Can you help answer some reader questions (Dungeon and ADVENT)?

[kamineko (Drew Cook)]

From time to time, I get questions from readers of Gold Machine about Infocom and related matters. I answer most of them, but I get stumped now and then. Can you help me answer these two questions?

1. In the Dungeon Master’s quiz at the end of Dungeon (mainframe Zork), one of the questions is, “What is the minimum specified value of the Zork treasures, in Zorkmids?” The answer, so far as I know, is “30,003.” A reader has asked: what the significance of the number? I.E., is it a hacker joke like the leaf count is?
2. “Drew, for years I’ve been trying to track down the cover of a computer magazine from the early '80s that was a hand drawn map of Advent. The magazine wasn’t about gaming, it was a business publication such as Datamation or a technical one such as Communications of the ACM. Are you aware of it or know of a way I might track it down?” Both of the periodicals mentioned were/are American, unless I misunderstand.

Anyone? I’m thinking of doing a “readers ask” section at the end of some posts where I would publish answers to questions like these. If you are the first to answer, I will credit you if you like. That would be my preference. Otherwise, I will cite an “anon.” Thanks in advance!

[zarf (Andrew Plotkin)]

@kamineko

The magazine wasn’t about gaming, it was a business publication such as Datamation or a technical one such as Communications of the ACM.

Is it possible the person is thinking of this map, which was on the cover of DEC Professional magazine, 1982?

https://www.mocagh.org/loadpage.php?getgame=decpro-nov82

It’s Dungeon, not Adventure, but otherwise matches the description.

[kamineko (Drew Cook)]

Now that I think on it, that’s a solid hypothesis. I didn’t even consider the possibility! I’ll ask.

[Draconis (Daniel Stelzer)]

@kamineko

In the Dungeon Master’s quiz at the end of Dungeon (mainframe Zork), one of the questions is, “What is the minimum specified value of the Zork treasures, in Zorkmids?” The answer, so far as I know, is “30,003.” A reader has asked: what the significance of the number? I.E., is it a hacker joke like the leaf count is?

If I remember right, that number comes from a 10,000-zormid bill, a pile of 20,000 1-zorkmid bills, and a coin worth three zorkmids, or something like that. Meaning the humor is that you have some treasures worth so much and some treasures worth so little.

[kamineko (Drew Cook)]

Just heard back from the reader re: the magazine. He thinks he recognizes the art. He was working at a place that used DEC hardware at the time, so it makes sense. Thanks Zarf!

@Draconis

If I remember right, that number comes from a 10,000-zormid bill, a pile of 20,000 1-zorkmid bills, and a coin worth three zorkmids, or something like that. Meaning the humor is that you have some treasures worth so much and some treasures worth so little.

Yeah, that tracks. Thanks for answering!

[Mike_G (Mike)]

Regarding the treasure:
I don’t think there is any special significance of the number itself.

The value comes from a 10,000 zorkmid coin, a stack of 200 bills worth 100 zorkmids each, and a 3 zorkmid stamp. They are the only treasures described as having specific monetary values, and the values are only shown in the long description of each item given when you look at or examine it. In the case of the coins and stamp, it’s only in the ascii art.