"And what kind of game have you been working on?"

"Well, we took one of Game Kid's favourites, Tekken 3, and made a few tweaks of our own to the gameplay and graphics. In the Big Jack fights, for instance, we've taken out those dreary inner-city futurescapes and put in this rather nice Victorian look. My own favourite feature is that bargain basement alcove effect over there with the MDF polygons..."

Five minutes later...

"Well Game Kid, it's the moment of truth. Are you ready to see what your neighbours have done to Tekken 3?"

"Sure... aaargh!!! What have you done to it! It's ruined! And what's this swirly sh....."

"But what about the new features they've put in - like the 'Run Away' button?"

"Are you kidding? Running away is for wimps."

"Well, looks like we could have a falling out later on, ho ho. I'm just glad I brought my hard hat!"

"Well, Mike and Sue: nervous?"

The two 30-somethings smile sheepishly.

"Let's go and see what he's done, shall we?"

It's dim inside the house. The small living room, once so tidy, is now a tangle of cables which they must struggle through. In a corner the TV screen glows. They gather in horrified fascination before it.

PRESS ANY BUTTON TO BEGIN.

Gingerly Mike presses a button.

WELCOME TO GAME KID'S CHALLENGE. PRESS ANY BUTTON TO CONTINUE.

"This is exciting, isn't it?" says Carol.

YOU HAVE NOW STARTED A COUNTDOWN SEQUENCE. THIS HOUSE WILL SELF-DESTRUCT IN TWO MINUTES. TO ABORT THE COUNTDOWN ENTER FROM YOUR CONTROLLER THE CORRECT CODE. GOOD LUCK.

From somewhere in the house a deep and escalating rumble begins.

"Jesus..."

Two minutes later Mike, Sue, Carol, the crew and a small but growing crowd stand in the road staring in disbelief at the heap of smouldering wreckage which was once a home.

After a while a familiar figure turns up. "Ah, you played my game then. A bit better than the old Time Crisis, wasn't it?"

They all turn as one and look at him, murder in their eyes.

"What was that run away button again?"