Setting that aside for now, the manner as to which Microsoft handled this release is open for possible controversy. Allow me to illuminate the points that previous LS players may already know, and indeed may have forgotten.

How many players have actually registered the game, either in previous versions or the current one being used? How many players participate at LS Tour - the Official Tour site? And of course, how many were informed of the release of LS2000? The answers needn't be told… the information is there, twice in some cases!

Registration of a product usually allows technical support, something that isn't always forthcoming, even used correctly. Also, registration usually provides the user with advance notice of updates, something here that Microsoft falls down on a lot. How many Microsoft products actually inform you of latest updates and releases? Even Windows 98 doesn't do that... you have to find out for yourself at their update site. So, the information you give, is rarely used for the purpose its required. It could easily have been used to inform every LS Tour player that the game was released. It could easily have informed LS99 registered users that the new updated LS2000 was released. So, after installing LS2000, you can see why there's little point in trying to register it...

Talk of the coming release of LS2000 had been always on the various webboards, since it was announced for a Fall release. Indeed, many improvements were requested, such was the demand for a greater Golf sim. If I was to mention the `drop rule', most players would know what I mean, and how it was debated for improvement. So, the topic was expressed through various posts. Dates were discussed on the webboards too, and then came news on the $15 rebate for previous version holders. Not a new thing for LS, but it was welcome. The question of International users, and the rebate for those outside of the US was asked and answered quickly on the LS Tour webboard - `it has been passed to the Marketing Dept' - the end answer was a `no answer'. Leaving blank answers, and allowing opinions, and I will voice mine. A personal one is, that this was too much effort for someone to answer, rude and ignorance stand up as 2 words for this. A non-biased opinion obviously believes this was financially impossible. Your opinion?

Being a previous version holder for possibly only a short time, since the LS appeared next to the range of Links, its safe to say that most pc golf sim players were into various software titles similarly emulating the same game. LS grew into something of world status with the ease of play and sheer quality. Buying the rights for Access and the forthcoming releases of LS2000, Microsoft had secured a good deal for themselves. Their own Microsoft Golf was waning, and still is. Microsoft didn't let the water continue to flow under the bridge though, they immediately made themselves felt by shutting a lot of options down from the Access site that a lot had used in the past. The support that was available became non-existent, and access to Access products became scarcer. Amongst the LS players, rumblings were felt.

Soon after this, the famous courses began disappearing again, and although it was felt another course library was being planned with the withdrawal of Valderrama from general sales, nothing appeared.

So, the mood rolled on, with LS Tour's site being hit and expanded into areas that were obviously felt lacking, and a tech support area was raised. Microsoft was trying to amend things. The actual play at LS Tour still wasn't affected... but as for the future LS2001, who knows?

Dare I bring up the interim period of LS Extreme, the first official Microsoft tag release? Although it was expected long before the Microsoft involvement, the success of this launch would have been taken by them, so the blame must also attach itself somewhere. How about the different swing meter between LS Extreme and LS99... still no-one from Access/Microsoft dares admit what is in front of them! The product has still be acknowledged fittingly by anyone and supported fully.

Recent improvements in the game and technology had us all feeling something good was coming...especially with all the posts of possible improvements from its LS Tour members. So, when it did come to release time, why was it not made available to the people who wanted it?

The release is still ongoing, and it will not arrive here in the UK until November 19th or thereabouts. Other countries may be worse. But even the US was hit with Microsoft's weird shipping arrangements. What does one outlet have against another? Is there something to read in between the lines, or is it simply bad planning?

Microsoft released to a small percentage of stores and mail order companies early October. News began spreading through all the webboards, and actual copies were purchased, and stores ran out of stock. Microsoft's home site didn't even offer the game for sale through internet purchase until stores began receiving it, and it certainly wasn't going to allow International purchasers a chance to buy a copy. Their policy of overseas ordering needs looking into for such a global company.

Being able to purchase a copy myself through Babbages, and paying (a lot) extra for shipping, I received my copy the other day, amongst everyone else's odd reviews of the game. Trying not to be swayed one way or the other, the game is seen by most as nothing but a patch with new courses; I had to agree after playing it myself. There is little in the way of offering a NEW game these days, most titles bearing the same name do it by adding new levels and characters and re-packaging it. I know...it is similar, it's proven, and we WILL buy it - but the obvious does need stating once in a while...

So, the two issues now indeed roll into one quite neatly. The actual game is still as good as it was; there are some improvements, but little in terms of measurement. In fact, the bugs are beginning to show themselves to users now... something that Access has frequently had within the LS range, but now, with Microsoft holding the flag - you feel that these bugs are always going to be there.

Incidentally, the release of LS2001, at least a year away, should have everyone waiting with tense anticipation. The complete overhaul that has been suggested will cause more controversy than previously known. Most, if not all the LS releases has been supported by numerous sites on the internet, running tours, offering files for download, and .wavs to increase the `realness' of the commentator. All of these have kept the products life going from release to release... take them away, and the shelf life will expire very quickly. I hope Microsoft know what they are doing when they remove any successful sites supporting them.

Ian Downs