An Asterix and Obelix game will be available in time for the 1998 holiday season. © Infogrames Multimedia.

"There is more and more television in the web and more and more computer in television," said Alain Le Diberder, Director of New Programs for Canal + and President of Canal + Multimèdia.

That's why, I, a representative from France 3's Children's Programs Department, went to Cannes to explore the multimedia jungle. After five years, let's discuss the general trends we can notice at MILIA.

Everyone Has A Specialty
Each interactive program creator has chosen his own field and specializes in it. Those who create cultural products do it exclusively and constantly improve their know-how and the way to make production efficient and fruitful. This also applies to encyclopedia and language teaching products, games, educational programs and children's programs.

Everybody Is Imitating
There is an incredible number of cultural programs, games and educational programs on Egypt, the Middle Ages, discovery trips and the Second World War. Everyone is convinced that he has found an outstanding idea...

Poor Children, I Mean Those Under Eight
Since parents buy most programs, and even keeping in mind that they are mostly games for their children, they usually seek games which are educational. If children are faced with educational programs even out of school...I wish they could just go for a bicycle ride outside. Fortunately, there are a few exceptions, because some houses have a good editorial policy. Dorling Kindersley, for example, edits programs which are interesting for their content, as well as for their general presentation.

Heart of Darkness will be available for PC platforms in summer 1998. © Infogrames Multimedia/1998 Amazing Studio.

Can an Animation Program Be a Successful CD-Rom?
There are numerous adaptations between the mediums which are more or less successful. Some CD-Rom programs come from animation programs which are themselves taken from comics. Most of the well known adaptations to CD-Rom have met with success because they feature famous animated characters. At MILIA, animation producers and CD-Rom producers met together and it became clear that they do not understand each other. It is understandable since both of their professions and knowledge are distinct. Why should a CD-Rom producer pay for the rights to exploit one or several cartoon heroes, especially if they are not notorious yet? However, there is a mutual fascination that opens the way to future collaboration. In fact, someone who has an understanding of both medias will be a potential leader in this market.