Software pirates, steer clear of this one:...
Software pirates, steer clear of this one: Daryl Gates, the police-chief-turned-talk-jock, is branching out into still another career. He’s been signed to design an installment of a computer company’s “Police Quest” game.
Gates will put players “in the role of a present-day LAPD detective tracking down the source of seemingly random murders,” says the company, Sierra On-Line. “By-the-book procedures and real-world pressures from the media and public play a dominant part in the game.”
Sierra spokesman Bill Linn said that Gates, now a KFI radio host, was initially reluctant to sign on because he thought “it was a Nintendo, reflex-type game.” But Linn said Gates changed his mind after he played a previous installment of the cerebral “Police Quest,” in which a cop attempts to track down a drug lord.
How did the chief fare?
“I’m not sure,” Linn replied. “But these games are pretty tough.”
The spokesman said that the episodes, which take from 40 to 100 hours to play, have “subplots and things to throw you off.”
Speaking of the latter category, we might suggest to players that if a riot should start in Gates’ “Police Quest” installment and he advises, “Drive to political reception,” think twice about it.
List of the Day: In our continuing study of the city’s list of 190,340 registered dog names, we found that several hounds bear the monikers of notables. There are, for instance, 48 Elvises (or Elvi, if you prefer). Others so honored:
1. Madonna, 18
2. Houdini, 16
3. Al Capone, 6
4. Gretzky, 5
5. Prince Charles, 4 (compared to 1 Princess Di)
6. Bob Barker, 3
7. Greta Garbo, 3
8. Vanna White, 2
9. Jerry Brown, 2
10. (Tie) George Bush, Bo Jackson, Reggie Jackson, Chairman Mao, George Putnam, Donna Rice, Sylvester Stallone, 1 each. There are, incidentally, no Gary Harts--in L.A.--for Donna Rice to pal around with.
Let’s see Federal Express deliver THAT: We get the impression from the accompanying blurb, forwarded by Frank Williams of Van Nuys, that those entering a logo contest for Lesbian Visibility Week in West Hollywood don’t stand much chance of having their work returned.
Fashion statement: A panhandler seen on Spring Street was using a makeshift belt to hold up his pants--a piece of law enforcement yellow tape, the type that says, “Caution--Do Not Cross Line.”
miscelLAny:
In a study in “The Book of American City Rankings,” Long Beach was fourth and L.A. was 24th in the percentage of unmarried men who have been divorced. Las Vegas ranked No. 1.
