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  LOGOLOG
a weblog of wordplay by Eric Harshbarger

Memory of GAMES

Page 13 of the February 2007 issue of GAMES magazine begins a three page wordplay, maze, riddle-like puzzle entitled "Escape from the Dungeon" by Scott Marley. I enjoyed this puzzle very much; not only was it well crafted and visually superb, it reminded me of a similar puzzle that the same magazine had well over twenty years ago. I can't remember the exact name or premise of the earlier puzzle, but it was not this exact one (even though this recent one was taken from their "Classic Games Department", I'm almost positive that it was not the one I saw in my youth).

I remember completing that similar puzzle as a child (boy, I wish I could remember the specifics!) and it really bringing a smile to my face. I was so enchanted with its style that I even remember drawing up a similar puzzle on two sheets of blank paper taped together. I came up with my own wordplay tricks... my own riddles... and finished it all with colored pencils.

After a childhood filled with puzzle solving (Rubik's Cubes, anagrams, pentominoes, word searchs, everything else), this instance very well may have been my first real atempt at creating an intricate puzzle of my own.

The memories are a little fuzzy at this point; maybe I'm romanticizing the whole episode. But "Escape from the Dungeon" reminded me of that spurt of inspiration during my early teenage years. Now, as I sit here, in my mid-thirties, working at a job as a professional puzzle designer... writing a weblog about wordplay... I'm happy that there are a couple more dots in my life I can connect.

-- Eric

[27 November 2006]
   
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Comments about this article:
Yes, it was called Escape from the Forest and was also created by Scott Marley. It appeared in a 1984 Games magazine issue and was reprinted in their 1997 20-y6ear Anniversary Special.

Posted by: Barbara Podber


Thank you! That solves that nagging mystery.

Posted by: Eric Harshbarger


If you are interested, Games Magazine has reprinted Escape from the Forest in its May 2007 edition.

Posted by: Barbara Podber


Escape from the Dungeon was published before Escape from the Forest. Both were by the same author and both were reprinted this year, in the same order (Dungeon, then Forest).

These are literally two of my favorite features in Games Magazine of all time. I was thrilled when I saw what I *thought* was a new puzzle by the same author this year. I can't say I'm disappointed that it's a reprint, but I would still love a 3rd puzzle in this series.

Posted by: Rorke Haining


I also remember Escape from the [Forest?] I'm not much of a puzzler solver (I like to be able to just see the answer with a leap of intuition) so I'm sure I just read the answers after getting stumped. But I recall liking it too.

Posted by: Jason


 
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