Star Trek: The Next Generation Interactive Technical Manual

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Star Trek: The Next Generation Interactive Technical Manual is a multimedia application software program published by Simon and Schuster Interactive in 1994. Based on the then-recently ended TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation , it allows users to explore a computer-generated simulation of the spacecraft USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D, the principal setting of the series. The software uses Apple Computer's QuickTime VR, a technology which enables users to view every side of 3D rendered objects, [1] and includes a virtual tour given by Jonathan Frakes (in his role as William Riker from the TV series). The Interactive Technical Manual was billed as the first CD-ROM title built with QuickTime VR. [2]

Contents

History

The software was created by Keith Halper, Mike Okuda, Rick Sternbach, John Knoll; Eric Zarakov and the Apple Advanced Technology Group; Peter Mackey and the Imergy Software Development Team. [3] Technical writers, set designers, and film production crews from the Star Trek: The Next Generation TV series assisted in the production. [1] Halper said at the time that QuickTime VR enabled the team to "create immersive experiences" impossible otherwise. [4]

The CD-ROM was one of three finalists for PC Magazine 's 12th Annual Awards for Technical Excellence, as it was the first implementation of Apple's QuickTime VR technology. [3] [5] It was a commercial hit, with global sales in excess of 400,000 units by 1996. [6]

A port of the program was announced for the Apple Bandai Pippin and was one of the console's most high-profile titles, [7] but was ultimately never released.

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References

  1. 1 2 "To Boldly Go Where No Man Has Gone Before...". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 61. EGM Media, LLC. August 1994. p. 167.
  2. ↑ Duncan, Geoff (July 17, 1995). "QuickTime VR is Actually Real". Tidbits (286). Archived from the original on April 10, 1997.
  3. 1 2 Staff (December 19, 1995). "Finalist: Star Trek: The Next Generation Interactive Technical Manual". PC Magazine . Archived from the original on December 7, 2000.
  4. ↑ Elia, Eric (April 1995). "QuickTime VR Gets Surrounded". NewMedia. Archived from the original on July 13, 1997.
  5. ↑ Michael J. Miller (December 19, 1995). "Finalist: Star Trek: The Next Generation Interactive Technical Manual (awards listing)". PC Magazine . Archived from the original on January 19, 2001. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Interactive Meltdown:publishers Retreating from Digital Books". 20 September 2006.
  7. ↑ "Pippin: The Apple of Bandai's Eye". GamePro . No. 70. IDG. May 1995. p. 16.

Star Trek: The Next Generation Interactive Technical Manual (CD-ROM) at IMDb


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