Microsoft Gets Serious About Fun in Windows "Chicago"
Announces New Software, Support for Developers of Games for Windows

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 26, 1994--Microsoft Corporation
announced its intention to make the Microsoft Windows operating system a
great environment for computer games. At the Computer Game Developers
Conference in Santa Clara this weekend, Microsoft announced it will deliver
a new software library and other tools to make it easier for developers to
create 32-bit games with fast graphics for existing and future versions of
Windows. A developer's handbook entitled "Writing HOT Games for Microsoft
Windows," the WinG software library, and information about a CompuServe
forum for developers were described at the conference.

"Microsoft is committed to delivering top-notch multimedia functionality in
Windows," said Brad Chase, general manager of the personal operating systems
division at Microsoft, "and games are one of the largest, most important
categories of multimedia applications. Because of the installed base of more
than 40 million Windows-based machines, the forthcoming 32-bit capabilities
of Microsoft Windows `Chicago,' and the games tools we announced this
weekend, we believe the Windows family of operating systems offers great
opportunities for games developers to grow their businesses."

The most welcome news Microsoft delivered to games developers is about the
tools for better graphics support for existing Windows systems. Fast
graphics are critical to dexterity-based computer games, and the WinG
library makes graphics speed and responsiveness dramatically better than was
previously possible with Windows and comparable to the MS-DOS operating
system. To demonstrate WinG's graphics performance, Microsoft and Id
Software, maker of the popular MS-DOS-based game Doom, showed a prototype
Windows-based version of Doom at the conference.

According to Jay Wilbur, business manager of Id Software, the process of
moving to Windows was easy. "John Carmack, the chief architect of Doom, and
others ported the core Doom game to Windows in about two days, and boy, did
it look good!" Wilbur said. "We plan to have a full version for Windows
ready for Christmas."

"The Windows-based PC is destined to become the primary information and
entertainment device in the home," said Ron Whittier, senior vice president
at Intel Corporation. "The WinG library will help make Windows the premier
platform for games."

New Capabilities for Games Coming in Windows "Chicago"

In addition to improved graphics speed, Windows offers compelling advantages
to game developers today, such as device independence and extended memory
management services. Microsoft Windows "Chicago," the next major release of
Microsoft Windows, will offer game developers even more capabilities because
of its 32-bit architecture.

According to Microsoft's Chase, the new WinG lets developers get started
today on great, fast games for Windows "Chicago," while also taking
advantage of the installed base of Windows and Windows for Workgroups 3.11
this year. He added that Microsoft expects some developers to be interested
in going directly to Windows "Chicago" because it will enable them to create
entirely new types of games. "For example, the extra performance of the
32-bit architecture of Windows `Chicago,' as well as multithreading,
networking and built-in support for high-performance digital video, could
add up to some dazzling multiplayer games," said Chase.

"WinG performance, plus new features in Windows `Chicago,' make Windows a
great computer-game environment," said David Stafford, president of
Cinematronics.

Developer Support Scheduled in May

Microsoft plans to deliver three tools to get developers started creating
games for Windows:

A CompuServe forum for game developers to exchange ideas and ask questions.
Copies of the "Writing HOT Games for Microsoft Windows" handbook, described
below, can be downloaded from the forum today. To access the forum, type GO
WINMM.

The WinG library, which provides a portion of the fast graphics support of
Windows "Chicago" under Windows 3.1. Game developers who use these libraries
and the Win32 API set will be able to create fast 32-bit, 256- color games
that are compatible with both current and future releases of Windows. A beta
release of the library is scheduled to be available on CompuServe by the end
of May.

"Writing HOT Games for Microsoft Windows," a handbook that includes
technical information and advice for game developers.

"WinG and the forum are just the first step," said Chase. "We are looking
forward to a continuous dialogue with game developers that will help us make
Windows the platform developers want for great computer games."

More information about Microsoft's game efforts can be obtained by logging
onto the CompuServe forum or sending e-mail to mmdinfo@Microsoft.com.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in 
software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products
and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission 
of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the
full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft, MS-DOS and Win32 are registered trademarks and Windows is a
trademark of Microsoft Corporation. CompuServe is a registered trademark of
CompuServe, Inc.
