diff --git a/cromulant/ants.py b/cromulant/ants.py
index f7bde8d..8638b5a 100644
--- a/cromulant/ants.py
+++ b/cromulant/ants.py
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ class Ants:
         return top, top_score
 
     @staticmethod
-    def merge(ant_1: Ant | None = None) -> None:
+    def merge(ant_1: Ant | None = None) -> bool:
         from .game import Game
 
         def split(ant: Ant) -> list[str]:
@@ -232,12 +232,12 @@ class Ants:
             ant_1 = Ants.random_ant()
 
         if not ant_1:
-            return
+            return False
 
         ant_2 = Ants.random_ant([ant_1])
 
         if not ant_2:
-            return
+            return False
 
         words_1 = split(ant_1)
         words_2 = split(ant_2)
@@ -252,13 +252,15 @@ class Ants:
             name = f"{combo[0]} {combo[1]}"
 
             if (name == ant_1.name) or (name == ant_2.name):
+                name = ""
                 continue
 
             if (name in names) or (name in Utils.names):
+                name = ""
                 continue
 
         if not name:
-            return
+            return False
 
         Ants.set_terminated(ant_1)
         Ants.set_terminated(ant_2)
@@ -275,6 +277,7 @@ class Ants:
         Ants.ants.append(ant)
         Game.add_update(ant)
         Ants.hatch()
+        return True
 
     @staticmethod
     def clear() -> None:
diff --git a/cromulant/game.py b/cromulant/game.py
index 67e9b73..05ed246 100644
--- a/cromulant/game.py
+++ b/cromulant/game.py
@@ -180,8 +180,11 @@ class Game:
         Game.last_update = num
 
         if num == Method.merge:
-            Ants.merge()
-            return
+            if Ants.merge():
+                return
+
+            # If merge failed
+            num = max_num
 
         status = ""
         method = "normal"
diff --git a/cromulant/manifest.json b/cromulant/manifest.json
index 2f699ea..5b3faf4 100644
--- a/cromulant/manifest.json
+++ b/cromulant/manifest.json
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 {
-    "version": "1.0.0",
+    "version": "1.1.0",
     "title": "Cromulant",
     "program": "cromulant",
     "author": "madprops",