The Software Publishers Association, a trade organization for the software industry, handed out its annual Excellence in Software Awards, called the Codies, earlier this week. The awards are meant to honor "software publishers for outstanding creativity and innovation."

　　Many of the 39 awards given out this year went to productivity and educational publishers, but entertainment software grabbed its share of the spotlight. Blizzard Entertainment and Red Orb Entertainment both took home two Codie Awards.

　　The Codie for "Best Adventure/Role-Playing Software Game" went to Diablo from Blizzard Entertainment. Diablo was also awarded the "Best Multi-Player Online Game" of 1997. Interplay's Star Trek Starfleet Academy was picked as the "Best Arcade/Action Software Game." Access Software's Links LS 1998 Edition was named "Best Sports Software Game." And honors for "Best Strategy Software Game" went to Command & Conquer Red Alert from Westwood Studios.

　　Red Orb's Riven: The Sequel to Myst nabbed "Best Overall Multimedia Production" honors, while the "Best Use of Visual Arts in Multimedia" Codie went to Hasbro Interactive's Monopoly Star Wars. Riven also was chosen for "New Consumer Software" accolades.