Goodies in this issue . . . MudgeonÕs Distillations: Bits of Important Stuff ¥ Acclaim Promotes Two ¥ Open Arch. for ITV ¥ AOL Racks Up Redgate ¥ BlimeyÐAppleÕs London ¥ Apple Into VR ¥ Bell Atlantic Bets Billions ¥ Yet Another Soccer Title to Debut ¥ NewLeaf to Offer In-Store Software Delivery ¥ Rent-Nintendo-Carts ¥ More on the Nintendo Patent Violation ¥ Prima Moving On ¥ Townsend to Rock on CD-ROM. ¥ Samsung AinÕt SinginÕ ¥ Merger on their Mind ¥ More Info on Sega Enhancement Unit ¥ SGI into Japanese Multimedia ¥ Sony Intros PlayStation Chip ¥ Spectrum Signs Eight ST:TNG Actors for Title ¥ Soccer Game Gets Scorpion Tunes Within the Cellophane: New Products of Note ¥ Action-Adventure from Bungie Software ¥ CD-ROMs Debut from Capstone ¥ Compton Debuts Two ¥ Video Game Network Announced ¥ Interplay Into C.E.S. ¥ Non-Violent Arcade ¥ More Comic Relief from Dennis Miller ¥ VR Headset for Home Impressions ÐRaptor from Apogee ÐBetrayal at Krondor CD-ROM from Dynamix ÐArctic Baron from ReadySoft ÐEricÕs Ultimate Solitaire from Delta Tao Plus: Sneak Peak and Mudgeon on Games (D-DAY and DABBLER) MudgeonÕs Distillations: Bits of Important Stuff ¥ There is usually naught more pleasing than a promo! Acclaim has managed to promote two to new positions with the company. They are Arlynn Manaras to Manager, Creative Services, and Christienne Raimondi to Manager, Customer Service. Outstanding! Our congrats! ¥ Plans are in the works by Apple Computer, IBM, and Scientific-Atlanta Inc., to address ITV (interactive television) with a combined business and technical team set on the creation of a new, open architecture for that environment. Bet your bottom buck that Open Doc, PowerPC, and ScriptX are gonna be visible entities within this operating realm. Once again, leading PC manufacturers are discussing cross-platform architecture's for multimedia development. ¥ And speaking of Apple, and that companyÕs interest in real-time video (which can create even cooler and mucho better games), now you can keep an eye open for MovieTalk. This QuickTime (v.2.0?) based digital publishing format was debuted at the companyÕs recent Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). It works with a variety of algorithms for compression and decompression as well as on Macs, PowerPCs, and other platforms as well. Also expect this puppy to run QuickTime for Windows, which is now in development at Apple. ¥ Nothing finer that continued business machinations as companyÕs swallow others whole. Now America Online has purchased Redgate Communications, a company well known for their multimedia and print projects. One of their products is none other than the CD-ROM offering En Passant which Redgate developed in conjunction with Apple Computer and EDS. Around 444,000 shares of AOL Common Stock is the deal for Redgate share holders. ¥ If youÕve got a Newton and youÕre heading to jolly olÕ England (London, specifically), check out the new title entitled Time Out London Guide. This is a product produced jointly by Apple Computer and TimeOut magazine. Yep, itÕs a cart for the Newton PDA and has hotel, services, and attractions listings. ¥ Digital World proved to be an excellent platform for Apple Computer to demo their QuickTime VR. UsersÕll be able to view photo or rendered scenes in 360 degrees, zoom in or out, navigate from scene to scene, and even retrieve and look at objects in those scenes. No matter how you change the scene youÕre looking at, the correct perspective is constantly maintained. Why, youÕd think you were really there! WhatÕs best is that you wonÕt need any special hardware or software to view QuickTime VR. Your virtual world is represented photographically and all youÕll need is QuickTime with your Mac or Windows-based computer. The first licensee of this technology is Simon & Schuster Interactive. ¥ Billions of bucks is what Bell Atlantic is gonna pour into their video comm and interactive digital networkÑ11 billion, to be exact. Over the next five years, some 20 markets situated in the mid-Atlantic geographic region of the U.S. will be served. Bell Atlantic fully expects to be in over 8 million homes by the turn of the next century. (And that sure as heck isnÕt that far away, my friends.) The program is called BAnet and will carry analog and digital info in its two-way service. Throw in interactive multimedia television (yep, another acronym to learnÑIMTVÑused to be just ITV) into the mix with the video dialtone network available for any service or content provider, and you can see the future starting to gel. Several switched technologies will be utilized. One hitch, however, is that the FCC still has to approve Bell AtlanticÕs plan. ¥ A cool title, to be sureÑPlanet Soccer. And this new title is going to be coming your way, hoping to capitalize on the World Cup mania sweeping the world, from none other than I¥Motion of Santa Monica, CA. The title will allegedly contain over 6,000 animations, 11 cameras zooms per player, and more than 30 teams of 15 players each, plus three different goal keeper styles. YouÕll also apparently be able to view the game in 3D right from the playing field itself. The SRP is supposed to be around $50 and the platform is MS-DOS. ¥ Watch for Geffen Records to parlay a variety of artistsÕ music videos into a CD-ROM game. Expect a late fall delivery for this offering entitled Vid Grid. Also, Geffen, Aerosmith, and CompuServe are trying something new! They are going to download an entire, brand new song with full broadcast quality from the rock group entitled ÒHead First.Ó ThisÕll be a free download whichÕll take between one hour and 90 minutes to download, depending upon the speed of your modem. The file is 4.3MB in size. You can access this cool download by typing in GO AEROSMITH while on CIS. Aerosmith has waived their royalties for the song, so CIS has suspended connect charges for this download. A real first! ¥ I tell you, the video game industry is certainly becoming more and more proactive. Lemme tell you about a technology from NewLeaf Entertainment (the result of a Blockbuster and IBM joint venture) thatÕll allow in-store electronic delivery of software. Rumor has it that local servers will pack the code for a broad range of video games. Customers would bring in erasable, flash memory carts (or, betcha they could even buy them at the store), which would then download the game from the server in about 20 seconds. Both Nintendo and Sega are said to be involved in this development, however, they could demand licensing fees for reprogrammable carts development. And donÕt you think, no, not for a minute, that NewLeaf hasnÕt looked beyond video games. Why, thereÕs audio CDs, multiplatform CD-ROMs, or ANY rewritable software format. However, donÕt expect the music industry to immediately embrace NewLeaf and itÕs audio CDs potential. ¥ No wonder! After falling from an over 90 percent share of the video game market in 1991 to around 70 percent in 1994, Nintendo has reversed an earlier decision they made when they stated they would NOT send any of their titles to retailers who rented video games to customers. Heavens, youÕre looking at an over $1 billion market when you look at video game rentals. Nintendo may also have been sneaking peeks at arch-rival Sega, who do allow their games to be rented, and whose product penetration has been on the rise. Like Sega, Nintendo will also be maxing their titles through a modem cable that allows players to compete against one another, in real time, throughout the country. (See Catapult Into Success in Within the Cellophane section.) ¥ We told you in last weekÕs issue about Alpex Computer Corporation of Connecticut winning a suit they filed in 1980 against Nintendo of America. Seems as though the manner in which game carts work to make various elements move and interact on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), according to a New York jury, violates the Alpex patent for such operations. AlpexÕ legal council also indicated that the patent could be furthered to encompass the SNES and Game Boy, as well. Alpex is hoping to recoup damages estimated to be around $300 million. Bet your bottom buck Nintendo is gonna appeal. And donÕt expect them to run around pulling product from shelves any time soon. ¥ Next to death and taxes, the most trying and stressful undertaking anyone can undertake is that of moving. One of the most successful game book publishers has now accomplished such a feat. The new address of Prima Publishing is 3875 Atherton Road, Rocklin, CA - 95765. Their phone number is 916/632-4000. ¥ Magic Quest is an educational software developer based in northern California. Sanctuary Woods, a multimedia title developer and publisher originally birthed in Canada and an Electronic Arts Affiliate label, also has offices in Northern California. It now appears as though the latter is gonna acquire the former. Sanctuary Woods common stock would pay for the issued and outstanding shares of Magic Quest at $0.95 per share. The to-be-acquired company is best known for their MathAceª educational game that features an arcade style of learning. ¥ Pete TownsendÑThe WhoÑTommyÑnow all will be on a CD-ROM, thanks to an agreement between RoundBook Publishing Group and Kardana Productions. The latter is the co-producer of The WhoÕs Tommy, the Broadway musical. This title will expose the user to every aspect of Tommy, even to the 1969 Woodstock performance that has become legend. ¥ We can tell you what Samsung isnÕt going to doÑtheyÕre not gonna intro a 3DO player and theyÕre not gonna build a CD-i player! Could the current financial queries regarding both technologies be the root cause of the companyÕs reluctance? ¥ Some companies are smart, others not quite so . . .take Sega, for example. They had around 400 employees last year. This year, that number has ramped up to over 1,000--and the company is still hiring! Their preponderance of 16-bit video games simply allows them to access todayÕs technology with the best they can squeeze from that configuration. However, as you well know, coming this November is their 32X add-on unit for existing Genesis game systems that rams the 16-bit units into 32-bit wonderments. Throw in the ÒpossibilityÓ that current 16-bit carts will also run in this add-on and you have super value-added to the 32X. Price? How about $149.00, SRP. The unit will offer cooler animations, much faster game control, and super sound. Also look for a new Sonic the Hedgehog cart thatÕll feature an Australian anteater known as Knuckles. Why is it the Sega seems to be really maximizing customer impact with intelligent decisions? That takes bread, and with SegaÕs parent company doling out somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 million each year for R&D, well, you gotta expect somethinÕ cool for your money. Plus Sega is taking advantage of the fact that 16-bit carts sales are starting to slow. The consumer needs something zippier, something deeper, and 32-bit games is the ticket to continued success. Also look for Sega to announce a joint venture soon wherein theyÕll be dumping video games via a game modem so folk can play one another, in real-time, from locations across the country! (See Catapult Into Success story in Within the Cellophane section.) ¥ Sony CorporationÕs foray into the world of video gaming is coming when the company releases their PlayStationª product. This technology has already been licensed to a number of developers all over the world for product development. Thanks to LSI Logic Corporation, the unitÕs CPU chip is actually a 32-bit MPIS RISC processor with a 3D geometry engine called GTE. This graphics engined can generate 360,000 polygons per second and 4,000 2D images (called sprites) can be moved in a field. The decompression system is based on JPEG technology and is called MDEC, allowing for high-res, full-motion video performance. Japan expects to be the locale for this unitÕs debut by the end of this year. The U.S.A. and Europe are expected to receive their first units in 1995. ¥ Good news for Star Trek: The Next Generation fans. Spectrum HoloByte has signed eight of the lead actors from this TV series to use their voices in their upcoming interactive title on CD-ROM. ¥ A pretty neat happenstance for T¥HQ, Inc., the video game developer and distributor. Seems as though the company has managed a private placement of over $4-1/2 billion through the sale of 7,996,500 units. Each unit consists of one share of common stock and a warrant to purchase one-half share of common stock of the company at $1.00 per share. These units are not registered for public sale and are subject to other restrictions. The Company is gonna use these proceeds for repayment of bank debt and general working capital. The company will also market and sell a new modem from Catapult Entertainment that enables Sega and Nintendo gamers to play against one another in real-time from different locations. (See Under the Cellophane). ¥ The Scorpions, Mercury Recording artists, have signed a deal with video game maker U.S. Gold. Their song, ÒNo Pain, No GainÓ happens to be THE official song of the German National Soccer Team. So, it kinda makes sense this group would be interested in providing music for an officially licensed soccer video game for World Cup USA Õ94. Special versions of ÒNo Pain, No GainÓ and ÒUnder the Same SunÓ will appear on the Sega CD and PC CD-ROM versions of U.S. GoldÕs World Cup USA Õ94 game. Within the Cellophane: New Products of Note Texture Mapping Reaches Space Bungie Software (312/563-6200) is planning on shipping, quite soon, their new action adventure game, Marathon. This title features the fastest, most realistic playing environment for Mac gamers, sending you into space where you must contend with an alien onslaught of unprecedented ferocity. The technology is state-of-the-art. Textures cover all surfaces in the Marathon world. Unlike traditional 3D game designs that employ polygon graphics, MarathonÕs real-time texture mapping, dynamic lighting effects, and active panning stereo sound create a startlingly life-like physical setting. An original, digitized soundtrack heightens intensity of play in more than 45 levels. The automapping feature tracks your every move. The game is set far in the future on a colony ship in outer space. A science officer on the mission, you are the last hope for defending the ship as hostile and intelligent aliens prepare to destroy every living thing. ThereÕs futuristic weaponry, horrifying new creatures, and hundreds of miles of terrain over multiple elevations. The Marathon engine is sophisticated enough to create non-orthogonal spaces, resulting in arbitrarily-shaped rooms. In another breakthrough, the aliens utilize a dynamic-sensing A.I. that makes them clever adversaries. The SRP is $69.99 and youÕll need a Mac running Macintosh System Software v. 6.0.5 or better, plus a hard drive. An 8-bit color monitor is also required. The game will ships as a FatApp, meaning it will provide optimal performance on 68k-based and RISC-based Macs. Three Titles Debut for CD-ROM Capstone (305/591-5900) is going to be showing three new titles at the Consumer Electronics Show. The first is Corridor 7: Alien Invasion, which now features IPX network play for as many as 12 players. For PC CD-ROM, players select a human or alien character as you interact with this action game powered by an enhanced Wolfensteinª 3D engine. There are now more players, more levels, more weapons, and more enemies, all with CD audio quality soundtracks. The SRP is $59.95. Another new title is Body Count. Mass chaos erupts when militant terrorists take over the new United Nations Towers building and hold a group of ambassadors hostage on the top floor. YouÕre a member of the cityÕs Elite Force, trained to take out terrorists Òwhen the talking stops.Ó Battle your way through 40 floors of non-stop destruction and terror to save the hostages! Expected release date is in October of this year. The third new title is Zorro, for an SRP of $59.95. This is an action adventure game that features full-motion video, based on that famous swashbuckling hero of yesteryearÑand soon-to-be Steven Spielberg major picture, Zorro. You are the defender of the innocent, armed with only your whip and blade. You must brave the desert wilderness of 19th century California on a quest for stolen gold. Watch for this title to hit your retailerÕs shelves in November. Focus on Self-Help and Math Techniques The new Information Division of ComptonÕs New Media has debuted two new CD-ROM titles. The first is Focus for Successª, a title that helps users sharpen their concentration skills and focus on short and long term goals. The program tests whether the user is patient or tends to jump the gun. Other techniques include the use of games and exercises to develop the userÕs ability to concentrate, despite distractions. The program then reviews these traits and offers suggestions for suitable jobs, avocations, and entertainment as the CD-ROM presents real-life situations the user might encounter. This title is a dual format CD-ROM, playable on both Mac and MPC computers. The SRP is $49.95. The second title is The Human Calculator. ComptonÕs brings Scott Flansburg, the renowned human calculator of TV and book fame, brings his mathematical motivation and expertise to this title. This fully animated title features creative math strategies and action-packed math games that transform any student into a Human Calculator math whiz. In addition to math lessons, tests and game, the Human Calculator also teaches some clever skills in a section entitled ÒCool Tricks.Ó Figure cube roots instantly in your heads and figure out the day of the week at any time in the past, present or future. Once users have mastered and successfully completed the four categories within this offering, they can become genuine Human Calculators. As a reward, the program prints out a Human Calculator certificate in honor of the achievement. The SRP is $39.95. YouÕll need a 386SX/25 or better, 2MB RAM minimum, DOS 5.0 or later, an SVGA card and monitor, a sound card and a CD-ROM drive. New Game Network Unveiled Catapult Entertainment, Inc. (408/366-1735) has been launched. The companyÕs senior executives were formerly with Sony Pictures, General Magic, and T¥HQ. The companyÕs first venture will be to establish a video game network service that enables multiple video game players to compete against one another in real-time from different locations via a Catapult-designed modem. The initial products will be a modem distributed by video game publisher T¥HQ and a network service for the Sega and Nintendo 16-bit platforms. CatapultÕs modem and service are designed to support all of todayÕs popular multiplayer video games without modification to either game machine or software. The company expects the retail price of the modem to be similar to the price of many video games themselves. Access to the service will be in the range of $5 to $10 per month, depending upon usage. Catapult is also planning to host tournaments with prizes for game players. Users can subscribe to the network with a check or credit card. Alternatively, they can pay for the service in cash with a rechargeable SmartCard which functions as a debit card when inserted into the Catapult modem. All transactions on the network are made by a local phone call so costs are low to game players. When connected to the network, players will receive game play tips, scores, their rankings, and updates on players and competitions available through the network. The network will then match and connect them with an available player or a player of their choosing. In order to compete, both players must have their own copies of the game cartridge they wish to play. The modem and service will be launched in several major markets this winter. InterplayÕs Title Debuts at CES No question but that Interplay (714/553-6655) continues to play an important role in electronic entertainment. At CES, the company plans to announce several new titles. Cyberiaª is a futuristic title that sees global terrorists and mankind on the brink of destruction. Top that off with the ultimate doomsday device having been found, designed in an era of peace by the most brilliant minds in nano and cybernetic technology, and you have a visual thriller with cinematic and action sequences unlike anything seen before. The sound effects and musical scoring was performed by the internationally renowned recording artist Thomas Dolby himself. For 386/25 or better, you need 4MB of RAM, DOS 3.1 or higher, MPC-compliant CD-ROM, hard drive and a mouse. Then thereÕs Voyeurª, starring Robert Culp and Grace Zabriskie. This is a political thriller thriller that finds a decorated fighter pilot, astronaut and CEO of Hawk Technologies empire deciding to run for President of the United States. However, one member of his family does not which him to attain this position and will expose Reed Hawke, who will stop at nothing to silence his family. ThereÕs love, lust, revenge, betrayal and murder in this MPC-compliant CD-ROM title, requiring a 386/40 or better and 2MB of RAM. Stonekeepª is an epic adventure where you use your own hands and feet to rescue your allies from evil. Full-screen 3D rendered dungeons and creatures and a specially designed interface that utilizes only the mouse and cursor keys, youÕll traverse 13 separate and spectacular domains. For 386/40s or better with 4MB of RAM, DOS 6.0, and MPC-compliant CD-ROM, this FRPG also supports most major sound cards. A strangely titled Zombie Dinos from the Planet Zeltoidª is yet another offering which contains dinosaurs, a stolen time machine, and evil alien Brain Blobs bent on taking over the Earth. Dexter, a dinodroid who has escaped the aliensÕ mind control, has stolen their time machine to warn you of this evil plan. You must now use the time machine to travel back to the past and, with the aid of Dexter and the shipÕs computer, find the dinosaurs and stop the aliens. For 386/40s or better, this should be released in the fourth quarter. Kingdomª: The Far Reachesª finds the amulet known as The Hand shattered into five pieces and hidden throughout the Far Reaches. Dark magic has spread throughout the land and evil wizard Torlok has begun his reign of terror. For all ages, this epic adventure finds you, the last of the Argent Kings, trying to seek out and rejoin the shattered pieces of the amulet and reclaim the magic of the old ways to restore freedom to the world. For 386s or better with 2MB of RAM, this title is also slated for a fourth quarter release. Other new or enhanced CD-ROM titles coming from Interplay include Bridge Deluxe II with Omar Shariff CD-ROMª, SimAnt Enhanced CD-ROMª, SimCity Enhanced CD-ROMª, and Mario Teaches Typing Enhanced CD-ROMª. In the next issue, weÕll reveal some of InterplayÕs new DOS titles that do not require a CD-ROM drive. So, stay tuned, friends! Luxenberg Software, Inc. The issue of violence within computer games has been of special interest to our politicians. Now thereÕs an arcade game that offers parents and children can enjoy an action-packed alternative with Alien Arcade from Luxenberg Software, Inc. (203/236-1993). This title is a collection of six non-violent arcade games. All share an extraterrestrial theme. Andromedroids presents the challenge to assemble as many robots as possible from parts that drop out of the parts chute. Each robot must be assembled from three parts placed in the correct order. Fungus Patrol finds you tethered to a ship by a bungee cord. You must bungee jump in the direction of the fungus spores that must be cleaned up. But, if the fungus gets the bungee cord before you get the fungus, the cord is eaten through and the game is over. Other games include Nerdoidsª, Quasar Klutzesª, Quasar Rainª, and Stink Snakes of Saturnª. Each game provides an infinite number of increasingly difficult waves and has its own daily and all-time high score board. Games are suitable for ages five and older. The program runs on color and black and white Macintosh computers. Required is Macintosh System Software v. 6.0.5 or higher. The game is System 7 compatible. The SRP is $49.95. More Comic Relief The second title resultant of an agreement between Sanctuary Woods Multimedia (415/578-6340) and Miller¥Pickering Syndications is Dennis Miller ThatÕs Geek to Me. This is a computer glossary for the technically challenged that seeks to comfort, entertain, and enlighten those confused by the technical jargon that has entered the mainstream in the Information Age. The title also has some fun with the technical lexicon for those computer buffs who are knowledgeable about the terminology. You select from more than 170 computer or multimedia terms to view MillerÕs attempt at a definition on the left side of the screen. All answers are given with tongue firmly planted in cheek, as is MillerÕs way. On the right side of the screen the correct definition is provided by an animated computer engineer named Bill Geek. All terms are defined through digital video clips as Miller and the techie engineer engage in purported witty banter. The title is now available for Macintosh and MPC computers. The SRP is $29.95. For the Mac environment, youÕll need an LC machine or greater with at least 4MB of RAM and a CD-ROM drive. For the Windows platform, youÕll need a 386SX PC or higher, Windows 3.1 or higher, SVGA monitor, 4MB of RAM, a sound card and a CD-ROM drive. VR Headset Announced for Home Use The first, high quality, virtual reality headset will debut at this monthÕs Consumer Electronics Show (C.E.S.) from VictorMaxx Technologies (708/267-0007). Called the CyberMaxx, this unit provides an immersive stereoscopic environment within which to play computer games. The headset is compatible with IBM and Macintosh PCs as well as Sega, Nintendo, and Jaguar systems. Now, thatÕs what I call superb diversification! The headset weighs 14 ounces and viewers can see a 360-degree virtual environment with a 62-degree horizontal field of view. Also provided is a high-performance stereo speaker system and real-time tracking technology. This means that when the user moves his or her head, the game environment also moves in full color with 3D stereo sound and visuals. A number of developers have signed agreements with VictorMaxx to produce titles for this environment. They include New World Computing, Domark, Interplay, Origin, Diaspar Virtual Reality Network, ProtoLogic, Synthetic Dimensions, StreetWise Worldwide and Realism Entertainment. Both the CyberMaxx system and the games are the virtual reality games are scheduled for release during August. The SRP will be around $700Ñfar less than the $60,000 required for virtual reality machines found in arcades. Impressions Raptor from Apogee (DOS) Recommendation: Pretty decent title! Apogee, the king of shareware, has a new creation out that is being talked about on various bulletin boards. It is a scrolling, overhead shooter called Raptor. The game, while definitely not original, has enough music, animation, and exciting game play to keep it from being boring. The object is to fly a fighter to liberate several sections of different lands from an evil dictator. At the end of each area is a big enemy machine that needs to be destroyed in order for you to continue. You can take several hits before dying, but once you are dead, evil spreads over the rest of the lands like a plague. The game play, thankfully, is better than the plot. You fly over various types of terrain while threats from the air and ground make certain you seldom make it home in one piece. You are armed with a machine gun, one of the least effective weapons, but you can pick up other weapons from destroyed safe houses Cash is awarded when you blow things up and can be used to purchase better firepower. The weapons available at the right price include missiles that can only take out air or ground targets, plasma weapons that can take out both, and other devices that automatically hone in on the enemy, hopefully destroying them. Two special weapons include a shield that protects you from enemy hits, and a bomb that takes a few seconds to drop, but destroys practically everything on the screen. The graphics and animation are excellent and detailed. Flames shoot up and die out when buildings are destroyed and missiles leave trails of smoke when fired. The sounds and music accompanying each level keep the action intense. Two positive points are that you can purchase items between levels in order to try new weapons and determine their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the ability to save your pilot with current cash and status. At anytime, you can load in your old pilot and go back to the same wave of action in any of the previous three sections. There are three levels of difficulty that will keep any recruit busy. I did find the 15 MB of disk space to be a excessive and the game, for me, became a little tedious after a while. For those, however, that want a switch from first person Doom type games, or want to take out their frustrations from playing SIMs and FRPGs, Raptor is a great diversion with a low admission price.Ñblud Betrayal at Krondorª from Dynamix Recommendation: Buy it!!! Betrayal at Krondor is a great game! This CD-ROM game originates from the creative mind of the well-known science fiction author, Raymond E. Feist (Magician: Apprentice), and is based on FeistÕs Riftwarª novels. The folks at Dynamix have gone beyond creating a game from FeistÕs books. This title is rich with characters that have more complex personalities than some that merely jump, shoot, fight and cast spells. Because this is presented on a CD-ROM, the combined efforts of Dynamix and Feist offer the luxury of creating depth and character appeal, much like the characters in a good book. Betrayal at Krondor is a non-linear game, in which specific goals must be accomplished before the rest of the story can proceed. The manner is which you reach that goal is dependent upon you and your characters. Reappearance of the characters transpires when you are at specific locations in the game/story/book. The environment of Betrayal at Krondor is representative of ÒMiddle EarthÓ with the characters a collection of do-gooders, magicians, fairies, trolls, etc. You may interact with as many or few as you wish. Each character has four ratings: health, strength, stamina and speed. Additionally, each character is permitted a specific set of skills, (stealth, lock picking, swordsmanship). While itÕs not necessary to know your characters rating or skills itÕs recommended should you find yourself in trouble and need a character with a specific set of skills. Actions are mouse controlled, however for those without a mouse, keystrokes are available. Graphics and sounds are superior, which is as it should be for this CD-ROM based game. Perhaps the only drawbacks are with the speed involved, pertaining only to those with limited system configurations resulting in slow access making it frustrating while waiting for screen refresh. Cool Features ¥ The graphics are excellent but could have been better given the fact that the game/story is on a CD-ROM. ¥ Sounds are excellent. ¥ The game is at a competitive level for avid game players. ¥ The story is excellent and the writing skills add richness and dimensions to the characters. Negative Bits ¥ Depending upon your system configuration access time can be slow. ¥ It Ôs easy to become involved in the story and forget about the game. ¥ Sometimes the charactersÕ are too wordy. Betrayal at Krondor is one of the better CD-ROM games to appear. Additional personality dimensions given to the characters makes this title that much richer. Sounds and screens are first rate and the game has a complexity that should keep even the most experienced player entertained for a long time.ÑMark Veljkov System Requirements IBM 386SX or better, CD-ROM drive, MS-DOS 5.0 or higher, 4MB of RAM, hard disk, Windows 3.0 with multimedia extensions or higher, mouse, VGA, Sound Blaster (optional). Arctic Baronª from ReadySoft (DOS) Recommendation: Like adventure games? Buy It! Another Apocalyptic adventure is what awaits you with Arctic Baronª from ReadySoft. Arctic Baron takes place in the 27th Century after an experiment in 2022 leaves the earth an Arctic wasteland. As the principle player, your mission (should you choose to accept it) is to discover the truth about Operation Blind and Operation Sun, two experiments that just might bring the earth back from itÕs prolonged winter. You live, like others in the game, on a train. In order to restore the sun and the earth, you must manage and build up your train by controlling all of the action, speed and direction, in addition to commanding soldiers and others from your quarters. Operating in Òpseudo-real timeÓ, (an oxymoron for sure) a clock is always present, resulting in you becoming conscious of the time used for problem solving and travel. Arctic Baron has an edge to it because the story is unusual Ñ after all, how many times do you control your world while sitting on a train? (Even James West of televisionÕs Wild Wild West fame disembarked once in a while.) The most important aspect of the game is learning the controls of the train. Once accomplished, the rest of the game is played fairly fast. The goal of the game is achieved by amassing your resources, spying and making sure that none of the villains are strong enough to stop you, making the game rate as standard for those who thrive on strategy games. Movements are attained with either the mouse or combination of arrow keys and numeric keypad. Adding to your resources is accomplished by buying, selling and spying. Monetary resources are a denomination called Lignite which can be spent to fuel your train. The quality of the graphics are good, but the sounds (if you have a Sound Blasterª card) are fair to poor. Cool Features ¥ The graphics are good. ¥ The playing icons are logical. ¥ The engine controls work well. ¥ The maps are well done and useful for navigating. Negative Bits ¥ Game logic is simplistic. ¥ The sounds are not well done. ¥ The font used for the text can be hard to read and tiresome after a long game session. ¥ You can get a close-up of a section of the map, but you cannot always navigate to that exact location. Arctic Baron is unique because of the environment in which it is played, that being while on a train. Your perspective is that you are viewing your world through a window. Perhaps this was the intention of the designers, making you feel as though you had broken free from your confines when you finally win the game.ÑMark Veljkov EricÕs Ultimate Solitaire from Delta Tao (Macintosh) Recommendation: Entertaining! Delta Tao, known for their ÒEnvironmentally Friendly Manuals,Ó humor, and inexpensive but highly addictive Macintosh games, have released a collection of Solitaire games that can be played on machines from a Macintosh Plus to a Quadra. There are 17 different diversions from Klondike to BakerÕs Dozen to Yukon. The graphics are wonderful, especially in color, and the sounds are few, but add to the gameplay. Instructions for each game, the ability to redo and undo multiple times, autoplay, and the ability to select games that are always winnable are among the small features of EricÕs Ultimate Solitaire. The game is even capable of keeping track of statistics for multiple players. This game is a wonderful program to have on your Macintosh. It takes up less than a megabyte of disk space, and is great for those times when you have a few minutes to spare. I also applaud the manual which is VERY humorous (I especially liked the ClashÕs lyrics integrated into installation instructions), making for a VERY entertaining experience indeed. Ñblud System Requirements A Macintosh with 2 MB of RAM (runs in both Color and Black and White) Sneak Peek The Summer Consumer Electronics Show brings to light numerous new products in the world of consumer electronics. Naturally, our focus is upon electronic entertainment, from computer and video games to the peripherals that allow us to further enjoy these environments. In that regard, there will be no issue of IGU next week, as we will be attending C.E.S., going absolutely bonkers checking out whatÕs great, whatÕs new, and what shouldÕve remained on the shelf. Rejoin us in a couple of weeks. One item we intend to have a looooong look at is The Virtual Guitar from Ahead, Inc. This is the perfect air guitar, and is part and parcel of a new package from Ahead that allows you to become a rock Õn roll star. As a matter of fact, theyÕve even got a contest running wherein you could even perform with Aerosmith on stage! Learn those riffs, stoke that guitar, and see how well you can do. The software starts you out in a ÒlearningÓ mode and coaches you to further greatness as you perform on your air guitar. Get better and youÕll find yourself performing at local nightclubs, and then to the pro circuit. You know how most of us like to play air guitar . . .this product could definitely be the answer to the stress in our lives, to let us live vicariously as super star rock Õn rollers. Mudgeon On Games Our country has just celebrated the 50th anniversary of D-Day, the landings at Utah, Gold, SwordÑmomentous occasions that changed the course of history. Impressions released their D-DAY: The Beginning of the Endª title (for DOS computers) in plenty of time for this historic event, and they did a fine job of presenting these battles for reconstruction by gamers who enjoy war simulations. The detail is phenomenal, and the documentation includes an easy-to-follow tutorial that will surely bring those who havenÕt played war sims before into this genre. However, Impressions also added something they call Micro-Miniaturesª. I assume this was included to present animation for non-war-simmers, to present them with a feature arcade and adventure games offer. I found this feature detracting from the actual war sim itself. Not only were the individual icons hard to track when in battle, the time involved in setting the armies up for their battles detracted from the immediacy of play. Auto battle was, by far, the better mode to use, and the more standard icon movement into hexes far more familiar to use when playing this sim. I am also certain that those who havenÕt played a war sim might find this feature extremely useful, so test it out for yourself. Other game features include supply and reinforcement capabilities, naval and air bombardment for supporting your land maneuvers, zones of control and adjustable fog of war. IÕd certainly have to state that D-Day: The Beginning of the End is tactically accurate, and you may play scenarios based on the actual, historical battles or try something new and perhaps even shorten the war. As either the Allies or the German army, you can play time after time and try new tactics. I recommend this title for both those experienced with war sims and those who may be ready to give one a shot. Nope, youÕre right. Dabbler from Fractal Design is NOT a game. But you can have more fun with this title than you can with some of the alleged entertainment titles on the market today. In that regard, Dabbler offers anyone who is interested in creating art more entertainment that dozens of games. I can guarantee you that you will not grow tired of this application. There is so much exploration you can accomplishÑof the program and of your [perhaps] hidden talentsÑthat you may find yourself reticent to leave DabblerÕs creative environs. Dabbler offers a fantastic interface for those who enjoy drawing, or who wish they could learn how to draw. With a fantastic how-to tutorial written and illustrated by famous artist Walter Foster illustrated in his own inimitable style, you can learn how to draw far faster than you might have believed possible. From basic figures to more complex illustrations, Walter Foster when combined with Dabbler could have you feeling quite artistic within just minutes. I am fortunate enough to also own a Wacom tablet, so the drawing instruction was as natural as putting pencil to sketch pad. Dabbler offers extremely sophisticated tools that are easy to use, from various pen and pencil drawing tools to textures for paper and pen and pencil strokes themselves. Want a gradient look? ThatÕs here as well. You can create multiple sketch pads of various page sizes, save individual works for export into other graphic programs, and even use special effects, like surface texture, fades, and focus. The color drawer allows you to create your own colors, and with the full color tutorial that explains color theory and how to use color effectively, the Dabbler manual is a fantastic reference book as well. Written well and extremely easy to follow, Dabbler is definitely a fun, learning experience for new artists, and a powerful drawing tool for professional artists as well. You can use tracing paper to copy images or clone various parts of your image for other use. Really cool is the way you can record your artwork creation from scratch for later playback using VCR-like controls. Add sound to your tool use. TrueType font use is also fully supported. I rarely keep more than eight apps at the forefront in my software libraryÑDabbler is now one of them. Thanks, Fractal, for a great program!ÑMudgeon Publisher/Editor Pattie J. Lesser Associate Publisher Tuncer Deniz Senior Editors Mark Veljkov, Steve Schwartz Field Editor blud Editorial Nuisance Mudgeon Inside Games Updateª is published weekly by The Word Warriors, Tracy, California, and IMG Publishing, Glenview, Illinois. Federal law prohibits the unauthorized duplication or distribution of the publicationÕs contents without express, written permission from the owners.