Virtual airplanes that seem real
Article Abstract:
Microsoft's $59.95 Flight Simulator 98 simulation game distinguishes itself by the simulation in flight and performing the necessary requirements to take off, navigate and land safely. The latest CD-ROM version features more than 3,000 international airports and seven airplanes that include a Learjet, airliner and helicopter. Other offerings include numerous radio navigation aids and various terrains such as rivers, lakes and mountains. Flight Simulator falls short in its attempts to recreate large urban areas, as well as some European and US major highways. Users can choose from the large number of settings to customize computers ranging from a Pentium 120 with the 2D video card to a Pentium 333 with the 3D video card. Another drawback consists of scenery that tends to pixelate, or twinkle, while the computer continues to redraw the polygons that form its virtual world.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1998
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Road races are a challenge but graphics don't keep up
Article Abstract:
Microsoft's $54.95 CART (Championship Auto Racing Teams series) Precision Racing sports/gambling game displays Indy car high-speed ovals and winding road-racing courses. Users can choose a red stripe or ghost highway cones to mark the proper path through each turn. Sound quality is good, and users can mute annoying music that plays while users are driving any car from the 1997 CART season. Bobby Rahal narrates excellent tutorials that explains proper turns, braking and steering. Each of the disk's 17 courses is detailed in the manual, which also recommends the proper gear for making turns. Fluttery graphics and a slightly twitchy touch contribute to a significant graphics drawback, with trackside scenery barely keeping ahead of the car. Key absences from CART Precision Racing include the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and driver Michael Andretti.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1998
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Honing all that strategic thinking: teasing brains, not trigger fingers
Article Abstract:
Microsoft has added the $35 Entertainment Pack: The Puzzle Collection to its list of computer software games. The pack is designed to be used on 486/66 processor running the Windows 95 operating system and contains nine strategic thinking games. The games can be easily learned but are a challenge to win. Fringer, one of the puzzles, requires users to untangle knots in ropes. Lineup is similar to Tetris in that users must place geometric parts in a way that more can be added to a grid. Spring Weekend is a garden-themed puzzle whose outcome is based wholly on the users wits rather than on luck. The games all have various levels which players can move through as they improve.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1997
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