Empire Interactive Redefines the Boundaries of Golf Simulation With The Golf Pro Featuring Gary Player
Intuitive Mouse Drive(TM) Swing System and High-Speed Precision Animation Mark Major Advancements in Golf Simulation Genre
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Empire Interactive(R), a worldwide publisher and developer of innovative interactive entertainment, today announced that it has teamed up with legendary golfer Gary Player for The Golf Pro, the first in a series of realistic golf simulation games designed to appeal to both the games player and the golfer. Taking advantage of a radical new swing control system, The Golf Pro treats avid and armchair golfers to exciting rounds at two of the world's most challenging and picturesque courses, while providing valuable tips and tutorials from Gary Player, one of the world's top ranked golfers and winner of nine major championships. The Golf Pro will release on a four CD-ROM set beginning in April 1998.
As host of The Golf Pro, Player leads a series of 18 interactive lessons covering everything from game fundamentals to techniques for improving specialized shots -- such as how to hit the perfect chip or time a killer drive. For users wanting more personal attention, Player is also featured in the game's Play with the Pro(TM) option, where he assesses all aspects of a user's game as each shot is taken and provides valuable tips and techniques for successful shot-making.
The first in a planned series of golf simulation games from Empire Interactive, The Golf Pro represents a major development in the way golf is played on the home computer. Traditionally, golf simulations have used an effective -- but unrealistic -- button-clicking method to control the golf swing. Empire's new Mouse Drive(TM) system closes the gap between computer golf and the real game by allowing a single, seamless swing that mimics a real golf shot. A wide range of shots can be accomplished with the highly-intuitive Mouse Drive system -- a low drive into the wind, a long pitch into a fast green, or an explosion shot from deep pot-bunker 20 yards from the pin -- all can be achieved with the flick of a wrist.
''There's only so much you can do with the traditional click-click-click system,'' said David Pringle, project manager of The Golf Pro for Empire Interactive. ''With the Mouse Drive system, you're using a lateral mouse movement to draw the club back and forth, so you have a wider range of shots for a more accurate portrayal of a true golf swing. After using our Mouse Drive system, few players will wish to return to the traditional method.''
The Golf Pro features 21,000 frames of high-speed animation and more than 90 swing variations, generating the most realistic golf simulation to enter the popular genre. Unlike competing products, graphics are fast loading and render a consistent visual flow of the on-screen action. When a player takes a shot, the graphics move in time with the mouse-controlled swing, eliminating a delay in action. Additionally, with each shot the player's stance is accurately positioned on the screen, significantly improving on the standard center-screen viewpoint.
The heart of any golf simulation is the courses that you're able to play. The Golf Pro will launch with two major course licenses, including St. Mellion International, one of the world's most beautiful courses set in the English countryside to the design of Jack Nicklaus, and Hilton Head National, Gary Player's personal masterpiece and one of the premiere golf resorts in the US. Together, the courses comprise 36 challenging holes of golf. Based on detailed ground surveys, each course is pre-rendered with painstaking accuracy to deliver the most accurate and attractive computer visualization of a golf course yet achieved.
Three different types of gameplay are featured in The Golf Pro, including MatchPlay and StrokePlay competitions, and Stableford matches against top professionals as they play actual rounds on the game's featured courses. A genuine handicap system allows players to progress through different levels of play -- beginner, amateur and professional -- and accurately charts a user's success. As a player's handicap improves new competitions become available. Additional features of The Golf Pro include a 5,000 word 'TV-style' commentary that follows the action and gives detailed analysis as each shot is taken.
Empire Interactive plans to release additional add-on courses and an Internet play enhancement allowing multiplayer head-to-head and tournament play via LAN, modem and ISP connections. With the full Internet gameplay system, players will be able to link up for a host of interactive tournament modes, also planned for release within the current year.
System Requirements
Pentium 133 MHz with Windows 95
16MB RAM
5MB Free Hard Disc Space
4X CD-ROM
Standard Mouse
About Empire(R) Interactive
Empire Interactive is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of interactive entertainment products for PC and console systems. With headquarters in London, England, and corporate offices in San Francisco, California and Munich, Germany, Empire Interactive enters its 11th year of business as a leading independent game publisher. Empire's award-winning product lines include Flying Corps Gold, a multiplayer flight simulator game, and Pro Pinball: Timeshock!, a remarkably realistic pinball simulation. Empire Interactive's products are distributed on an exclusive basis in North America by GT Interactive Software Corp [Nasdaq:GTIS - news].
Additional information on Empire Interactive and its products can be obtained on the World Wide Web at empire-us.com, or by calling 415-439-4854.
SOURCE: Empire Interactive |
