computers on the space shuttle
Challenger. But when she gets her feet back on the ground, she turns to
Infocom for entertainment. Sally's favorite computer pastime is none
other than *Zork*. "*Zork* is going to drive me to my knees," Sally said in
a recent magazine interview.

## Zork in Print

Steve Meretzky, author of *Planetfall* and *Sorcerer*, has written
three "What Do I Do Now?" books for the Tor Young Adult Adventure
series. They are titled *ZORK: The Forces of Krill*, *ZORK: The
Malifestro Quest*, and *ZORK: The Cavern of Doom*. Look for them at
your local book store

## New Systems

Infocom is committed to producing versions of its software for all
popular microcomputers. We are proud to announce three new
systems with which Infocom software is compatible: the Kaypro II
(with CP/M), MS-DOS 2.0 (with IBM compatible disk, 80 characters
x 25 line screen or 40 characters x 25 line screen), and TI-99/4A (32K
memory expansion, disk drive, and one of the following modules:
Extended Basic, Mini-Memory, or Editor/Assembler).

Fortunately, Infocom's IBM versions were written in such a way
that they run unmodified on the new PCjr.

Infocom certainly has the widest range of compatibilities of any software
producer. The 17 systems are now: Apple II, Atari, Commodore
64, CP/M, DEC Rainbow or DECmate, IBM PC or PCjr, Kaypro
II, MS-DOS 2.0, NEC APC, NEC PC-8000, Osborne, PDP-11,
TI-99/4A, TI Professional, TRS-80 Model I, TRS-80 Model III, and
Tandy 2000.

Watch *The New Zork Times* for news of new system compatibilities.
Be sure to tell your friends who have been waiting to experience Infocom's
interactive fiction on their (previously incompatible) systems.

## Info Brochure

Enclosed with this issue of *The New Zork Times* is a copy of
Infocom's new product brochure, "Our Circuits, Ourselves!" We
would love to hear any comments you may have about it. Address them
to Mr. Delwood Bland, Infocom, 55 Wheeler St., Cambridge, MA 02138.

## Rumor

We have heard a rumor that someone is planning a parody of *Zork*
titled *Dork: The Mediocre Empire*.
