New From E3

GREATEST REGENERATION “Massively multiplayer” games–played online with hundreds or thousands of real people–were the rage at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles last week. Few were as ambitious as World War II Online: Blitzkrieg from Playnet. Starting this fall, you can pay $9.99 a month to re-enact the great battles and try to claw your way up the ranks to Supreme Commander.

HIGHLY CIVILIZED It’s been five years since legendary gamemaker Sid Meier released Civilization II, the greatest computer strategy game of all time. Until now. Civilization III, released this fall, takes history simulation to the next level. You manage not only your fledging society’s military and economy over 4,000 years but its trade and culture too, matching wits against such computer opponents as Chairman Mao and Abraham Lincoln. Better clear the decks: this one could swallow a few hundred weekends.

PEDAL POWER Worried your kids are turning into vididiots and couch potatoes? Looking for fun ways to exercise? Simply hook up any PlayStation to a CycleFX, available in July at cyclefx.com The $300-to-$500 exercise bike works as a controller for about 45 racing games for PlayStation and three for PlayStation2. The faster you pedal, the farther your car or speedboat travels. Who needs PowerBars when your pride is at stake?

–By Chris Taylor/Los Angeles