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I'm a home wrecker. I've neglected my job, ignored my wife and let the children go without food. I've been trying to get the attention of the woman next door and there just isn't time for anything else. It's become my life. That's what 'The Sims', the latest computer game phenomenon from Maxis, does to you. Forget Rubik's cube, forget Lara Croft, this is where it's at.

If you're careful in the way you design your 'sim' people, they may be lucky enough to get married - at least that will be some consolation when your spouse walks out on you.

Breathing life into this 21st Century Tamagotchi takes a minimum of a Pentium 233 although a PII is recommended for smoother play. Be warned though: these little computer people eat up hard drive space (up to 300Mb) but watching them grow, helping them build better houses, have parties and set fire to the children should be reward enough.

You see, 'The Sims' is a training ground for life. Really. Take your virtual people through life and look out for their every need. Work, play, pleasure and pain - it's all in there, accessible, realistic and deeply engrossing. Start playing and before you know it you?ll be as concerned for your computer generated family as you are for the real one who will no doubt be missing your presence at meal times. Just take my advice and argue the game?s socially minded mission ? you?ll be learning cause and effect, you?ll be learning to take responsibility for your actions at long last. Surely your husband, wife, boss, teacher, mother, father and all your dependents can understand that?

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