PC Lineup Mixes Innovation With Familiar Favorites
LOS ANGELES, May 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vanquishing a strange alien
race on a distant ring-shaped world, battling against the end of creation as a
Norse immortal, rewriting the world's past by prolonging Roman rule another
thousand years, or re-creating Orville and Wilbur Wright's first
flight: Microsoft(R) Game Studios takes gamers on a gripping journey through
the history of the world to distant lands with its PC games lineup at the
Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) next week in Los Angeles, May 14-16.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )
E3 attendees will have a first look at both the highly anticipated PC
version of "Halo(TM)" and the recently announced "Mythica(TM)," which uses
cutting-edge technology to make massively multiplayer online gaming a more
personalized experience than ever before. Microsoft's PC lineup also features
new titles in the "Age of Mythology(TM)" and world-renowned "Flight Simulator"
franchises, as well as the highly anticipated "Rise of Nations(TM)"
Microsoft's E3 PC games lineup is a combination of titles that will hit
store shelves this summer and holiday, as well as games that will be available
next year. As 2003 marks the centennial of the Wright Brothers' first powered
flight and the 20th anniversary of Microsoft's "Flight Simulator" line,
Microsoft plans a July debut of the new "Microsoft Flight Simulator
2004: A Century of Flight." The soon-to-be-released "Rise of Nations," a
historical real-time strategy game accessible to all levels of players, is
expected to be a popular choice when it becomes available nationwide on
May 20.
"Microsoft is committed to infusing a high level of quality into our PC
games portfolio," said Stuart Moulder, general manager of Microsoft Game
Studios. "With top-notch titles like 'Halo' for the PC, 'Mythica,' 'Rise of
Nations' and 'Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight,' we
continue to look for opportunities to showcase the strength, innovation,
online capabilities and possibilities within the $1.4 billion PC games
industry.(*)"
Experience PC Combat Evolved in "Halo"
The PC edition of "Halo" is an enhanced version of the critically
acclaimed Xbox(R) launch title. Named 2001's Game of the Year by Electronic
Gaming Monthly, IGN.com and the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, "Halo"
makes its highly anticipated move to the PC, through the work of developers
Bungie Studios and Gearbox Software LLC.
Now optimized for mouse and keyboard, "Halo" delivers a rich sci-fi
experience set against an intense battle to save the human race from
extinction. Armed with new multiplayer maps, weapons and vehicles, "Halo"
brings the battle online in a variety of individual and team-based multiplayer
games. "Halo" will be available for the PC late this summer.
Rule a Private Midgard Serpent in "Mythica"
"Mythica" is a new breed of massively multiplayer online game that uses
Private Realms Technology to ensure that players have an experience uniquely
their own in a virtual world populated with gamers from around the globe. Once
individual players or small groups enter a Private Realm, they become the
central focus of the story.
As fallen heroes who have ascended to the afterlife in the mythological
world of the Norse gods, "Mythica" players embark on an epic quest to ascend
to godhood by battling hordes of fantastic creatures or facing off against
gigantic creatures of legend, such as the Midgard Serpent. Combining the depth
of gameplay from single-player RPGs with the larger social environment of an
MMORPG, "Mythica" will be available in spring 2004.
Witness the Return of a Fabled City in "Age of Mythology: The Titans"
The lost civilization of Atlantis returns in "Age of Mythology: The
Titans," Microsoft Game Studios' expansion pack to the blockbuster game "Age
of Mythology." Players delve into a world of gods and monsters with a new
single-player campaign, scores of new mythological creatures and the ability
to promote units to heroes. Players work to influence and harness the awesome
powers of the Titan gods as the Atlanteans surface and battle their way
through "Age of Mythology: The Titans," due in stores this fall.
Celebrate 100 Years of Flight in "Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004:
A Century of Flight"
Scheduled to land on store shelves July 29, "Microsoft Flight Simulator
2004: A Century of Flight" allows flight enthusiasts to experience the history
of aviation and take the controls in 24 aircraft, including nine historic
planes. Record-breakers, workhorses and innovators -- such as Charles
Lindbergh's Ryan NYP "Spirit of St. Louis," the Douglas DC-3, and even Wilbur
and Orville's 1903 Wright Flyer -- are ready for takeoff in "Microsoft Flight
Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight."
Engaging, interactive multimedia content helps players discover aviation
history and explore the depth of "Flight Simulator" and its full fleet of
aircraft. "Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight" also
introduces an updated, dynamic weather system, enhanced and automatically
generated scenery, and detailed visual effects.
Remember When the Mayans Repelled the Germans at Stalingrad?
"Rise of Nations"
From acclaimed game maker Brian Reynolds, designer of "Civilization II"
and "Alpha Centauri," comes "Rise of Nations," combining the epic scope of
"Civilization" with the fast-paced action of real-time strategy games.
Expected to arrive at retail stores May 20, "Rise of Nations" allows players
to create new cities, improve their infrastructure and expand national borders
without a major time investment; games are quick enough to be played over a
lunch break.
"Rise of Nations" brings to life 6,000 years of history from the ancient
age to the information age -- not just in warfare but in city building, trade
and diplomacy. Players can choose from 18 nations, each with its own
distinctive national powers and special units, to use in a wide variety of
streamlined multiplayer games or the in-depth Conquer The World campaign.
Take Command of a Steam-Breathing Iron Horse in "Microsoft Train
Simulator 2"
Next year, it's "All aboard!" for the continuation of the top-selling
"Train Simulator" line. PC owners of all ages can command a 5,000-ton modern
diesel locomotive or engineer a steam-breathing behemoth from the past in
"Microsoft Train Simulator 2." The follow-up to the No. 1 best-selling train
simulation game,(**) this newest edition of Microsoft's "Train Simulator"
series charges full steam ahead with new trains, five world-famous routes from
around the globe and realistic landscapes, all brought to life with populated
train stations, moving cars and animals that roam the countryside. "Microsoft
Train Simulator 2" is expected to be on shelves in January 2004.
In addition to titles on display at E3, Microsoft Game Studios plans
additional releases in 2003, such as "Zoo Tycoon(TM): Complete Collection."
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of
games for the PC, Xbox video game system and online platforms. Comprising a
network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating
innovative and diverse game portfolios for the PC
( http://www.microsoft.com/games/ ), including such franchises as "Age of
Empires(R)," "Flight Simulator" and "Zoo Tycoon"; Xbox
( http://www.xbox.com/ ), including such franchises as "Halo" "Project Gotham
Racing(TM)" and "NFL Fever"; and Zone.com ( http://www.zone.com/ ), the
official games channel for the MSN(R) network and home to such hits as
"Bejeweled" and "OutSmart(TM)."
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) 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 NPD Group/NPD Techworld(R), CY 2002, based on total U.S. retail
sales
(**) The NPD Group/NPD Techworld, May 2001-February 2003, based on total
U.S. retail sales
The information contained in this press release relates to prerelease
products that may be substantially modified before 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 regard to the press release or the information contained within
it.
NOTE: Microsoft, Halo, Mythica, Age of Mythology, Rise of Nations, Xbox,
Bungie, Zoo Tycoon, Age of Empires, Project Gotham Racing, MSN and OutSmart
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.
For online information beginning May 12:
http://www.microsoft.com/games/press/
For more information at E3:
Visit Microsoft's booth in the South Hall, No. 1246.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
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