2-D CRITTERS FIND HOMES ON COMPUTERS.

Byline: P.J. Huffstutter Daily News Staff Writer

As dawn breaks, a dark blue bird glides through the air and lands on a nearby branch. He chirps, a sing-song tone reminiscent of dolphin whistles, and looks straight through the screen of a PC.

He's cute, cuddly and computerized. The bird, known as Fin Fin, is a digital creation by Fujitsu Interactive and one of a number of artificial life forms perched on computer store counters. Whether on a key chain or a keyboard, people can now pet their PC.

``People do like pets, but they're a lot of work,'' said Patrick Ford, vice president of Fujitsu Interactive's production studio. ``Even with fish, you have to go clean the tank and make sure you feed it. Fin Fin's appeal is on the same level as having a real pet, with a lot more convenience.''

At first glance, Fujitsu's half-dolphin, half-bird being looks like nothing more than an elaborate screen saver. Yet the creature behaves like a sentient being.

Once the software is installed, Fin Fin's world breathes life, whether your machine is on or not. A large window on the screen shows the three realms of Fin Fin's home, Teo the Magic Planet: the Amile forest, the Tsubu woods or the tropical Secret Inlet.

If the bird happens to be cruising through one of these regions, users can click on the map and hope Fin Fin will zoom into view. If he's off elsewhere, it's time to sit and wait.

Use the motion-and-sound sensor - which comes with the CD-ROM - to make soothing sounds and encouraging motions. Blow the product's accompanying whistle into the sensor and Fin Fin may fly toward the sound.

Or he may not.

Such fickle temperament could make owners want to turn off the program and ignore Fin Fin. Try it. And the next time they decide to see how the bird's doing, he'll act cranky, refuse to sing and won't come when called.

Why? The program marks real time and Fin Fin knows he's being ignored. Even when the computer is turned off, the sun in Teo rises and sets, seasons change and weather fluctuates.

Spend a couple hours each day with him, however, and he'll slowly respond to the tone of a person's voice and the constant interaction. As the creature becomes accustomed to the attention, he will chirp, sing, dance and do acrobatic tricks.

The Fujitsu software, a $30 million-plus investment on more than 10 years of research, takes the human-computer interface a step further. Its core roots trace back to an artificial-intelligence effort at Carnegie Mellon University. Dubbed the Oz Project, the collegiate team worked to develop a computer system that would allow authors to create interactive dramas that simulate the real world.

The software works well with graphical interfaces, said Michael Pontecorvo, director of technology for Fujitsu Interactive. By relying on randomly selected behaviors, the bird conveys a certain unpredictability and realism.

Though Fin Fin may frustrate his owners, Fujitsu employees insist that people expect animals to be skittish until they are tamed.

``Virtual pets have become really popular, especially among adults,'' said Mary Lynn Slattery, marketing director for Fujitsu Interactive. ``We have people in the lab who keep Fin Fin on all day. It's so real. It might seem strange, but a lot of people find it soothing and a stress reducer to play with Fin Fin.''

The software, which retails for $59.95, was released in the United States earlier this month.

So far, the program has sold exceptionally well in Japan, where people have bought nearly 30,000 copies in the past nine months. And like the Pet Rock fad, virtual pets have become a booming industry.

Bandai Co. hit upon a commercial hot spot with Tamagocchi, which is Japanese for ``the lovable egg.'' Housed in an egg-size plastic casing, the computerized key chain is an electronic bird that demands food and love. Care for it and the chick is happy. Ignore it and it dies.

Another artificial-life game, called Creatures, will make its United States debut this summer. The animated critters, called Norns, hatch from eggs and depend on their owners to teach, care and play with them.

Users can monitor their health and brain activity and - shades of cloning - crossbreed them. But be warned: Ignore them and they get sick. Staff with Creatures' software developer, Cyberlife Technology Ltd. in Cambridge, England, insists 150,000 PC owners in Europe and Australia own Norns.

Other similar products include Na Software's Super Wan-Chan, the desktop dog, and the Computer Petz line by PF.Magic.

CAPTION(S):

Photo

Photo: (Color) No caption (Fin Fin0