IN FOCUS

THE WRAPPING PAPER SIZZLES IN THE FIREPLACE. YOUR CHILDREN HAVE TIED THE RIBBONS IN THEIR HAIR, WRAPPED THEM AROUND THE DOG, AND STRUNG THEM ON THE BANNISTER. EVERYONE HAS INSPECTED EVERYONE ELSE'S TOYS. WHAT NOW? GATHER THE FAMILY AROUND THE COMPUTER FOR A GROUP ASSAULT ON SOME GHOULS IN A MAZE. TAKE TURNS AT YOUR HOME MINIATURE GOLF COURSE. PLAY TOGETHER. MORE AND MORE GAMES ARE COMING OUT FOR GROUPS, SO PICK UP A FEW EXTRA JOYSTICKS AND SET UP SOME MORE CHAIRS BY THE COMPUTER. WE'LL TELL YOU ABOUT SOFTWARE FOR THE FAMILY THAT WANTS TO PLAY TOGETHER IN "THE MORE THE MERRIER" ON PAGE 22. • WHEN YOU WENT OUT IN SEARCH OF THE GAME TO LIGHT UP YOUR FAMILY'S EYES, DID YOU KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? THERE'S A LOT OF SMALL PRINT ON A SOFTWARE BOX. FIND OUT WHAT IT MEANS IN "BIG GAME HUNTER" ON PAGE 38. • GROUP GAMES AREN'T A NEW TREND, BUT THEIR SUCCESS WILL BE HARD-EARNED. READ WHAT A MULTIPLAYER GAME DESIGNER HAS TO SAY IN "MY VIEW" ON PAGE 34. FIND THE PERFECT GIFT FOR ANYONE IN OUR HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE ON PAGE 46. • ON OUR DISK YOU'LL FIND GAMES YOUR FAMILY WILL STAND IN LINE TO PLAY. READ ABOUT THEM ON PAGE 56. • "RESOURCES," ON PAGE 54, WILL HELP YOU FIND MORE FUN TO OCCUPY YOUR FAVORITE GROUP ALL YEAR. IN DECEMBER, COMPUTE! IS YOUR EXPERT ON FAMILY FUN & GIFTS