Microsoft Announces Latest Addition to the Popular 'MechWarrior' Franchise
LOS ANGELES, May 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today at the Electronic
Entertainment Expo (E3) 2002, Microsoft Game Studios announced that
"MechWarrior(R) 4: Mercenaries," the latest installment in the ever-popular
"MechWarrior" franchise, is in development and scheduled for release this
fall. Updating the critically acclaimed guns-for-hire theme of the original
"Mercenaries" title, "MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries" adds an edgy standalone
chapter to the ongoing saga.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )
"'MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries' takes fans back to one of the most popular
gaming themes in the 'Mech universe: playing for cold hard cash," said
T.J. Wagner, a producer at FASA Studios. "By combining the soldier-of-fortune
gameplay of 'Mercenaries' and the stunning 'MechWarrior 4' game engine, we've
created the ultimate 'Mech game that fans have been asking for."
Developed by Cyberlore Studios in conjunction with Microsoft's FASA
Studios, "MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries" features 10 new 'Mechs, in addition to
the 'Mechs previously released with "MechWarrior 4: Vengeance" and
"MechWarrior 4: Black Knight Expansion"; an assortment of weapons; and new
electronics packages that enhance the 'Mechs' defensive capabilities. A
dynamic single-player campaign offers players more than 40 missions spanning
10 planets. And for the first time in the history of the franchise, players
will be able to command a secondary lance.
"MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries" follows the rise to power of a newly formed
mercenary MechWarrior company, allowing players to experience a captivating
storyline that evolves as players take action during the game. Sponsored by
one of four legendary mercenary groups, the Wolf's Dragoons, Northwind
Highlanders, Kell Hounds or Gray Death Legion, gamers are challenged to decide
whether to remain a neutral party in the conflict or to accept contracts that
will pit them against one of the great Noble Houses.
Improvements to the multiplayer capabilities are among the most
significant additions to "MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries," which will include
19 multiplayer maps and two new multiplayer game types. Gamers can choose to
play in the C-Bill game, where teams are restricted by the amount of money
they've earned, or in the Mercenary Affiliation Zone games, where players
track the success of each of the four mercenary units and join forces with
their favorite one through Zone.com.
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of
games for the PC, Xbox(TM) 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 PC
( http://www.microsoft.com/games/ ), including such franchises as "Age of
Empires(R)," "Flight Simulator" and "Zoo Tycoon(TM)"; Xbox
( http://www.xbox.com/ ), including such franchises as "Halo(TM)" "Project
Gotham Racing(TM)" and "NFL Fever"; and Zone.com ( http://zone.msn.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 information contained in this press release relates to a prerelease
software product that may be substantially modified before its first
commercial release. Accordingly, the information may not accurately describe
or reflect the software product when first commercially released. The press
release is provided for informational purposes only, and Microsoft makes no
warranties, express or implied, with respect to the press release or the
information contained in it.
NOTE: Microsoft, MechWarrior, Xbox, Age of Empires, Zoo Tycoon, Halo,
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.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
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Related links:
http://www.microsoft.com
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NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO
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PRN Photo Desk, 1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840
CONTACT:
Stone Chin of Edelman Public Relations,
+1-206-223-1606, or stone.chin@edelman.com, for Microsoft Corp.
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