Microsoft Announces Development of New PC Game from Industry Notable Brian Reynolds

“Rise of Nations” Forges Fresh Territory in Real-Time Strategy Gaming

LAS VEGAS– February 27, 2002 – Microsoft today announced the development of “Rise of Nations,” a new real-time strategy (RTS) game that will combine the fast-action of real-time gaming with the broad scope of epic turn-based strategy games like Civilization®. Gaming luminary Brian Reynolds, well known for his work on “Civilization® II” and “Alpha Centauri™,”* is heading the game’s development with his Maryland-based development company, Big Huge Games.

In “Rise of Nations,” players have the option to win through military might, using everything from sling-shots to cannons to stealth bombers; through cornering the market on key commodities; or by wheeling and dealing with a wide variety of civilizations. Unlike other historical real-time strategy games, “Rise of Nations” allows gamers to quickly play through from the Stone age to the modern age.

“This is the game I’ve always wanted to do,” said Reynolds. “I’m excited to be creating an RTS experience that covers the breadth of history without getting bogged down in the minutia. ‘Rise of Nations’ makes it easy for players to jump from the strategic to the tactical view while growing their empire. We expect this to be the start of a memorable new franchise.”

Slated to hit stores in spring 2003, “Rise of Nations” starts players in the Stone Age with a single village. Players can then quickly advance to modern times by expanding their economy, taking over as much land as possible, building a giant military machine, and working their way up to more advanced technologies. In addition, multiplayer options give players the ability to negotiate with each other, build alliances or play a game of global domination.

“Rise of Nations” will incorporate units ranging from elephants to heavy tanks, from zeppelins to stealth bombers and from ballistas to howitzers. Civilizations include such diverse cultures as Bantu, French, and Korean. Additional information is available at http://www.microsoft.com/games/pc/riseofnations.asp

For further information about Microsoft PC Games International Games Festival, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/games/gamesfestival/. 

About Microsoft PC Games

The Microsoft PC Games group, part of Microsoft Game Studios, is comprised of many of the industry's top development studios. Committed to publishing a diverse PC games portfolio, Microsoft Game Studios develops, publishes and distributes such award-winning franchises as “Flight Simulator,” “Age of Empires,” “Links,” “MechWarrior” and “Zoo Tycoon,” as well as original titles across all genres. For more information, please visit Microsoft's Web site: http://www.Microsoft.com/games. 

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.

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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.

Microsoft and Rise of Nations 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.

*Although actually designed by Brian Reynolds, the games “Civilization II” and “Alpha Centauri” were originally marketed under the "Sid Meier" brand, e.g. as “Sid Meier's Civilization II” and “Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri.” CIVILIZATION is a registered trademark of Hasbro Interactive. ALPHA CENTAURI is a registered trademark of Firaxis Games. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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