INC: Why is this the first SDK created by Apple for games?

HIRSHON: When the Mac first came out, the PCers called it a toy. Apple reacted by placing an emphasis on the business use of the Mac. All we gave game developers was the operating parameters.

INC: So you want developers to create for the OS and transfer to other systems?

HIRSHON: Our goal is to make sure that the best games available on any platform, PC or console, are Mac games. We have higher resolution graphics and better sound than anything else, so we should have the best games.

INC: Will this SDK be viable if Apple ceases to exist as a hardware company?

HIRSHON: We're never going to cease to exist. From the CEO on down, we've always said that the Mac will always be a hardware platform. Clones are using the PowerPC. There's the Motorola brand of Macs. So you won't see Mac disappear anytime soon. The company has had some financial trouble and is trying to deal with it. We still have 22M users out there and the number keeps growing. Even though we have only 10% of the market, a much higher percentage of our users are game players, as opposed to Wintel.

INC: Do you feel that Apple's future is based on how ubiquitous the clones become?

HIRSHON: All clones do is increase the overall market share for the Mac OS.

INC: When did Apple decide to create the SDK?

HIRSHON: We started creating the games technology group about a year ago. We invited people like LucasArts to tell us what they wanted to see in this SDK. It wasn't created in a vacuum. We want the Mac to have the most feature-rich games available. People can port them to other platforms, but they won't run as well. So Apple can sell more computers.

INC: What has response (to SDK) been like?

HIRSHON: Outstanding. Companies like LucasArts, Bungie Software and PF Magic are looking at this for integration into their games. Apple's goal is to help these companies and individual game producers to create killer content.

INC: You think games will sell the hardware?

HIRSHON: Absolutely. Every Apple computer uses a RISC processor. Games that take advantage of that will help sell Performas.

INC: A popular game selling for $40 will get people to spend $2500 on a computer?

HIRSHON: DOOM did that for the PC. For people waffling on buying a computer, things like DOOM can be the impetus to buy a home PC. We want to do that with the Mac.

INC: What about on-line gaming? Will it matter what hardware you use at home?

HIRSHON: On-line gaming is the future. Running a 3D on-line game will tear up your processor unless it 's RISC based, which is where we have the advantage over Pentium, which doesn't handle 3D very well.

INC: Does Apple have a policy on rating systems for games?

HIRSHON: Not at this time. Speaking personally, I think a rating system is valuable as long as it's not restrictive. It shouldn't be a way to ostracize games that are ultra-violent.

Check out specifics of Apple's SDK at www.dev.apple.com/games