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Links (series)

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Links is the name of a series of golf simulation computer games, first developed by Access Software, and then later by Microsoft Game Studios after Microsoft acquired Access Software. The line of golf games was a flagship brand for Access, and the series spanned several years: from 1990 to 2003. Several versions of the game and expansion packs (containing new courses[1] and golfers[2] mainly) were created for the Mac and PC over the years. A version for the Xbox named Links 2004 was released in November 2003. In 1991, Links won Computer Gaming World's 1991 Action Game of the Year award.[3]

In 2004, Microsoft sold the Salt Lake City studio to Take-Two Interactive, where it was renamed Indie Built. Indie Built was subsequently shut down in 2006. It is therefore unlikely that Take-Two will produce any additional versions of Links.

Many members of the development team now work for TruGolf, a golf simulator company based out of Centerville, Utah.[4]

Access Software

Microsoft Game Studios

  • Golf (1994) Windows 3.1
  • Golf 2.0 (1995) Windows 3.1/95
  • Golf 3.0 (1996) Windows 95
  • Golf 1998 Edition (1998) Windows 95
  • Golf 1999 Edition (1999) Windows 95
  • Golf 2001 Edition (2000)
  • Links Extreme (1999) Windows[6]
  • Links LS 2000 (2000) Windows
  • Links LS 2000 10 Course Pack (2000) Windows
  • Links Championship Edition (2001) Windows (Includes Links 2001, Links Expansion Pack 1, a Course Designer, a Course Converter and 4 new courses) [7]
  • Links 2001 (2001) Windows Microsoft Game Studios
  • Links Expansion Pack (2001) Windows
  • Links 2003 (2002) Windows Microsoft Game Studios[8]
  • Links 2003: Championship Courses (2002) Windows
  • Links 2004 (2003) Xbox [9]
  • Links 2003: Championship Edition (2003) Windows (Includes Links 2003 and Links 2003: Championship Courses)[10]
  • Links Golf Courses Library (several versions)[11]

Note: Microsoft Golf 1.0-3.0 are just Access' Links 386 redesigned to run natively under Microsoft Windows. Golf 1998 Edition and 1999 Editions were produced by Friendly Software.[12] After Access Software was acquired by Microsoft in 1999, Microsoft produced Golf 2001, which was based on Links, and then discontinued the Golf series to continue with the Links series.

Reception

Computer Gaming World in 1992 stated "the final word in golf—for now, at least—is Links 386 Pro, praising the game's "stunning" Super VGA graphics and "dream come true" gameplay. The magazine predicted that "it is quite likely that the only thing to ever beat this game will be yet another version of Links.[13] In 1993 the game received a Codie award from the Software Publishing Association for Best Sports Game,[14] and Computer Gaming World named it the Overall Game of the Year, stating that doing so was "pretty obvious" given how long Links had been at the top of the magazine's Top 100 Games list.[15]

References

  1. ^ Devil's island course expansion on GameSpot
  2. ^ Davis Love III golfer expansion from TheComputerShow.com
  3. ^ Staff (November 1991). "Computer Gaming World's 1991 Games of the Year Awards". Computer Gaming World (88). Golden Empire Publications, Inc: 38–40, 58.
  4. ^ TruGolf
  5. ^ Links: The Challenge of Golf at MobyGames
  6. ^ Links Extreme comment at Games.net
  7. ^ Microsoft LPGA Press Release
  8. ^ Links 2003 comment at GameNationTV.com
  9. ^ Links 2004 review at ArmChairEmpire.com
  10. ^ Links 2003 Championship Edition Press Release
  11. ^ Links Golf Courses Library at LangKong.com Archived July 13, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ http://www.friendlysoftware.com/Products.htm
  13. ^ McDonald, T. Liam (November 1992). "Links 386 Pro from Access". Computer Gaming World. p. 72. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  14. ^ "Awards - Thy Name Is Controversy". Computer Gaming World. May 1993. p. 146. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  15. ^ "Computer Gaming World's Game of the Year Awards". Computer Gaming World. October 1993. pp. 70–74. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
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