Further still, Sid Meier's Gettysburg, one of a string of simulation and strategy publications from the US-based Firaxis development house, is credited for the way it manages to depict "detail's of Gettysburg's terrain and landscape often missed in other wargames", and the fact that a "command presence affects the morale of units and plays an important role in determining the outcome of a battle". Or to put it another way, it's unexpectedly and usefully realistic.

But what does all this mean to the everyday gamer? Is the formal adoption of this software by a military outfit likely to change the face of videogames? Well, yes, and in two ways, as game development houses realise there's money to be made from creating a simulation that can be of use to the armed forces, and military simulation developers wise-up to the existence of a games market.

A rash of game developers have taken advantage of the recent vogue for creating simulations that are more real than real by employing military help. TacOps (a game previously published by Avalon Hill Games but seeking a new home following Hasbro Interactive's recent acquisition of the company) was developed by a retired Marine, Major I. Holdridge. NAM from GT Interactive utilises the skills of Sergeant Dan Snyder, listed in the game's credits as "Subject Matter Expert", while tank sim Spearhead (published by Interactive Magic and developed by Zombie VR and MAK Technologies), lists both the US Marines and US Army among its advisory staff.

And here's where the story twists again, as American firm MAK Technologies - traditionally a provider of custom-built military simulation software to the US Department of Defence - step into the picture. MAK intend to be the first company in the world to develop a game that's designed to be suitable for both military and commercial use. Currently in development, MAK's latest title MEU 2000 will be created with a mixture of entertainment industry and US Department of Defence funding.