January 5, 1998
Microshaft Winblows 98 is a 1998 interactive comedy video game for Windows and the Classic Mac OS. It parodies the then-upcoming Windows 98 operating system, as well as Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. Released by Palladium Interactive during the United States v. Microsoft Corp. case and at a time when Microsoft, Windows, and Gates were easy targets for jokes, the game offers a satirical take on this ripe subject matter.
Developed by Parroty Interactive, the self-professed National Lampoon of the interactive media industry, Microshaft Winblows 98 became the company's fourth interactive comedy video game, after Pyst which is a clone of adventure video game Myst, Star Warped which is a satire of science-fiction film series Star Wars, and The X-Fools, a spoof of supernatural TV series The X-Files, respectively. Initially released on January 5, 1998 before gaining further exposure through being present at Macworld Expo, Microshaft Winblows 98 was praised by magazines and newspapers, mostly for its clever and blunt humor.
Storyline
Microshaft Winblows 98 is a spoof on the Microsoft Windows 98 operating system. It is a collection of small games and other interactive activities that spoof both Microsoft, Windows and Bill Gates.
Included games are "The Roll Ahead" a strategy board game where the player has to recreate Bill Gate's road to success, "Billagotchi" Bill's cyber ego that has to be fed money once in a while and the trivia game "Win Bill's Money".
The "Campus Cam" allows you to take a peak in the daily going ons at Microshaft, "MSTV" shows you the future of television according to Microshaft, "Reject Bin" shows some failed Microshaft products, "Bill's Personal Outlook" allows you to look at Gate's personal files and "Winblows Exploder" allows you to blow up all those computer related annoyances.
Sound Effects Used
- Hollywoodedge, Bullet Ricochet OffD PE096901
- Hollywoodedge, Crunchy Fist Impact PE247301
- Hollywoodedge, Fart 7 Lowpitched Jui PE139501
- Hollywoodedge, Gun Classic Pistol Co PE090601
- Hollywoodedge, Punch Face Hit 1 Sharp PE100101
- Hollywoodedge, Quick Whistle Zip By CRT057503
- Hollywoodedge, Sword Shing With Sword PE103301
- Hollywoodedge, Warning Buzzer Indus PE194401
- Hollywoodedge, Winchester Rifle Coc PE090901
- Sound Ideas, BORK, CARTOON - LOUD ZORK
- Sound Ideas, CARTOON - HITS - HAMMERING ON HEAD - BELL / VIBRATO 02