Extension of 'Age of Empires' Franchise Brings Legends to Life In
Revolutionary New Game
REDMOND, Wash., May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) and
Ensemble Studios announced today the development of their latest PC game,
titled "Age of Mythology." "Age of Mythology," a real-time strategy game, is
set in a mythological past when heroes battled monsters of legend and gods
intervened in the affairs of mortal men. "Age of Mythology," a branch of the
"Age of Empires(R)" franchise that has sold over 8.5 million licensed units
worldwide, features a new proprietary 3-D engine enabling stunning visual
effects, animated water, mythological characters and hundreds of on-screen
units.
(Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )
Using familiar elements of classical mythology, "Age of Mythology" casts
players as ancient Greeks, the Norse and Egyptians. "Our game puts players in
those ancient civilizations where praying for luck in battle, fighting
Cyclopes or petitioning Zeus to call down lightning bolts on the enemy are
real occurrences," said Bruce Shelley, co-founder and senior game designer for
Ensemble Studios.
"Age of Mythology" incorporates Ensemble Studios' trademark features from
previous "Age of Empires" games, including a compelling economic model, a
massive army and battle system, unequaled computer artificial intelligence,
random maps, intuitive gameplay and extreme attention to detail.
"'Age of Mythology's" 3-D engine delivers an experience beyond anything
we've been able to create previously," Shelley said. The new engine allows for
impressive graphical detail in a fully 3-D environment, including realistic
terrain and lighting adjusted to produce the look of any time of day. In-game
cinematics create a seamless, story-based and character-driven campaign. In
addition, the game features incredible special effects, including fluid ocean
waves, waterspouts, infernos, lava, tornadoes, earthquakes and smoke with
astonishing levels of detail.
"Age of Mythology" will be shown for the first time in Microsoft's booth
at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles on May 17-19, 2001.
About Ensemble Studios
Ensemble Studios ( http://www.ensemblestudios.com/ ) is one of the world's
premier entertainment software developers. Ensemble Studios is best known for
its blockbuster "Age of Empires" game series which has sold over
8.5 million licensed copies worldwide. The "Age of Empires" franchise has
received wide recognition for excellence, including multiple Best Game of the
Year awards. Ensemble's titles are distinguished by the highest-quality art
and gameplay dynamics applied in familiar historical settings and appeal to
hard-core gamers and mass audiences. Ensemble Studios is based in
Dallas, Texas.
About Microsoft Games and Microsoft
Microsoft's Games Division is recognized as one of the world's leading
games businesses in four key areas: PC and Xbox(TM) game development and
publishing, Zone.com, SideWinder(R) game devices, and the Xbox video game
system. Microsoft games developed and published for the PC and Xbox platforms
target hard-core gamers and casual players. Zone.com ( http://www.zone.com/ )
is the Internet's largest multiplayer gaming site, and SideWinder is the
best-selling brand of game devices in the world. Xbox is Microsoft's
future-generation video game system, scheduled to ship in fall 2001.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services
and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company
offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people
through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.
The information contained in this press release relates to prerelease
products that may be substantially modified before their first commercial
release. Accordingly, the information may not accurately describe or reflect
the products when first commercially released. This press release is provided
for informational purposes only, and Microsoft makes no warranties, express or
implied, with respect to this press release or the information contained in
it.
NOTE: Microsoft, Age of Empires, Xbox and SideWinder are either
registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States
and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
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NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, 888-776-6555 or 201-369-3467
CONTACT:
Michelle Jacob of Microsoft PC Games,
425-707-6150, or mjacob@microsoft.com; or Brian Kemp of Edelman
Public Relations, 206-223-1606, or brian.kemp@edelman.com, for
Microsoft PC Games
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