Links (series)

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 was continued 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 shut down in 2006.

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 1996 ranked the 1990 version of Links fifth on the magazine's list of the most innovative computer games, stating that the game "may have inspired more 'business machine upgrades' than any other game".[13] In 1996 Next Generation ranked it 69th on their "Top 100 Games of All Time", contending that "many prefer EA's PGA series, but Links takes the title by a hair's breadth. With real life courses, and enough stats, sliders, and options to choke a horse, Links re-creates everything but the swing (which is still accomplished with a 'three click' power bar)."[14]

During 1999, Links 2001 sold 104,225 copies and earned $4.6 million in the United States,[15] after its release in October 2000. Its totals in the country rose to 240,000 copies and $8.2 million by August 2006, which made it the 84th-best-selling computer game released between January 2000 and August 2006 in the region. Combined sales of all Links games released in the 2000s reached 720,000 copies in the United States by August 2006.[16]

In the United States, Links Championship Edition sold over 100,000 copies by August 2006.[16]

Links LS 2003 was a nominee for PC Gamer US's "2002 Best Sports Game" award, which ultimately went to Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003. The magazine's Dan Morris called LS 2003 "a terrific game".[17]

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. Golden Empire Publications, Inc (88): 38&ndash, 40, 58.
  4. ↑ "Golf Simulators - Indoor Virtual Golf & Software - TruGolf". TruGolf.
  5. ↑ Links: The Challenge of Golf at MobyGames
  6. ↑ Links Extreme comment at Games.net
  7. ↑ Microsoft LPGA Press Release Archived 2009-03-26 at the Wayback Machine.
  8. ↑ Links 2003 comment at GameNationTV.com
  9. ↑ Links 2004 review at ArmChairEmpire.com
  10. ↑ Links 2003 Championship Edition Press Release Archived 2009-03-26 at the Wayback Machine.
  11. ↑ Links Golf Courses Library at LangKong.com Archived July 13, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  12. ↑ Products Archived 2009-03-25 at the Wayback Machine.
  13. ↑ "The 15 Most Innovative Computer Games". Computer Gaming World. November 1996. p. 102. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  14. ↑ "Top 100 Games of All Time". Next Generation. No. 21. Imagine Media. September 1996. p. 47.
  15. ↑ Rosano, Paul (February 13, 2000). "The Best Don't Always Sell". Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on April 2, 2018.
  16. 1 2 Edge Staff (August 25, 2006). "The Top 100 PC Games of the 21st Century". Edge. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012.
  17. ↑ Morris, Dan (March 2003). "The Ninth Annual PC Gamer Awards". PC Gamer US. 10 (3): 48–50, 54, 58, 60, 66, 68, 70.
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