Gaming News - August 2006

Austin, TX (August 8, 2006) - Aspyr Media and Sunflowers today announced that Aspyr will publish 1701 A.D. and ParaWorld in North America.

From Aspyr Media:

These games are highly anticipated in both Europe and North America, and blew away attendees at E3 this year, garnering several nominations for ‘best of’ games in their respective categories.

1701 A.D. is a unique empire-building simulation set in the 17th century in which players are tasked with building a small colony into a flourishing civilization through exploration, trade and military conflict. ParaWorld is a real-time strategy game set in a parallel, prehistoric world, where warring tribes use mighty dinosaurs and other creatures to wage brutal combat. Both games are slated to be released in North America in the fall of 2006.

“When we saw ParaWorld and 1701 A.D. we instantly understood that these are AAA caliber titles that will challenge any PC game shipping this year in terms of high quality graphics, story and depth of gameplay,” said Ted Staloch, Executive Vice President, Publishing for Aspyr. “Sunflowers has taken great care to ensure immersive experiences for any gamer, and we needed to make sure that these titles got into the hands of North American gamers.”

Added Adi Boiko, president of Sunflowers , “We are excited to work together with Aspyr as our publishing partner for both titles in North America. We are convinced that their experience and professional approach will help us to establish and expand our gaming brands in the U.S. market. With both, ParaWorld and 1701 A.D. we are offering exciting products with leading edge technology that will set new standards in their respective genres. Therefore, it is now time to fully include the U.S. market into our global release strategy."

Below are product summaries of each title.

1701 A.D.
In this third episode of the incredibly successful A.D. series, players are immersed in the golden age of exploration and trade, where they set out to discover and inhabit new islands - islands that will soon be home to huge cities. Players are tasked with establishing, expanding and maintaining a flourishing medieval metropolis, while interacting with other players through trade, diplomacy or military conflicts. 1701 A.D. presents players with a 3D gaming world bursting with life from the vibrant citizens to the incredibly varied flora and fauna to detailed animated animals.

ParaWorld
Set in a parallel world between our world in the 19th century and a prehistoric world, where warring tribes and dinosaurs rule, ParaWorld immerses players in an intriguing and action-filled real-time strategy game. Armed with devastating weapons, commanding powerful fighting dinosaurs and controlling up to fifty units, players go into battle in gripping single-player and multiplayer action. Up to eight players can battle each other in more than 15 multiplayer levels.

Using an unprecedented unit management user interface called the “Army Controller,” players play a campaign where they get to know and play three different tribes (Norsemen, Dustriders and Dragon Clan). As they advance in the campaign, players get to play all three tribes, but in the last third of the game they need to pick the best tribe for the level they are facing. If the player fails to succeed, they have the option to pick a different tribe and try a completely different strategy. Side-by-side with 9 controllable heroes, players explore 16 equally atmospheric and dangerous prehistoric scenarios located in five climatic zones. Each level contains main quests and side quests.