If a problem cannot be solved, the Squiggle Pad gives them a clue with a short, live-action video.

The live-action video opened on a vista reminiscent of Iraq or Afghanistan.

Created by Remedy Entertainment, the game will feature live-action videos blended with regular gameplay.

The live-action video on the VHS tape was filmed in 1996.

A demonstration of the console's power delivered stunningly realistic scenes that were indistinguishable at some points from live-action video.

The Web, computer executives say, is evolving rapidly and will someday rival television as a source of live-action video.

As video cassette recorders become standard equipment in schools, more and more audio-visual companies are turning out live-action educational videos like this one.

"Schools write that they want live-action videos," Mr. Schloat said.

It included posting a live-action video on YouTube, and making the first chapter of the book available as a free digital download, to entice readers.

They were not live-action videos either, but images recorded and stored in the computer.