Microsoft Home CD Sampler

Description

Microsoft Home CD Sampler is a promotional disc designed to showcase Microsoft’s expanding line of multimedia, edutainment, and productivity software for Windows 3.1 and early Windows 95 PCs. The software provides an interactive digital catalogue, through a colorful, user-friendly interface to access playable demos, video previews, and interactive slideshows of prominent titles from the Microsoft Home brand. It served as a massive tech demo for the burgeoning CD-based Multimedia PC, demonstrating the hardware’s ability to seamlessly integrate text, high-colour graphics, high-quality audio, and MPEG1 Full Motion Video into cohesive educational packages. For games, it demonstrated the transition from DOS to the Windows 95 environment, utilising very early DirectX technology.

Games and game demos:

• Fury³: A high-performance 32-bit aerial combat simulator; included a playable two-mission demo.
• Doom 95: A Windows-native port of the industry-defining first-person shooter.
• Hover!: A full-version 3D capture-the-flag game featuring advanced bumper-car physics.
• Full Tilt! Pinball: The “Space Cadet” table, later integrated into future Windows releases.
• Microsoft Golf 2.0: Photorealistic environments and digitized swing mechanics.
• Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure: The classic side-scrolling platformer.
• Return of Arcade: Classic Namco titles, including Pac-Man and Galaga.
• The “8 Games for Windows”: A collection of casual, native Windows titles from the Best of Microsoft Entertainment Pack:
  • SkiFree: The iconic downhill skiing game.
  • Rodent’s Revenge: A puzzle game involving trapping cats with movable blocks.
  • Rattler Race: A snake-style game with increasing difficulty levels.
  • Life Genesis: A simulation based on Conway’s Game of Life.
  • JigSawed: A digital jigsaw puzzle creator.
  • Dr. Black Jack: A card game simulation.
  • Fuji Golf: A classic 16-bit golf simulation.
  • Chess: A fundamental computer chess game.

Reference & Education demos:

• Encarta ’95: A comprehensive tour of the premiere digital encyclopedia and its interactive atlas.
• Microsoft Dinosaurs: An educational exploration of the Mesozoic Era hosted by “Dino Don” Lessem.
• Microsoft Oceans: A guided multimedia experience focusing on marine biology and oceanography.
• Microsoft Dangerous Creatures: A deep dive into global wildlife featuring over 250 high-quality video clips.
• Cinemania ’95: An interactive film guide featuring reviews, star biographies, and cinematic excerpts.
• Microsoft Wine Guide: A digital sommelier experience featuring instructional content by Oz Clarke.
• Magic School Bus Series: Interactive trials for Explores the Solar System and The Human Body.
• Explorapedia: The World of Nature and The World of People reference series for children.
• Automap Road Atlas: A precursor to modern GPS, providing detailed route planning for North America.

Productivity & Creativity demos:

• 3D Movie Maker: A demonstration of the toolkit used to create animated 3D scenes and dialogue.
• Creative Writer & Fine Artist: Guided tutorials for writing, page layout, and digital painting.
• Microsoft Publisher 95: A demonstration of “PageWizards” for professional-grade desktop publishing.
• Microsoft Bob: A preview of the experimental social interface designed for novice computer users.
• Microsoft Money: An interactive look at 32-bit personal finance management and digital banking.
• Microsoft Works 4.0: A highlight of the integrated suite comprising a word processor, spreadsheet, and database.

Standalone Multimedia files (The “Goodies” Folder)

• Music Video: Buddy Holly by Weezer (directed by Spike Jonze).
• Music Video: Good Times by Edie Brickell.
• Cinematic Trailer: Rob Roy (1995 theatrical release).
• Television Promo: The Magic School Bus animated series.