Microsoft KB Archive/12067

BALANCE OF POWER PSS ID Number: Q12067 Article last modified on 11-12-1986 PSS database name: PRESS

from qemp Subject: BALANCE OF POWER BALANCE OF POWER: International Politics as the Ultimate Global Game by Chris Crawford $10.95, ISBN: 0-914845-97-7, Pub. Date: October 22, 1986

Microsoft Press Releases Companion Volume to Chris Crawford’s thought- provoking “Balance of Power”

Chris Crawford’s geopolitical simulation, Balance of Power, was introduced in December 1985 to high critical praise: “Balance of Power is about as close as one might get to the cut and thrust of international politics without going through confirmation by the Senate.” – David Aaron, Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, 1977-1981, writing in the New York Times Magazine “In the end, Balance of Power may prove more than just a game: several universities have already expressed interest in using the program to train real-life strategists.” – Michael Rogers, Newsweek “Ostensibly a game for the Macintosh, this simulation is one of the finest programs – of any type – that I’ve seen on a computer.” – Ezra Shapiro, BYTE

Now, Chris Crawford has written a book that complements his popular game. BALANCE OF POWER: International Politics as the Ultimate Global Game, is a timely book that explores the subtleties of the program and the stratagems of geopolitics. Mindscape Software and Microsoft Press will jointly promote the book and software with feature reviews, advertising, and author appearances. In BALANCE OF POWER, Chris Crawford has distilled the insights he gained >from his extensive research during the game’s development. He introduces, defines, and informally analyzes the concepts of insurgency, coup d’etats, Findlandization, and political crises, using events from recent history to illustrate. He discusses such factors as trade, neutrality, the third world nations, and explains how they can affect the game’s outcome. Throughout BALANCE OF POWER, Crawford offers readers an enlightening look at the finer points of game design. He explains how he created the game’s algorithms, and recreates the process of computer-game design from its genesis in early games, through development, to the final stages of bringing the product to market. In the final section, of BALANCE OF POWER, Crawford shares his strategy for playing this game. The book also includes a sample expert-level game. In all, Crawford’s blending of the peculiar requirements and challenges of computer simulation design with the need for realism make for provocative reading. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ “MSFT”), based in Redmond, Washington, develops, markets, and supports a wide range of software for business and professional use, including operating systems, languages, and application programs, as well as book and hardware for the microcomputer marketplace.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986.