To the worry of his few friends, Andy Smith is still fully immersed in Planescape Torment.

God knows what he's going through - no-one knows, really - but it's horrible, whatever it is. The only thing the rest of the team has to go on, as we struggle to call him back, occasionally mopping his brow, is a few garbled words uttered by his PC. Words like, "Don't let it end like this!" and, "I feel like I've been shredded through someone's bowels..."

Ashwin, meanwhile, has flipped out, too - over the graphics and atmospherics of Ecco the Dolphin, fresh-in on Dreamcast. Unfortunately, however, hardened, brutal cynic that he is, its gameplay hasn't exactly enthralled him. It seems he's far too hooked on fragging, flying and football to be charmed by the mellow capering and cavorting of Ecco and his friends. It's sad really, but 'Earth First' Andy's idea of improving this delightful title probably involves a harpoon gun and a tuna trawler.

Mind you, the whole office crowded round to enjoy his 'caps in asses' session on Soldier of Fortune, the new, gloriously gore-splattered shooter shortly to be hitting the PC market. With its exploding heads and bloody groin shots, it makes Saving Private Ryan look like The Sound of Music. Marvellous.

In fact, come to think of it, all it needs is a few dolphins...