Editorial: A Finger on the Pulse

Why do you suppose we publish this newsletter?

After all, most software publishers--many of them considerably larger than
ACCESS--seem to be doing quite nicely without them. We at ACCESS are in
the entertainment software business, after all, not newsletter publishing.
Why bother?

The answer is simple: enlightened self-interest. We believe that
maintaining close contact with the people who have purchased our
product(s) in the past will better enable us to produce entertainments
which will please them in the future. Moreover, we learn from you. An
incredibly high percentage of the changes integrated into LINKS 386 Pro
came from our loyal LINKS user base. The hours you all spent playing the
game resulted in unique insights which, in many cases, became a clearcut
consensus.

In return for your help, we at ACCESS have a commitment to produce the best
possible new products while continuing to support existing software. We
are now, in fact, in the process of converting over to Kodak's Photo CD
system in order to generate any photographs which appear on our software
packages.

The beauty of this newsletter is the beauty of computer gaming: both are
interactive. This newsletter provides you with the latest information on
the ACCESS product line and you, in return, provide us with your
invaluable insights. So don't be shy; write to us. Tell us what you think
about our LINKS line or our Interactive Cinema software. -- We're counting
on it.

LINKS Three-Peats SPA Award!

In early March, LINKS 386 Pro was awarded the prestigious SPA Excellence in
Software Best Sports Program award. The LINKS family has now carried the
category for three straight years. The original LINKS copped the Software
Publishers of America's sports game prize two years ago and the LINKS
Championship Courses took last year's top honors.

This year, with LINKS 386 Pro going gold, ACCESS Software has completed one
of the greatest coups in software publishing history! (A SPA award in the
software industry is equal to an Academy award in the film industry. It
doesn't get any higher!)

Meanwhile, as reported elsewhere in this issue of our re-christened
newsletter, there's lots of other exciting news here at Access: LINKS is
about to enter the multi-media universe; we're starting a Hole-in-One Club
for our readers; there are several exciting new LINKS Championship Course
Disks moving down the pipeline; and both 386 Pro and Microsoft Golf look
like they're going to be very successful products. We're excited about the
coming year, and we have several major surprises coming in the area of
Course Disks that we hope to be able to spring on you by next Christmas.

Ahh! Canada!

In March the first Canadian course was introduced into the LINKS library:
Banff Springs of Alberta, Canada, a spectacular course in the middle of
the Canadian Rockies.

A new, Super-VGA version of our Pinehurst Resort & Country Club Course game
is now available to LINKers. This version offers the greatest improvement
for owners of LINKS 386 Pro, with only slight benefits for owners of the
original LINKS or Microsoft Golf.

Early June is the intended release period for The Belfry of Warwickshire,
England, site of the 1993 Ryder Cup. Innisbrook of Tarpon Springs, FL is
slated for release later this summer.

MultiMedia Clubhouse
LINKS Coming to VIS CD System

LINKS makes its multimedia debut with a new version designed for play on
Tandy's CD-ROM based VIS player. The VIS is one of several "black box"
systems which have either already been released or are due to appear
within the next few months.

Unlike computers, black box systems don't have a keyboard. Instead, there
is a single input device--a mouse, control pad or joystick of some
type--which allows the user to interact with on-screen menus. These
CD-driven systems include Philip's CD-I, Commodore's CDTV and the
forthcoming 3DO technology.

The VIS, of course, has the benefit of Radio Shack's marketing muscle
behind it, which could give it a major edge in the black box sweepstakes.

The idea behind black box systems is that they are aimed at the mass
market, at consumers who are intimidated by the complexity of computers
but who nonetheless wish to benefit from it. The black box transforms
computer technology into an appliance which can be used with the
simplicity of a record player or audio cassette tape recorder; the user
inserts the CD into the player and the system does the rest. There are no
special commands to memorize, no sound boards to install--in short, none
of the things which have, so far, stood between computers and the vast
majority of potential consumers.

The VIS, and the other black box systems, may well represent the next stage
in the development of electronic entertainment and information in the
home. One thing is certain: owners of VIS players will now be able to
shoot a great game of simulated golf, courtesy of LINKS.

LINKS Book Now Available

Compute Books has published Pro Links: The Official Guide to Links and
Microsoft Golf by Peter Scisco. The book includes in-depth strategies and
professional advice players need to cut strokes from their scores. It can
be ordered directly from Compute Books c/o CCC, 2500 McClellan Ave.,
Pennsauken, NJ 08109 for $16.95 plus shipping and handling ($2 per book,
U.S.; $4 per book Canadian; and $6 per book outside North America) and
sales tax (NY, NJ and NC add appropriate sales tax; Canadian orders add 7%
GST). All payments must be made in U.S. funds.

Interactive Cinema
AMAZON: Behind the Scenes

When ACCESS dubbed its line of non-sports software "Interactive Cinema," we
weren't kidding. In the course of producing AMAZON, Guardians of Eden, for
example, such cinematic techniques as miniature model-making, set design,
casting and cinematography were all extensively employed.

As with a movie, the creative process began with a script. Unlike a film,
however, the script was actually based on a game design with plenty of
non-linear branching sequences. Unlike a film, which has a fixed
beginning, middle and end, a game requires that numerous versions of each
scene must be shot, depending upon how the player handles each decision
point. That's what makes this form of the cinema interactive; it's like
being in a movie that has any number of variable paths and plot
resolutions.

Auditions were held and the final cast was comprised almost exclusively of
professional and semi-professional actors, with a few ACCESS ringers cast
in cameo roles.

All the action was shot on videotape, which was then taken to our
state-of-the-art, in-house digitizing facility and to a top notch
recording studio for audio digitization. Additional footage was also shot
which will be seen exclusively on the CD-ROM version of AMAZON, which
should be available soon.

A year in the making, AMAZON sets new standards for realistic, movie-like
adventure games.

Pass the Popcorn:
The Appeal of Interactive Cinema

We're a culture that has grown up with movies. The way we dress, talk and
behave in general is a process which has been shaped by the films we
watch. What, then, could be more appealing than the prospect of actually
starring in a simulated, interactive movie?

That's what ACCESS' Interactive Cinema software is all about: placing the
user in a typical movie setting, complete with a sound track, special
effects and other characters with which to share the simulated danger and
excitement. How often have you sat in a movie theater and mentally scolded
the hero for taking a direction that seems utterly foolish? In the
Interactive Cinema, that can't happen, since the user makes those choices
for the hero.

ACCESS was involved in Interactive Cinema even before LINKS became the
dominant computer golf simulation. We spent more than six man years
developing the first Tex Murphy adventure, Mean Streets, a sci-fi
detective story set in the San Francisco of 2033. In this initial entry,
Tex interacted with almost 30 different characters, some of whom actually
spoke, courtesy of our RealSound technology. The player, meanwhile, as
Tex, explored major cities along the west coast in his faithful Lotus
speeder, a land-and-air vehicle as hot as any contemporary flight
simulator.

LINKS fans who haven't yet checked out the Interactive Cinema series have a
delightful surprise awaiting them, since these games are designed to
appeal to the same demographic group that adores our various golfing
products. Besides, who wouldn't want to be the star of an action-packed
movie thriller?

So pass the popcorn, and leap into the screen--considering all the time we
spend watching movies, isn't it about time we played one?

ACCESS to Our Readers

I purchased [the original] LINKS in the summer of 1991 and bought all the
Championship Courses because LINKS is the best game I have ever seen.

Last week I saw LINKS 386 Pro and I knew: that's the one I have to own. Now
I do nothing but play LINKS 386 Pro! I converted my old Championship
Courses and they are better than before, but I am very interested in
updates and upgrades, because there is a difference between the converted
Championship Courses and the new one, Harbour Town. -- Tobias
Grevenbroich; Dusseldorf, Germany

As mentioned on page one, Tobias, there are several upgraded LINKS
Champion-ship Courses on the way. Stay tuned for the latest information on
these improved courses. -Ed

I have been an avid golfer for over 30 years. At present, I have an 8
handicap and, odd as it may seem, that is about the result I get on
[Microsoft Golf] with a few exceptions. I am still striving for that
par-busting score of 68-69. I have played many different computer and
video golf games, but there is no comparison to the LINKS games. This is
the closest thing to real golf I have seen. -- Walter H. Hopwood
Baltimore, MD

Blessings on the programmer who made it simple for this 286 user to load
the new Mauna Kea course. This is the simplest of all the [courses] I have
bought from you. Maybe one day I will be able to move up to a 386 or 486,
but meanwhile thank you sincerely for keeping another addition alive for
my "old" computer. -- Roger N. Burgess Bay Village, OH

And thank you for writing, Roger! By the way, LlNKers, those of you who
have "access" to GEnie, the on-line computer service, will want to check
out the Sports Roundtable area. The first National LINKS Tournament has
already been played and action seems to be heating up. And speaking of
tournament play, we'll catch up with users looking for local opponents
next issue. -Ed.

In this day and age when computer games deal mostly with dungeons and
dragons (which I don't mind playing), and contain lots of magic,
spellcasting, witchcraft, demonology, etc. (this I take a strong exception
to), your games come as a refreshing breeze. The plots are different and
the stories are very entertaining.

I'm getting tired of playing with magic; I want to play something
different, which is why I continue to purchase your games. The only sad
part is that you seem to be releasing only about one game a year. For a
hard core gamer like myself, this is a long time. Any good news about
this? How about a game that deals with knights, paladins and monsters, but
leaves out the witchcraft and demonology (in VGA, using your digitized
technology, this could be breathtaking)?

Keep up the excellent work! I believe there is a clamor out there that
cries: "WE WANT MORE ACCESS !" I am one of this crowd. -- Larry Urban;
Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela

We'd love to turn out more games, Larry, but unfortunately it takes about a
year of development to produce all the components necessary to fashion one
of our Interactive Cinema titles. Now that CD-ROM has entered the picture,
we have to shoot even more footage on each game!--Ed.

[AMAZON was] very well done. At times, I felt I was part of the game, I
felt the danger. More games like this are needed! I would like to know
when the CD version will arrive. -- Frank George; Colony, TX

As you'll read elsewhere in this issue, Frank, the MPC version should be
available in the near future.--Ed.

AMAZON is the most incredible game I've ever played. You guys did an
excellent job on it. The animated sequences were superb. Keep up the good
work. By the way, when is AMAZON 2 coming? -- Curt Hackler; Coffeyville,
KS

AMAZON 2!? No word on that yet, but stay tuned to this newsletter and
you'll be among the first to know about it, if and when.--Ed.

Technical Tips

** Access now has available the VESA drivers for Compaq computers,
especially for the Q-Vision video card and the Prolinea series.

** When the TellMe file is printed in LINKS 386 Pro, the end of the
statement refers to RUN386.Exe and lists an error message. Don't be
alarmed; there's nothing wrong with your disk, the DOS Extender inserts it
automatically. Don't worry; be happy.

** When setting a VESA program to install the driver, the text may make
reference to a picture from AMAZON. Instead, however, you will get a blue,
Super-VGA test screen. Again, don't worry, your program is fine.

** If, during the installation of either LINKS 386 Pro or AMAZON, you get a
Checksum error at the end of the fourth disk, before calling the ACCESS
Technical Support Line, try the alternate manual installation method
described on page eight of the LINKS manual and page nine of the AMAZON
instructions.

The Hole-In-One Club

Ever shoot a hole-in-one on a LINKS course, then suffer frustration because
there was no way to really crow about your feat?

Well, fellow duffers, your time of sadness has come to an end with the
announcement of the LINKS Hole-In-One Club ! The next time you make the
ultimate golf shot, drop us a line containing the following information:

* The version of LINKS being used (LINKS, LINKS 386 Pro, or Microsoft
Golf)
* The course you were playing
* The hole you hit it on,
* The club you used.
* and your picture would be nice, too. Your accomplishment will
  then be duly noted in the next issue of this newsletter and you
  will be entered in the prestigious Hole-in-One Club.

Direct all entries to: The Hole-in-One Club TotalACCESS Newsletter c/o
ACCESS Software 4910 W Amelia Earhart Dr. Salt Lake City, UT 84116

Newsnotes on the Interactive Cinema Series

The release of the MPC (CD-ROM) version of AMAZON, Guardians of Eden has
sparked consider able excitement here at ACCESS. While the original,
floppy disk version of the game held an impressive eight megabytes of
data, the CD-ROM conversion boasts an incredible 125 to 150 megabytes! The
MPC version also features larger animations and, of course, much more
speech.

Speaking of CD-ROM, a VIS-compatible version of AMAZON is slated for
release in February. See the feature on VIS technology for more
information.

** Our Interactive Cinema division was proud of being named a finalist for
the SPA Awards Interactive Cinema Game of the Year award for AMAZON
Martian Memorandum picked up a prize at last year's ceremonies and we had
high hopes for this year's nominee.

** Later this year, adventure game fans can look forward to the third game
featuring the adventures of electronic action superstar Tex Murphy--

Under a Killing Moon. 

Scheduled for a fourth quarter release, Under a Killing Moon will reverse
the standard process and appear initially in MPC (CD-ROM) format, with a
floppy disk version to follow soon thereafter.

At Last!

The first affordable home or office golf simulator system which allows you
to realistically play a full 18 holes of golf indoors using a modified
version of LINKS-The Challenge of Golf and LINKS Championship Courses on
your own PC! LINKS Fans Rejoice! The TruGolf software (a specially
modified version of LINKS) is designed to receive its game play data from
our swing analyzer mat connected to your IBM-PC or compatible computer.
Each swing is computer analyzed for speed, club face angle, club path, and
impact position. TruGolf uses this information to create an accurate
flight of the ball on your computer screen so you can see where it lands
on the LINKS course.

Easy to Use TruGolf sets up in just minutes, works with all your favorite
LINKS Championship Courses and brings the enjoyment of outdoor golf
indoors for fun, practice and teaching day or night!

Here's what you get:
* TruGolf Swing Analyzer Mat
* TruGolf Software designed for use with our swing analyzer mat.
* 2 FREE LINKS Championship Courses (over a $50 value!)
* FREE QuikNet for a limited time-a $79.95 value.
* Unlimited Technical Support
* 30-day Money Back Guarantee!

Computer and Setup Requirements: IBM PC or compatible 286CPU or better
(with 640K RAM), hard drive (minimum 2MB free), VGA 256 color graphics,
and an available serial port. TruGolf Sport System requires adequate room
indoors to swing a golf club (minimum 9 foot ceiling clearance
recommended).

TruGolf, A Division of ACCESS Software, Inc. 
4910 West Amelia Earhart Dr, SLC, UT 84116 
(801)359-2900;   Orders 1-800-4880

==========================================================
From the America Online -- New Product Information Service
==========================================================
This information was processed from data provided by the
above mentioned company. For additional details, contact 
the company at the address or telephone number indicated.
==========================================================
All submissions for this service should be addressed to:
BAKER ENTERPRISES, 20 Ferro Dr, Sewell, NJ 08080 U.S.A.
Email:  RBakerPC  (AOL),   rbakerpc@aol.com  (Internet)
==========================================================
