January 8, 2004 – Pittsburgh, Pa - Once again eGenesis Games raises the benchmark of design expectations through their critically acclaimed game, “A Tale in the Desert: The Second Telling”. Today they release a set of fundamental game play features that is written and architected entirely by the top players from the first version of the game.

“To my knowledge no game has made designing future game play elements a task that is entrusted to top players. I have always known our player base to be smart and creative. After playing this test I can honestly say that their design is brilliant,” beams eGenesis founder, Andrew Tepper. “I am astounded and cannot wait to see what The Second Telling players come up with.”

“A Tale in the Desert” is a unique MMORPG, for it contains no combat. It is not a competitive game but a cooperative one that depends upon the players to forward the story. The story of The Stranger who challenges The Pharaoh is a simple one: The Pharaoh boasts they have created the perfect society – The Stranger tasks Pharaoh and his people to prove this claim. Through a series of 49 tests in 7 schools of learning, players build, create, and grow the society. Tasks include using spatial relationships, the creation of art, leadership training, exploration, physical challenges, mathematical skills, and the playing of games. Each player chooses his/her own path and works to complete the tests accordingly. A “tale” or a “telling” is the completion of The Stranger’s challenge of all 49 tests and is intended to last around 6 months.

In the first game of its kind, it is the players that develop the rules, features, content, and style of the game. Through the unique game feature of Law Making; players first propose a law, then all players have an opportunity to vote on and ratify the law. After which, the developers create the code to modify the game.

“A Tale in the Desert, the Second Telling” one of the very few MMORP games that can be played on any one of the three major platforms, Windows, Linux and Macintosh. Players may play “A Tale in the Desert: The Second Telling” without the use of a credit card, for 24 hours of in-game time - after which they will be asked to provide a credit card and $13.95 for month-to-month play.

For the free downloads for Windows, Linux and/or Macintosh go to: http://www.atitd.com