+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
              UPDATE TO THE INFOCOM BUGS LIST
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                   As printed last issue
                  Compiled by C.E. Forman
                First printed in XYZZY News

After "The Infocom Bugs List" appeared in XYZZYnews #2, we
received several additions and corrections to the list. Some were
new bugs we hadn't seen before, and others clarified which version
numbers of the games in which certain bugs were present. Thanks to
all the contributors (listed below) who took the time to set the
record straight!

Bureaucracy

In the PC version (I don't know about any others), if you type
RING THE DOORBELL in front of the Mansion, it works fine. However,
you can stand in front of your own house and type RING DOORBELL,

and you get the same results as if you were in front of the
Mansion.
     --Doug Atkinson

Deadline

Version 26 of Deadline does not have the "two Dunbars" bug (as
reported in XYZZYnews #2). It was fixed in an earlier version.

The "bathroom door" bug only exists in release 19/820427. Later
versions had it fixed, while earlier versions hadn't had the south
closet door added yet.

Two of the bugs mentioned in the New Zork Times Exterminator
columns were never fixed. All versions of the game fail to
recognize the player as being in the room when he is sitting on a
piece of furniture.  Likewise, all versions of Deadline look only
at the first six letters of each word, so the confusion between
GARDEN and GARDENer was never resolved.
     --Paul David Doherty

Enchanter

The bug that lets you fill the jug and get spells anywhere in the
game is not present in release 10 (as reported in XYZZYnews #2),
only earlier versions.
     --Paul David Doherty

Leather Goddesses of Phobos

This isn't exactly a bug, but sort of an excessively long way to
go to avoid having to add another feature to the game: The
software is very unwilling to let you take the portable transport
into the mad scientist's house on Venus. He'll even "drop" it from
within another container.
     --John Payson

The "purple button" (XYZZYnews #2) bug is only in the Solid Gold
versions. None of the earlier releases had this problem.
     --Paul David Doherty

Sorcerer

I had stated before that in Sorcerer, it was impossible to GNUSTO
the GOLMAC spell, since you couldn't get into the room that held
the GOLMAC scroll if you were carrying your spell book. But
someone on rec.games.int-fiction pointed out that, if you cast the
GASPAR spell on yourself, and then leave the room without picking
up the scroll, you'll reappear in the room after you're
resurrected. When this happens, all your possessions will be
intact, and you'll be able to take the scroll and GNUSTO GOLMAC.
Unfortunately, the Infocom programmers never planned for this, so
casting it elsewhere in the game doesn't accomplish anything.
Interesting trick, though.
     --C.E. Forman

Suspect

Last issue's "Infocom Bug Report" inaccurately stated that the bug
allowing players to reach the office before Veronica's murder had
been fixed in the LTOI release. Actually, this one is still
present. To make it work, you have to get to the office by going
west 3 times, south 6 times, west twice, and then north twice.
This will get you to the office at 9:13 P.M., where you will see
the fairy mask, but not the description of Veronica's body.
Although Veronica actually reaches the office at 9:11, two minutes
earlier (which can be confirmed by playing the game using ZIP for
DOS with the -o switch active), her description doesn't turn up
until 9:14. Typing "LOOK" the turn after you enter the office will
cause time to pass, making it 9:14, and Veronica's body will
suddenly appear out of nowhere.
     --Paul David Doherty

Trinity

Saying "ROADRUNNER, DROP ME" results in "The roadrunner drops
yourself at your feet." The room description then says "There's
yourself here."  Leaving the location and coming back does not
change the situation. And strangely, referring to the dropped

"yourself" is interpreted by the game as an attempt to interact
with the roadrunner. The roadrunner will only drop "you" once --
trying it again causes the game to say "The roadrunner doesn't
have that."

Carrying the splinter into the bottom of the reservoir also
reveals a small blooper. The room description talks about the
lantern's beam, even if you are carrying the splinter instead of
the lantern. Evidently the author never considered the possibility
of someone going to the Trinity site without solving all the other
puzzles first.

The "shining" bug, which involves getting a string of garbage
from shining the splinter without specifying an object, is not
present in the LTOI version. Earlier versions should have it,
though.
     --C.E. Forman



The Witness

The bug allowing you to get a drink anywhere in the game is still
present in the LTOI version.
     --Paul David Doherty

Zork II

If you time it right, you can blow up the base of the volcano
while in the balloon. This requires dropping the bomb on the
ground and lighting it, then crawling into the basket before it
explodes. If you do it right, the computer should tell you that
the balloon settles to the ground, followed by "You can't go that
way."
     --John Payson

Zork III

I found this bug in Zork III, but it also exists in most
Dungeon/Zork ports. While you're shoving blocks around to solve
the Royal Puzzle, drop the gold card in the slot to open the door,
then move a block in front of the door and leave the usual way
(via the ladder). Walk around to the side door and you'll find
it's not blocked! You can walk through the solid stone block back
into the puzzle, but you can't leave that way. I reported this bug
to Infocom many years ago, but I doubt it was ever fixed.
     --Dave Newkirk












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