As he begins taking the computer apart, a sudden flash streaks through the darkened lab. In an instant, Vincent is zapped into the computer system, encountering a vast, amazing world that mere words could not describe.

At first, he thought it was just one of those freaks of nature. But was it? What if somebody was trying to eliminate Vincent? Who? Nobody knows for sure. And all this time Vincent has been alive. Not in our world, but in cyberspace living on the Internet. Exploring and learning: trying perhaps to find a way out. If only someone could find Vincent and unlock the mystery.

Maybe even figure out how to bring him back to our world. I've been surfing the Net for a long time. Started back when there wasn't much to see and it was hard to get to. Now, I can't keep up with everything cropping up on the Net. Then, just when I thought I'd seen everything, something-somebody, flashed across my screen. He looked around briefly, scribbled a hasty note, and slapped it down on the screen. Another flash, and he was gone. I zoomed in and clicked on the note.

It read: ``Help. Somehow, I got zapped into my computer, and I can't find a way out. I keep going to different places, but there's no escape. Maybe you can help me - if you can find me. I have to keep moving: somebody may be after me. Look for the clues - Vincent.''

This is the introductory screen on the home page cyber hunt, one of the many interesting games of Sandbox Entertainment features. Cyber hunt is an interactive game in which players use the Internet to hunt for and help Vincent St.James, a scientist trapped inside cyber space for the last 20 years. It contains two unique elements that can be enjoyed independently or combined for an extra competitive edge.

THE HUNT: THE Hunt is an Internet search game where players can win prizes by solving challenging riddles Monday through Friday. The answer to each riddle acts as a keyword for the on-site Lycos search engine. Provided you solved the riddle correctly, one of the 20 Web sites from your search results will contain Vincent's famous mark, usually an eccentric footprint of some sort.

The first player to click on that footprint wins a Smart Card worth up to 1000 $ which can be spent in the network Toy Store. Additional riddle-solvers get their name placed in a random drawing for bonus Sandbox Smart Cards. For a head start on the competition, join the Cyber Posse each Monday and preview the riddle before the rest of the users have their shot.

Web Chronicles: The Hunt is supported by an entertaining mystery which details Vincent's life story to the present day. His Web Chronicles provide additional clues which can help you solve the current riddle.

Vincent has a colourful supporting cast, both good and evil but ultimately needs your help to escape cyber space and return to the life he once knew. Our scientist-in-need may even call upon your personal services to complete a special quest or save him from almost certain destruction. A new Web Chronicle appears each week with another piece of the puzzle filled in and hopefully, one step closer to a way out of cyber space. Can you find him before it's too late?

There are many more exciting sites on the Net where you can play against people all over the world. There are three-dimensional chat rooms where you can assume an avataar and interact with others and explore the place. All these exciting possibilities are made possible because of technology like Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML).

E-Mail: bhavani@bom6.vsnl.net.in.