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MicroProse Ga1nes To Revolutionize
Arcade Technology
Micro Prose Software, Inc., already a leading
developer of state-of-the-art, innovative enter-
tainment software for personal computers, will
push the envelope of arcade game technology as
well with its coin-op subsidiary, MicroProse
Games (MPG). The first product from this divi-
sion is due by early fall, 1989.
MPG plans to design and produce coin-operated
game machines so sophisticated that contem-
porary hardware units will be unable to perform
the processing required. Such a lofty goal has
meant the creation of all-new hardware to pro-
vide the horsepower the software will demand.
According to Chuck Grempler, Director of Engi-
neering at MicroProse Games, the result will be
immediately noticeable by even the casual ar-
cade gamer. "The technology we're developing
will bring a whole new environment of realism
and excitement to arcade games," he said.
Grempler is confident that MPG can reach its
objectives. "Toe design team has studied the
mathematics behind the equations and opti-
mized the system hardware to meet our per-
formance goals," Grempler said. "And we're
drawing a lot of our knowledge from the archi-
tecture of state-of-the-art workstations and
personal computers. And when we couldn't find
a circuit to do what we need done, we designed
one."
Grempler is quick to point out. however, that all
of this hardware innovation is useless without a
good game. "One of the major advantages we
have is that the design team at MicroProse -
which I consider among the best in the world -
will have a very strong hand in software develop-
ment. The game will be beautiful to look at, and,
most importantly, it's also going to be fun to~.
play."
The most sophisticated arcade games to date generate up to 12,000 polygons per
second. MicroProse Games plans to produce 60,000 polygons per second.
Much of the advanced technology will be seen in
the form of 3-D graphics, which will draw on
polygons for the multi-dimensional effect. The
use of polygons is not new to the arcade indus-
try. but the number that MPG products will
generate is. The most sophisticated arcade
games to date, according to Grempler, generate
up to 12,000 polygons per second. MicroProse
Games plans to produce 60,000 polygons per
second. In addition, the screen will regenerate
itself at a rate of 30 frames per second, which is
actually faster than the film speed of motion
pictures.
"That's the real trick," Grempler said. "Generat-
ing 60,000 polygons is difficult, but the real
problem is keeping all the objects moving with-
out slowing down the animation. That's why the
custom hardware is being built - to process
enough information to handle 60,000 polygons
without sacrificing animation speed."
As yet untitled, the game, according to Grem-
pler, will most likely be a combat flight simulator
of sorts - a genre for which MicroProse has
become famous in the personal computer in-
dustry. Its IBM-PC/Tandy/compatibles version
of F-19 Stealth Fighter was hailed by industry
critics as a landmark piece of entertainment
software because of its rich, 3-D graphics and
emphasis on authentic representation of com-
bat flying. MPG will draw on the technology
developed for that personal computer game as it
designs its first arcade flight simulator.
MicroProse Games products, however, should
attract even those with no computer knowledge
or experience, Grempler said. "Our machines
will bring a whole new generation of people into~
the arcades. Even skeptics who doubt a ma-
chine's ability to present something realistically
will be amazed. I should know. I'm a skeptic, and
I'm designing the system."