Monday's announcement that Microsoft would be acquiring Salt Lake City, Utah-based Access Software may not have been a surprise to some readers since GameSpot News had reported rumors about the acquisition back in February. An acquisition of this scale will undoubtedly reshape the future of golf on the PC. Because of all the speculation surrounding the deal, we decided to ask Access' CEO, Bruce Carver, and Microsoft Games Group general manager, Ed Fries, about the acquisition and what it means for the Links series, Access Software, and Microsoft's own golfing product - MS Golf.

　　The one point that both companies wanted to get across was that Links is not going away anytime soon. Microsoft and Access know that Links has die-hard fans and those die-hard fans would be more than vocal if anything were to happen to the series. With a 15-year history behind the best-selling PC golf series of all time. For many years Links' fans have putted and sliced, and watched the series mature into the ultimate in golf simulation. Many consider the Microsoft Golf series competition for Links, although MS Golf has always focused more on action and less simulation format, and the Microsoft's formula hasn't beat the fervor desktop golfers have for Access' game.

　　Talks between the two companies began last November. During the negotiations Access kept its focus on what has made it the success it is. "Our focus is on golf," explains Carver, talking about his company. "The reason we wanted to do this was because Microsoft has been known for high-quality titles. We want to grow our golf business." Carver's laid-back tone and good humor may sound like your typical golfer. But on this day, his good humor felt as though it was coming from a man expressing humility after making a good business deal. He also seemed to know that that he probably wouldn't have to change greatly to adapt to his new position as Microsoft's product unit manager. He knows all there is to know about Links.

　　Microsoft apparently has a great deal of faith in Access: It has let the company remain in Salt Lake City, Utah, instead of uprooting its operations and making them relocate to Redmond and the Seattle, Wash. area. Also, Microsoft approves of Access' formula for making great games and will keep a relatively "hands-off" approach regarding the company and its development. "We like having this group work independently and plan to keep them independent," says Ed Fries.

　　Access gains added distribution in the US and in Europe with its Microsoft union. It also gains more resources to focus on creativity, as Microsoft takes over more of Access' business affairs - something Access' CEO embraces. Carver doesn't get to golf as much as he'd like to, and while he loves the game of golf, he'd like to focus on Links to make it as realistic as possible. "I'm an engineer, and I always look at the physics side of golf, " jokes Carver. "When I golf, I'm usually out there trying to figure out why the stupid ball won't go into the hole."

　　While Access is letting Microsoft manage the company at large, it made sure that some aspects of the company stay under Access control. Considering the series' fan base, Access will keep its ears open for tips and features that Links players want in their games. "We want to retain that magic and connection with our hard-core users." Carver says very seriously about the fans that have kept his company in business all these years. "We want to keep people online so they can express themselves." The second part of the deal with Microsoft is that Access will keep its 800 number so players won't have to deal with dialing through Microsoft's system.

　　Microsoft and Access last worked together during the early stages of Microsoft's golfing history. Why did that relationship end? Ed Fries is very up-front in saying that Microsoft wanted to move Links to Windows 95, while Access wanted to stick with its DOS roots. In 1992, both companies went their separate ways. While not supporting a new technology or new operating system potentially leaves any company open to failure, Access continued to thrive without all the licenses and endorsements that others used to get golfers to buy their games. Would Access ever consider getting licenses and endorsements as its competitors do, now that it is part of a company with loads of capitol to invest? Carver says it has been something he has been interested in and would consider, but he says he would remain "selective" about any licensing deals. Names of celebrity golfers may bring some people to a game, but Access wants to make sure its games are about the gameplay first. "What we bring is more passion to the game of golf." Carver says.

　　So what will happen to Access now that it's under Microsoft's wing? Carver says that his company name doesn't have that much recognition, while Links does, so he isn't wedded to the idea of keeping the name. Also, there's the problem of having a name that's the same as Microsoft's database product - Access.

　　For now, Carver is staying focused on what he and his developers do best - making golf happen on the PC. He knows that the deal may spawn some negativity in the eyes of some longtime Links fans, and he wants to assure them that he will make sure that no serious changes will come to the Links series. The company will release its next game, Links Extreme, will bear Access Software, Microsoft, and Links labeling on its package. Microsoft has helped very little in the game's development, since a majority of the game had already been completed before the acquisition. Microsoft Golf will step down to become a value-level product, while Links will become Microsoft's top-tier golf offering.

　　In closing, we asked, "Does Microsoft now have any plans to introduce a new force feedback golf controller." After listening to a few "hmms" on the other end of the phone, we believe we may have actually given Microsoft a new idea.