Good-bye to Status Line, hello to Escape

From The Status Line Volume VII, Number 3, Fall 1988
 

Here it is--the 20th edition of The Status Line. Well, of course, most of those editions were called The New Zork Times until a "major metropolitan newspaper" marshalled their cadre of lawsuit-thirsty lawyers.

After 20 newsletters we think we have somewhat perfected the medium. Our combination of news, features, nutty contests and puzzles has been praised by many, including our competitors. So as we are reshaping the world of interactive fiction and other forms of storytelling, it is time for us to push back the publishing envelope once again. We have decided to retire TSL and replace it with a full color magazine called Escape.

Don't Panic. We will still be the same publication we have always been, but now in color and with more detail about gaming in general. And don't worry about TSL, it is going to Florida to join the NZT at the retirement home for leading-edge publications.

And just think, now you won't have to take black and white film on your vacations anymore for those Landmark Photos!

Here is a sample of what to expect in the first editon of Escape:

James Clavell's Shogun--Dave Lebling's adaptation promises to make this one of our most inspiring interacive fiction stories. Incredible graphics, too.

Marc Blank sends you on a fantastic Journey--the co-author of Zork once again creates an entirely new way to experience a fantasy adventure story on your computer.

More conversions of Zork Zero and BattleTech--the excitement grows as our latest releases find their way to more and more systems.

Plus lots more!

Here it is--the 21st edition of The Status Line. Well, of course, most of those editions were called The New Zork Times until a "major metropolitan newspaper" marshalled their cadre of lawsuit-thirsty lawyers.

After 21 newsletters we think we have somewhat perfected the medium. Our combination of news features, nutty contests and puzzles has been praised by many, including our competitors. So as we are reshaping the world of interactive fiction and other forms of storytelling, it is time for us to push back the publishing envelope once again. We have decided to retire TSL and replace it with a full color magazine called ZQ.

Don't Panic. We will still be the same publication we have always been, but now in color with more detail about story-telling in general. And don't worry about TSL, it is going to Florida to join the NZT at the retirement home for leading-edge publications

And just think, now you won't have to take black and white film on your vacation anymore for those Landmark Photos!

Here is a sample of what to expect in the first edition of ZQ:

Steve Meretzky will enter tain you with the first in a series of open-ended interactive stories. In each issue of ZQ, Steve will write a segment of a story that ends with a number of choices. Your vote will determine the direction of the plot.

We'll tell you about a variety of new storytelling products, including the latest releases from Infocom.

George Alec Effinger, acclaimed sci-fi author of "When Gravity Fails," has written an original short story especially for this premier issue of ZQ.

Plus puzzles, cartoons, contests, and much more!