|
Embarrassment of Riches (2/1/99)
|
 
|
| | |
Isn't it nice how Apple's finally doing so much to encourage games development for the Mac platform? Not that we personally have ever suffered from a dearth of entertainment software; in fact, we've got games we still haven't even taken the shrinkwrap off yet. Still, the more variety the better, seeing as it's the spice of life and all. Personally, we at AtAT are TV junkies (gee, what gave us away?), and so when the force of TV combines with the power of computer gaming we get something really special. No, we're not talking about game console systems, though we're as excited about Virtual Game Station as everyone else. We're talking about games inspired by or based on our favorite TV shows. Case in point: The X-Files Game by Fox Interactive, which is everything we could want in an adventure game and more. Participate in the investigation of an actual X-File along with Mulder and Scully? Uh, yeah, sign us up...
That's why we're so excited to read at the Mac Observer that Fox Interactive is planning a new title for release next month, and it's called "Fox Arcade: Sci-Fi Pinball." Sure, it's a lame and corny title, and pinball simulations often leave a lot to be desired, but pretty much no matter how iffy the game itself turns out to be, we're definitely going to buy it anyway. See, the game actually includes four pinball tables, each based on a different Fox TV or movie title. There's one for "The Fly," one for "Predator," one for "Aliens," and-- here's the kicker-- one for "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." A Buffy game? You know we're there. Especially since the game includes video clips and sound bites from the aforementioned movies and shows. It's a darn good thing that this game is coming out for the Mac, because otherwise our platform loyalty would be sorely tested. If there were ever a struggle at AtAT between the irresistible force of Buffy and the immovable object of the Mac platform, our heads would likely explode. But right now that doesn't have to happen.
Incidentally, if you're a big fan of "real" pinball games but computer simulations leave you unimpressed, you should definitely check out Pro Pinball: Timeshock! by Empire Interactive. It's so realistic, it's the first pinball simulation that really impresses us as pinball fans and not just as computer games fans. Now if you'll excuse us, we've got a case to solve...
| |
| |
 |
SceneLink (1311)
|  |
 |
|
And Now For A Word From Our Sponsors |
| | | |
|
| |
|
 | | The above scene was taken from the 2/1/99 episode: February 1, 1999: There's trouble a-brewing in Cork, as Apple prepares to lay off some five hundred factory workers. Meanwhile, the soon-to-be-introduced consumer portable will come in fruit flavors just like the iMac, and Fox Interactive gives us one more reason never to leave the house...
Other scenes from that episode: 1309: Tough Times in Cork (2/1/99) Looks like the luck of the Irish is about to run out-- at least, if you happen to be a factory worker assembling iMacs in Apple's plant in Cork. Rumors have been flying for days that Apple plans to cut something like five or six hundred jobs there, due to production plan changes that could drastically alter the plant's personnel needs... 1310: Portable Color Therapy (2/1/99) Here's an interesting fun fact we've noticed in the past few months: it's tough to be sad when there's an iMac in the room. Really, there's something about the overall physical design that just exudes happy rays, or something...
Or view the entire episode as originally broadcast... | |  |
|
|
