(c) 1995 Copyright Nando.net
(c) 1995 N.Y. Times News Service
(Dec 2, 1995 - 00:14 EST) -- If you still want more courtroom
confrontation now that Judge Ito isn't on daytime television, "In the
First Degree" might fill the void. This double CD-ROM (Macintosh and
IBM compatible) courtroom simulation from Broderbund Software is the
first entertainment release from the company since its popular Myst
program.
The action moves from Myst's deserted island to San Francisco's trendy
South of Market district, where the computer player assumes the role
of Sterling Granger (who is not played by Marsha Clark).
Like Access Software's "Under a Killing Moon," Broderbund's "In the
First Degree" incorporates and improves upon digital video technology.
Actors and actresses have been filmed against a "blue screen," so a
digitized background can be brought into the picture.
In the opening scene a woman appears to be sitting at the counter of a
diner, looking into the camera and telling Sterling Granger, the
player's on-screen alter ego, the circumstances surrounding the death
of a prominent art-gallery owner.
What's impressive is that the diner fills the monitor screen, giving
the feel of watching a television picture instead of looking at a
small three-inch square of video in the center of the screen.
Indeed, television newscasters introduce the player to the program
with shots of the crime scene and interviews. As the game progresses,
players will see these newscasters again as they comment about the
events unfolding in the case.
Just like in a real-life courtroom, getting a conviction isn't easy.
The prosecutor has to interview witnesses, who will sometimes give
conflicting accounts. A witness who is uncooperative during interviews
probably won't be any more helpful to the prosecution's case on the
stand.
All the technical advancements aside, the people who engage in this
game are more likely to feel like game players than attorneys. Most
advances toward a conviction will come not through examination of the
evidence, but through questioning of witnesses.
And it's not how you ask the question, but in what order. Take the
wrong approach -- that is, ask what appears to be an otherwise
innocuous question -- and your witness may not share all he or she
knows about the case. On another course through the game, ask the
questions in a different order, and the witness may be more
forthcoming.
For another $20 for a clue book, players can learn about these
intricacies. "In the First Degree: The Official Strategy Guide" was
written by Rusel DeMaria and published by Prima Publishing. Prima has
about 36 strategy guides for winning game play covering everything
from Doom II to SimTower.
The 170-page booklet has all the evidence and transcripts of witness
interviews. It also provides background on how the game was developed.
Peter Adair, a film maker for more than 25 years, helped develop the
game. In a six-page introduction, Adair explains why the game works
like it does. Surprisingly, he even criticizes some portions of it: "I
think our opening sequences ... are good examples of noninteractive
sequences that don't work all that well. In our defense, we needed
them to set up the story, but I don't expect players to watch them
more than a couple of times. For the next game, we will try to find
another solution for this early exposition." It's refreshing to see
some honesty in an industry that has become saturated with hype.
Al Giannini, an assistant district attorney for San Francisco, acted
as legal consultant during the writing and filming of the game.
Lonnie Brown is associate editor for The Ledger in Lakeland, Fla. His
reviews and articles have appeared in several national computer
magazines. Messages can be left on the Prodigy information service
(WRCF87A) or America OnLine (LonnieB001). His column is distributed by
The N.Y. Times News Service.