Windows 2000 as a Gaming Platform

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The advanced hardware support in Windows 2000 also enhances the system's potential as a gaming platform:

  • Built-in joystick support lets you just plug in a joystick, follow Windows through the calibration routine, and play. (Your computer must have a game port, which typically is included on a sound card or a multifunction I/O card.) Windows 2000 Professional also supports force feedback joysticks and universal serial bus (USB) game controllers.
  • Plug and Play makes the installation and setup of the requisite gaming hardware—sound cards, joysticks, CD-ROM drives, and so on—nearly painless.
  • Support for multiple monitors provides additional opportunities for game developers.

To underscore the point that Windows 2000 is a system suitable for running quality games, Microsoft included a visually and sonically exciting pinball game with your operating system. This game, 3D Pinball for Windows, made its debut as part of the Plus! accessory package for Microsoft Windows 95. It makes its first appearance on the NT platform with Windows 2000.

In this chapter, we'll look at Microsoft 3D Pinball for Windows—Space Cadet, along with the three other games supplied with Windows 2000 Professional—Solitaire, Minesweeper, and FreeCell. You'll find menu items for all four games by opening the Start menu and choosing Programs, Accessories, Games.



Running Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
Running Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
ISBN: 1572318384
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2000
Pages: 317

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