FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
"UNREAL(R) TOURNAMENT 2003" SET FOR SUMMER RELEASE
"Unreal Tournament 2003" Coming This Summer, "Unreal II"
Arrives for the Holidays
LOS ANGELES - March 18, 2002 - Infogrames, Inc., a leading global publisher
of interactive entertainment software, announces release dates for two highly
anticipated sequels in the Unreal(R) family of action games. "Unreal
Tournament 2003," whose precursor won GameSpot's 1999 Game of the Year
award, is poised to deliver non-stop multiplayer action starting this summer.
And, "Unreal II," sequel to the blockbuster hit "Unreal,"
will bring single-player story-based action to new heights when it ships this
fall in time for the holiday season.
"Unreal Tournament 2003," being created by London, Ontario Canada
developer Digital Extremes, is a completely new incarnation of the hit game that
has come to epitomize the gladiator bloodsport of the future. The original game
has enjoyed success as a team sport among rabid gaming fans and professional
gaming leagues since its release and Digital Extremes will continue the non-stop
mayhem by delivering a fantastic multiplayer gaming experience utilizing Epic
Games' state-of-the-art next generation Unreal Engine technology.
"UT2003" takes players into more than 30 action packed arenas, with
over 50 highly individualized characters and an intimidating arsenal of
weaponry. Digital Extremes previously co-developed both the originals,
"Unreal Tournament" and "Unreal" alongside Epic Games with
James Schmalz, founder and creative director of Digital Extremes, co-designing
both games.
"Digital Extremes is planning to blow the doors off the action genre
when 'Unreal Tournament 2003' ships this summer," says Schmalz, "The
original 'UT' has maintained a strong fan-base over the past two years and we
believe the all-new 2003 edition will more than satisfy the existing fans as
well as attract new players to the game."
Schmalz added, "The new game types, special effects, weapons, player
models, vastly more detailed arenas and improved artificial intelligence in
'UT2003' will redefine the word sequel."
"Unreal II," being created by Infogrames' Legend Entertainment,
also uses Epic's next generation Unreal Engine technology to deliver intense
single-player action. Featuring a compelling story, this sequel to the
best-selling "Unreal" takes players to more than ten unique worlds
where bizarre alien creatures and hordes of tough enemy soldiers lurk around
every corner. Between missions, players return to an orbiting ship where they
rendezvous with crewmembers and prepare for the next battle.
For more information about all the Unreal games, please visit http://www.unreal.com
About Digital Extremes Based in London, Ontario Canada, Digital Extremes is
one of the leading development studios in the gaming industry. Founded in 1993
with the vision of creating a new world of entertainment through the power of
technology, imagination and innovation, Digital Extremes is best known for
co-creation of the tremendously successful award winning and ground breaking
Unreal franchise and continues to transcend boundaries with every new game
creation. For more information about Digital Extremes visit the studio's Web
site at www.digitalextremes.com.
About Epic Games Epic Games Inc, based in Raleigh, NC and established in
1991, is a developer of cutting-edge computer and video games. The company is
best known as the creator of hit PC 3D action games Unreal and Unreal Tournament
both award-winning blockbuster hits having each sold more than 1 million copies.
Unreal Tournament has been recognized as the Game of the Year by many leading
gaming media outlets including Computer Gaming World, the #1 PC games magazine,
and has appeared on PC, Macintosh, Linux, Sony PlayStation 2 and Sega Dreamcast.
Epic's Unreal engine has been licensed to several top game developers for games
in a variety of genres on multiple platforms including the Microsoft Xbox.
Eidos' Deus Ex, which was PC Gamer magazine's 2000 Game of the Year, and
Electronic Arts' critically acclaimed Undying are among the many shipping titles
built using the Unreal engine. Prior to their 3D success, Epic Games was well
known for the hit shareware games Jill of the Jungle, Jazz Jackrabbit and Epic
Pinball. Additional information can be obtained through Epic's Web site at www.epicgames.com.
About Infogrames New York-based Infogrames, Inc. (Nasdaq: IFGM) is one of the
largest third-party publishers of interactive entertainment software in the U.S.
The Company develops video games for all consoles (Sony, Nintendo and
Microsoft), PCs, and Macintosh systems. Infogrames' catalogue of more than 1,000
titles includes award-winning franchises such as Civilization(tm], Backyard
Sports(tm], Deer Hunter(r], Driver(tm], RollerCoaster Tycoon(r], Test Drive(r],
and Unreal(r], and key licenses including Survivor(tm], Warner Bros. Looney
Tunes(tm], Nickelodeon's Blue's Clues(tm], Dragon Ball Z(r], Mission
Impossible(r], Harley-Davidson(r], Major League Baseball(r], and the National
Football League(r], among many others. The Company's Humongous Entertainment and
MacSoft labels are leaders in children's and Macintosh entertainment software,
respectively.
Infogrames, Inc. is a majority-owned subsidiary of France-based Infogrames
Entertainment SA (IESA) (Euronext 5257), a global publisher and distributor of
video games for all platforms, as well as interactive digital television, and
mobile smart devices (WAP, HDML). In 2001, IESA acquired Infogrames Interactive,
Inc. (formerly Hasbro Interactive), including its line of software based on
well-known licenses such as MONOPOLY, Jeopardy(r], TONKA, and Atari(r], which
are published and distributed in the U.S. by Infogrames, Inc. For more
information, visit the Company's Web site at www.infogrames.com.
About Legend Entertainment Legend Entertainment is an Infogrames (www.us.infogrames.com)
studio tasked with creating front-line entertainment software products. Legend's
current focus is 3D action/strategy games built using the Unreal game engine.
The studio started out as an independent game developer and publisher, founded
in 1989 and was eventually acquired by GT Interactive Software in December of
1998. GT Interactive was subsequently acquired by Infogrames in 1999. Since its
inception, Legend has created nineteen titles and has established a sterling
reputation in the industry for game design. Other Legend development credits
include the Unreal Mission Pack (Return to Na Pali), Star Control 3, and
Callahan's Crosstime Saloon. Publishing credits include the critically acclaimed
Mission Critical, Death Gate, Companions of Xanth, Eric the Unready, Timequest,
and the Spellcasting and Gateway series. For more information, please visit www.legengent.com.
Unreal is a registered trademark of Epic Games Inc., All rights reserved.
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