Scorpion's Tale

A Mind Forever Voyaging: As Told By Scorpia

Scorpia

WARNING! This article contains spoilers. Avert your eyes!

Ah, November! My favorite month! Bare trees, cold winds, long dark nights; the perfect time of year to get cozy with a warm computer and some good adventure games. But don't let me keep you here by the door...step in, settle down by the fireplace, and Fred will pour you something to take the chill off. Hmmm. That vacation trip to London didn't seem to do you much good. Had you going round in circles, eh? Well, it doesn't matter. I mean, you didn't really think you were an actual person, did you? Surprise!

A surprise indeed, to find that you are, in fact, a computer simulation and not a real person. Your entire life has been lived out, not in the physical world, but within the circuitry of a computer system. PRISM -- Perry Sim -- the first truly successful experiment in artificial intelligence.

And successful not a moment too soon. The world is in bad shape, and getting worse by the minute. To deal with this sad state of affairs, a Plan has been proposed, a Plan that calls for bold and decisive actions. It sounds good but: will it work? No one knows. Those who back the Plan are sure it's the solution, still there are some who aren't quite sure.

So, Perry Sim gets a job. A computer simulation of the world ten years hence will be created, based on putting the Plan in action. Perry's task is to enter that simulation, and report on the results. Very simple.

Of course, it isn't going to be quite so simple as all that. Yet, A Mind Forever Voyaging (AMFV) is unlike any other Infocom adventure. There are hardly any puzzles to solve until almost the very end of the game. No treasures to gather, no bottomless chasms to cross, no locked doors to open. More than anything else, AMFV is an electronic novel, in which you, as Perry Sim, observe the Plan's results as they unfold through the years.

However, don't get the idea that you just sit there and watch, although you'll be doing a lot of that. Perry DOES have an assignment, after all, and there are certain things he must record. Finding a few of the places on the list may take awhile, even with the cute map that comes with the game. It doesn't show you everything, so some exploring is necessary. Fortunately, there are no mazes in the game (yay!), so mapping is quite straight-forward.

And there are some other things Perry must be familiar with: the various connections he has, called Modes. Communications Mode, for instance, allows him to view various areas of the PRISM Project installation, such as the rooftop, the maintenance core, and Dr. Perelman's office, among others, as well as giving him access to the World News Network.

Interface Mode lets Perry interact with some of the minor computers that control things such as the life support systems of the installation, the traffic in the real world, and the computer that runs the simulations he will enter.

In Library Mode, Perry has access to a number of interesting files including data on the Plan. There is also a Sleep Mode (yes, even computers, it seems, need rest from time to time!). To get through the game successfully, it is necessary for Perry to know about all of these things and how to work with them. There is plenty of time between simulations, so use it wisely.

Keep in mind also that Perry lives in this world. It's the world he grew up in, back when he thought he was a human being. He has a family here, as well as a job (fortunately, his job is being a writer, so he has all this free time to run around the city making recordings). Rockvil is a perfect simulation of reality. What happens inside the computer can also happen outside, where Rockvil actually exists. This is what makes the simulations of the future so shattering.

Part 1 is pretty simple and straightforward. Perry enters the 10 year simulation, records everything on his list, and then "returns" with his buffer full of data. Keep in mind that the buffer has a limit, so don't run around with the recorder going all the time. Just use it where you have to and turn it off in between. If you don't get everything the first visit, you'll be sent back to record anything you missed.

Well, the world ten years up the line looks pretty good, huh? Dr. Perelman and his associates are certainly excited over the results. However, this also leaves you with nothing much to do at the moment. Boredom strikes. What's a sentient computer to do? Snoop around, of course. Take a peek at the Simulation Controller. Oho! It's been quietly chugging away on its own, and now has a 20 year simulation ready.

This is Part 2, covering simulations for 20-50 years ahead. It is much like Part 1, in that you are still walking around observing the changes through the years and making recordings of what you see and experience. However, you will quickly notice that the further ahead in time you go, the nastier the world becomes. There are many changes, none for the better, and several items on the old list aren't available any longer. The Plan is turning out to be a lot worse than anyone expected.

Which brings up the major problem of the game. The people backing the Plan, especially Senator Ryder, claim that Perry's recordings are fakes. They aren't going to let anything stop them now. Especially not "simulated data" from a make-believe person.

And so we come to Part 3. At last, Perry gets a chance to show he can do more than just watch, although again, that too is important. Things get off to an unpleasant start when the PRISM installation is taken over by the National Guard (one guess who's behind that). Then Ryder storms into Perelman's office, delivers a vitriolic diatribe (charming fellow), and stomps out again, with Perelman dragged along by the soldiers. Hooboy!

If I were you, I'd be feeling real nervous right about now. Ryder is certainly up to something, and whatever it is, it's nothing good. If you wait too long, Perry Sim will just be history. Better keep an eye out around the installation. You never know who you might see! And don't forget about Interface Mode..there ARE some things you can fiddle with yourself.

Ok, you've managed to overcome this threat, but you can't keep this up forever. Somehow, you must put an end to Ryder and his schemes once and for all. Now, if you could prove to everyone what Ryder is really like, show his true colors to the world, that would do the job. Better hurry, though, because time is running out.

Whew! So much for Ryder and his grubby Plan. The world will be a much better place without it. And now comes the reward. Oh yes, it isn't over yet! So many times, a game ends with a brief "Congratulations, you saved the universe. Rah rah" message, sort of taking the edge off your achievements. After all the hard work you put into finishing an adventure, you want something a little snazzier, some real recognition for your efforts.

Well, while there may not have been too many puzzles to solve here, you really have saved the world from a nightmarish future. And that accomplishment merits something very special. Computers, after all, are people, too. You've just proved that.

So, what is this terrific endgame? Ah, you'll just have to play the adventure through to find out! But, believe me, it's well worth it! Perry Sim, ever and always, a mind forever voyaging.....

I see by the invisible clock on the wall it's that time again. Before we close the doors, tho, a special hint for all you Bard's Tale players out there. From my mail, it seems that a lot of folks are having some problems getting into Mangar's Tower. They get the Onyx Key from Kylearan, go dashing madly off to Mangar's gate....and they STILL can't get in! Well friends, that Onyx Key is only for Mangar's front door, it's NOT the key to the gates! The only way past that gate (for now, you may find another later) is to pay a visit to the sewers, level 3. And remember, there are no big neon signs that say "Mangar lives here".

That about does it for this issue. As always, if you or any of your IMF force are....err...oops!...AHEM...as always, if you need help with an adventure game, you can reach me in the following ways: On Delphi: visit the GameSIG (found under the Groups and Clubs menu). On GEnie: stop in at the Games RoundTable (type: Scorpia to reach the Games RT). On the Source: send SMAIL to ST1030. By U.S. mail (remember to enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope if you live in the United States!):

Scorpia P.O. Box 338 Gracie Station New York, NY 10028

Until next time, happy adventuring!

Copyright 1986 by Scorpia, all rights reserved.

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