Video games transcend child's play as the industry broadens its appeal

Article Abstract:

The video game industry is introducing computer and video games designed to engage the interests of more mainstream audiences at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles. Though the average age of game players is 28, 13% of gamers are over 50, which is why the industry is marketing nonviolent titles as well as the more commonly known "shoot 'em up, bang-bang" types of computer games. The industry hopes the upcoming introduction of Sony's PlayStation 2 will permit game creators to design more sophisticated, emotionally involved games, such as the soon-to-be released crossover game 'Back and White.' It is believed that the next generation of interactive games will wean people away from TV and movies and "drive television into a niche."

Exhibitions, 2000 AD, Video game industry, Video games industry, Electronic Entertainment Expo

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Tired of chasing demons in mazes? Try these new games

Article Abstract:

More than 40 new real-time strategy computer games are available for Christmas 1997, and Microsoft has emerged as an unlikely winner with the $54.95 Age of Empires and $54.95 Close Combat: A Bridge Too Far. Age of Empires requires users to advance an ancient civilization patterned after numerous world cultures. An interesting feature includes protecting a Wonder of the Ancient World from invaders for 2,000 years. Close Combat 2 is based on the World War II battle, with German soldiers combatting US and British troops in the Netherlands. Players organize soldiers, tanks and support troops to capture a key bridge or building. Soldiers must contend with ambushes, and they hold the right to refuse orders. New real-time strategy computer games provide a different perspective from first-person 'shooter' programs. Previous armchair general games were slower, and they required players to read a thick manual in advance. By comparison, the real-time strategy games offer improved graphics and faster action.

Product/Service Evaluation, Column, MSFT, Wargame, Computer war games, Microsoft Age of Empires (Strategy game), Microsoft Close Combat: A Bridge Too Far (Wargame)

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Three new games let you build civilizations, but this time play nice

Article Abstract:

Three new strategy games are coming on the market. These games can be played alone or against others; multiple users can play over the Internet. Electronic Arts' Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri is set on a world called Planet, in which seven rival factions from Earth set out to colonize the world. Activision Inc.'s Civilization: Call to Power provides scenarios from Stone Age to A.D. 3000. The object is to develop a civilization that is larger and more powerful that neighboring societies. In Microsoft Corp.'s Age of Empires II: the Age of Kings, players don't take turns, but make their moves in real-time. It provides 13 settings from the Middle Ages that players attempt to build up. These games run best on Pentium II or better machines.

Electronic Arts Inc., ERTS, Activision Inc., ATVI

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