TRI SYNERGY ANNOUNCES PORT ROYALE HAS SET SAIL IN U.S.

New Empire-Building RTS for the PC Leaves Port for Retail Outlets Nationwide

Boston, MASS – June 5, 2003 – Tri Synergy and Ascaron Entertainment announced that Port Royale, the empire-building, real-time strategy PC game, which allows players to become traders, buccaneers or pirates, has shipped in the U.S. Port Royale introduces gaming fans to the excitement of the lifestyles and civilizations of the 16th and 17th century, and immerses gamers in the historical rivalries and fragile relationships commonly held between yesteryear’s village commoners.

Providing gamers with over 4,000,000 square miles to work with, Port Royale offers an expansive environment in which players can choose to represent one of four nations; England, France, Spain or Holland. PC gamers will face immediate challenges as they embark on a Port Royale journey and make their selection to become an adventurous buccaneer, plundering and seizing their enemies’ villages, a trader, attempting to amass a dominant fleet and striking against local pirates, or as a pirate, constantly observing the environment to identify the next significant heist opportunity.

“Port Royale presents PC gamers with a plethora of gameplay options and scenario outcomes,” said Shane Nestler, executive vice president of Tri Synergy. “Players will quickly learn that Port Royale has a deep and rich storyline. One must work diligently to conquer and overcome weaker enemies in order to eliminate the possibility of future competition, yet, a player’s intelligence and careful observations can make or break a successful journey just as easily.”

Without question, Port Royale is about adventure, exploration and sea battles. However, as life in the real world suggests, happiness in the “New World” is not attained by money and power alone. As player’s progress through the various levels and obstacles encountered in Port Royale, it is crucial to keep a close eye on the ever-changing political events that take place over the course of gameplay and, in response, make decisions accordingly. The unwary gamer will become all too aware of such political circumstances when sailing into a once friendly port and suddenly become confronted with a hail of artillery from the village fortifications. - more - Port Royale, with its countless exciting missions, “pick up and play” tutorial mode and a multiplayer option that supports up to 8 people via LAN or internet, is certainly prepared to set sail directly to the top of the RTS genre.

The game is now available on store shelves for an MSRP of $29.99.

# # #