Gamers Can Grip It and Rip It as 'Links 2003' Hits Store Shelves

Sept. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Although the weather is cooling, golfers still can swing like the pros as Microsoft Game Studios begins shipping "Links 2003" to retailers across the country today. PGA superstar Sergio Garcia returns to headline an all-star lineup of well-known professional golfers featured in "Links 2003."

In "Links 2003," Garcia and Annika Sorenstam are joined by professional golfers David Toms and the always-fashionable Jesper Parnevik. New to "Links 2003" is a Real-Time Swing feature that allows a player's mouse to become a club. Players pull back their mouse and the 3-D character goes into its backswing, then they lightly push the mouse forward and the character swings to strike the ball and begin the drive. The game's highly advanced ball physics factor in speed, tempo, direction and course conditions in real time, giving golfers more control over every shot. PC golfers can still indulge their choice of swing method, including the "classic" feel of "Links" click-swinging and the sweeping motion of PowerStroke.

To offer gamers a more realistic golf simulation, this newest version of the best-selling* golf simulator software features improved graphics, six all-new championship courses, several high-resolution 3-D characters, a new career mode and an expanded online component.

"'Links 2003' is so authentic, it can help you mentally improve your golf game because it presents you with so many real-life golf situations," Garcia said. "It is a terrific tool, and one that I recommend to golfers to learn course management and better understand the game of golf."

To celebrate the launch of "Links 2003," Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) will host the finals of the Million Dollar "Links" Virtual Golf Association Tour (VGA Tour) Oct. 28 in Atlanta, with Garcia acting as the celebrity caddie. For the third straight year, the top cybergolfers in the world will compete for the title "World's Best PC Golfer." The winner of the VGA Tour will have the opportunity to try to sink a putt on a real golf course for $1 million.

"Links 2003" gives golfers the opportunity to play on some of the world's most beautiful and exclusive golf courses, including Cabo del Sol (Mexico), Kauri Cliffs (New Zealand), GLENEAGLES (Scotland), The Tribute at Otsego Club and Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail's Cambrian Ridge (United States). In addition, "Links" golfers can play the "Links 2001" courses, as well as hundreds of user-created courses available for download at http://www.linkscountryclub.com/ .

"Links 2003" is designed for fast and easy online play. Using the all-new "Links" Match Maker, PC golfers can start an online tournament and play against their friends at any time. Players can even join matches online via a simplified, in-game process or via e-mail.

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Source: Microsoft Corp.

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