developed Greg Norman Ultimate Challenge Golf, and Microsoft Golf 1998 Edition uses the same game engine. The game uses DirectDraw for graphics rendering. Release and marketing The game was published by Microsoft in the United States in May 1998. That month, Microsoft and company Eddie Bauer partnered to promote Microsoft Golf 1998 Special Edition, a basic version of the game featuring only the Preserve 9 course. It was created specifically for Eddie Bauer. The Eddie Bauer logo and website are featured in the game, which was given away to Eddie Bauer customers who purchased merchandise costing $75 or more. A basic demo version of the full game, titled Microsoft Golf 1998 Lite and featuring only the Preserve 9 course, was included with Microsoft Plus! 98 upon its release in June 1998. In August 1998, Microsoft hosted a promotional media event at Washington's Museum of Flight, coinciding with the 1998 PGA Championship being held in the state, where Microsoft was headquartered. The event, titled "Battle in Seattle", was a three-hole matchup between professional golfers Craig Stadler and Michelle McGann, who competed against each other in the game. The event included a jumbo screen to watch the match, as well as 10 computers featuring demo versions of the game. The event garnered only about 80 people, below Microsoft's expectations. Media attendees included ESPN and Fox Sports, in addition to several PGA Tour players. Reception Some critics considered Microsoft Golf 1998 Edition to be a significant improvement over its predecessors. Stephen Poole of GameSpot wrote that "the only way you'd know it had anything to do with the previous versions is from the name." Scott A. May of Computer Gaming World praised the game for retaining "the polished, user-friendly feel of the previous versions, but little else." He stated that veteran fans of the series would be surprised by Microsoft Golf 1998 Edition, while people who ignored its predecessors for their lack of depth "finally have a reason to take another look" at the series. Gordon Goble of Gamecenter stated that nearly everything about the series had been changed for the better with the release of Microsoft Golf 1998 Edition. Paul Rosano of Hartford Courant called it "a worthwhile and successful, albeit overdue, upgrade." The graphics were praised, although some critics still considered them inferior when compared to Links LS 1998 and Jack Nicklaus 5. Poole considered the graphics to be "the biggest