MICROSOFT UNVEILS HOTTEST PC GAMES LINEUP EVER AT THE ELECTRONIC ENTERTAINMENT EXPO

REDMOND, Wash. - May 10, 1999 - Microsoft Corp. today unveiled the lineup of games and gaming devices it will showcase at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) at the Los Angeles Convention Center May 13-15. >From strategy and sports to space combat and flight simulations, Microsoft's diverse lineup of games are designed to appeal to casual gamers and hard-core fans alike.

"One of our primary goals is to increase the number of computer gamers by turning new audiences on to the fun of PC games," said Ed Fries, general manager of the Games Group at Microsoft. "We've worked with some of the world's best developers to create a portfolio of first-rate titles that will appeal to all kinds of gamers."

The lineup of Microsoft(R) games for E3 1999 does the following:

• Builds on past best-sellers with titles such as "Age of Empires(R) II: The Age of Kings," "Flight Simulator 2000" and the latest in the "Madness" franchise, the "Midtown Madness(TM)" game.
• Breaks new ground with massively multiplayer online games such as "Asheron's Call(TM)," "Allegiance" and "Fighter Acer(R) II," and cutting-edge titles "Starlancer," "Conquest: Frontier Wars" and "Loose Cannon" from top developer Digital Anvil.
• Expands the audience for PC sports games through fully licensed products accessible to a broad range of games fans. The Microsoft sports lineup includes "Links LS 2000" from Access Software Inc., the producer of best-selling PC golf games and other sports games such as "NFL Fever 2000" and "NBA Inside Drive." Outside of North America, Microsoft will also launch "International Soccer 2000," designed by British developer Rage Software.
• Demonstrates the innovation and creativity in the sci-fi genre with two titles from Chris and Erin Roberts of Digital Anvil Inc., the developers who pioneered the genre with "Wing Commander" and "Privateer." Their new games include "Starlancer," a visually stunning game that combines the intense action of first-person space combat with a dramatic story inspired by 20th-century warfare, and "Conquest: Frontier Wars," a real-time strategy game set in outer space.
• Appeals to a broad range of audiences, from hard-core gamers interested in the alternative universes of massively multiplayer online games to families who want to tickle their brains with Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov's newest title, "Pandora's Box."

GAMES

• "Age of Empires: The Age of Kings"
• "Flight Simulator 2000"
• "Flight Simulator 2000" Professional Edition
• "Starlancer"
• "Asheron's Call"
• "Links LS 2000"
• "NFL Fever 2000"
• "Conquest: Frontier Wars"
• "Loose Cannon"
• "Midtown Madness"
• "Allegiance"
• "Fighter Ace II"
• "Pandora's Box"
• "Links Extreme"
• "NBA Inside Drive 2000"
• "Baseball 2000"
• "International Football 2000"

GAMING DEVICES

Journalists interested in learning more about Microsoft's upcoming games lineup are encouraged to stop by Booth 846 in the South Hall at the Electronic Entertainment Expo.

The following will also be at Microsoft's booth at E3:

• Game developers, including Ensemble Studios' Bruce Shelley and Digital Anvil's Chris Roberts, will be available for interviews from 1 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 13-15. Bruce Shelley will autograph special-edition "Age of Empires II" posters to attendees on Thursday, May 12 from noon to 1 p.m.
• Mark Brunell, quarterback from the Jacksonville Jaguars, will be signing autographs and challenging show-goers to one-on-one games of "NFL Fever 2000" on Friday, May 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Back

Main - Downloads - FAQ - Forum - Interviews - Links - News - Rise of Rome - Scenarios - Strategies - Tips - Units