Superman Action Line

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What's the ad for?

Superman Action Line
Year
1988

Spotted in

The scoop

This ad proves 900 numbers were not only for phone sex lines. In 1988 DC launched the Superman Action line costing a whopping $2 for the first minute and $0.45 for each additional minute...and that's in 1988 dollars. Call 6 times and get a free brass pin. That's at least $12!

So did anyone out there call the Action Line? How much trouble did you get in from your folks? I wonder how successful these 900 numbers were? I wonder if it was anywhere near as successful as the F.I.S.T. phone lines. I guess we'll never know.

Indiana Jones Telephone adventure

What's the ad for?

Indiana Jones Telephone adventure
Year
1989

Spotted in

The scoop

Another telephone adventure game. This one coincided with the release of The Last Crusade. At $2.50 a call it's a much cheaper alternative to Steve Jackson's FIST telephone adventure.

Castle Mammon

What's the ad for?

Castle Mammon telephone adventure
Year
1990

Spotted in

The Scoop

Okay, so what is this advertising? Well it's a role-playing game you play by the telephone! If that isn't an antiquated notion than I don't know what is. It was designed by Steven Jackson, a well known analog game designer who you might know through his popular Munchkin game. By analog I mean not video game. Jackson was approached by a company who ran an  astrology-by-telephone lines gig. The ones you dial up and press number 6 to get the Gemini horoscope. Anyway, Jackson designed the F.I.S.T system (Fantasy Interactive Scenarios by Telephone) and in his own words was able to buy a Spanish Villa with the royalties received. This is not surprising as the first minute is $1.50 with additional minutes clocking in at $0.75. So a ten minute game will run you $8.25 and leaving you with a piece of scrap paper covered in chicken scratches.

This is what you would have heard, whispered in a low voice, upon phoning the Castle Mammon adventure line...

"The number you have dialed is not of this earth. You have opened the gateway to an alternate reality. You are being connected to another world in another time, where you are another person. Welcome to the world of FIST! "

So I have to ask, did any of you ever phone these F.I.S.T. adventures lines as kids? And more importantly...did you have you parents permission?

Thanks to http://fightingfantasy.wikia.com for the information...