Games People Play, The Download (1990 Strategy Game)

The title pretty much says it all, a game package featuring two card games (Gin and Cribbage) and two board games (Checkers and Backgammon). Gin and Cribbage have personality based A.I. advisors and opponents. The checkers program is endorsed by the American Checker Federation and includes official play rules such as 2-move and 3-move openings. The backgammon game has four variations of play (Traditional, Acey-deucy, Dutch, and Plakoto).

The Games People Play is a lackluster collection of two card games (Gin and Cribbage) and two board games (Checkers and Backgammon). Clearly Software Toolworks wanted to market the game as a "premium" title, touting numerous features and endorsements. For instance, from MobyGames game entry: "Gin and Cribbage offer supposedly personality-based A.I. advisors and opponents. The checkers program is endorsed by the American Checker Federation and includes official play rules such as 2-move and 3-move openings. The backgammon game has four variations of play (Traditional, Acey-deucy, Dutch, and Plakoto)."

Unfortunately, these features cannot make up for the fact that none of the games in TGPP is particularly challenging. I was able to beat the computer opponent in all 4 games fairly consistently - the AI is a far cry from a decent one in Software Toolworks' own Chessmaster games. Since AI is the most important aspect of a good board game, TGPP leaves a lot to be desired. Recommended only if you are a novice to these games and prefer to learn the games rather than finding a tough opponent to beat.

How to run this game on modern Windows PC?

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