Xiphias Shows New Approach to Storytelling on CD-ROM

Xiphias introduces a new concept in consumer software, called the Matrix
Interface. All four of Xiphias' new products employ the Matrix. The
products, Kathy Smith's Fat Burning System on CD-ROM, SOFT KILL,
Illustrated Facts: How the World Works, and Illustrated Facts: How Things
Work, debut at the Chicago Consumer Electronics Show, and will ship in
August for the PC and the Mac. Xiphias' Matrix Interface gives the
audience the ability to play through stories as if they were a linear
presentation, like a TV show. Alternatively, a user can custom select
which segments stories will be displayed one by one. A parent can even
create a custom sequence to play back for the kids.

The Matrix Interface, designed to reduce complexity in the operation of
high video content CD-ROMs, was introduced at the TED4 conference in Kobe,
Japan, in early May. Xiphias will license the Matrix to home video
publishers for use in the republishing of video libraries on CD.

Xiphias President Peter Black suggests that the Matrix Interface titles
mark the beginning of a new kind of software. "You might expect this kind
of innovation from Microsoft or Apple. but sometimes what you're looking
for is where you least expect to find it. Xiphias is a small company with
very big ambitions. We intend to lead the way in the business of
storytelling on interactive media. That's why we designed the Matrix
Interface. Software for consumers simply can't demand the same amount of
attention that traditional business software does. 300 page manuals, and
branching hierarchical systems simply won't do."

The Matrix interface is an extraordinarily simple design for the electronic
packaging of linear material, ranging from special interest titles like
Kathy Smith's Fat Burning System, to movies and television shows. In
Black's words, the Matrix is designed to let a consumer 'get to the good
parts quick, or just sit back and hit the play button'.

The Matrix Interface design criteria were as follows: 

1) For parents, It had to be simple enough for Christmas Morning
2) For children, It had to get to the good parts quick. 
3) For designers, it had to be highly flexible. 
4) For content owners, it had to present a low incremental
   production cost.

Xiphias is a Los Angeles-based publisher of interactive CD-ROM products.
Xiphias' present product line includes The Time Table of History series,
The American Heritage Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary and the New
Basics Electronic Cookbook. Xiphias will introduce four new, Matrix-based
titles at the Consumer Electronic Show in June.

Xiphias is located at 8758 Venice Boulevard, LA, CA 90034. Phone (310) 841
2790. Fax (310) 841 2559.

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