OCTOBER 2, 2001 

MICROSOFT CONJURES UP OFFICIAL ASHERON'S CALL DARK MAJESTY WEB SITE AND PRE-ORDER PROGRAMS

Microsoft today announced exclusive Asheron's Call Dark Majesty pre-order programs with Electronics Boutique and GameStop. Gamers who pre-order from Electronics Boutique or EBWorld.com (http://www.ebworld.com) will receive a new map of Dereth with a blown-up view of the new island of Marae Lassel. Those who pre-order from  GameStop (http://www.gamestop.com) will receive a poster of the Asheron's Call Dark Majesty box art. Asheron's Call Dark Majesty will be available at retail this holiday for only $20.00 (U.S) and will include one free month of play.
 
From the four corners of Dereth, Microsoft also announced that the official Asheron's Call Dark Majesty Web site is now live at http://www.microsoft.com/games/acdm. While the forthcoming storyline is still shrouded in mystery, players can indulge their curiosity by visiting the official site, which features a selection of concept art images of new creatures that adventurers will face on Marae Lassel, new screenshots, and an updated FAQ.
 
Asheron's Call Dark Majesty includes the full version of Asheron's Call as well as new additions such as housing and storage, two of the most frequently requested features. Players will be able to purchase their own homes on pre-designated locations, as well as use their residence for secure storage purposes. Technically, the expansion improves upon the original by introducing all new models and textures which will now require a 3D graphics accelerator. Regular players of Asheron's Call know that the story-line has continued to unfold monthly for almost two years. The Expansion Pack kicks off the next chapter in the ongoing Asheron's Call storyline by introducing the island of Marae Lassel. Marae Lassel is a sprawling new landmass which will contain new quests, dungeons, and treasures. The island will be accessible to all levels of players who purchase the Asheron's Call Expansion Pack.  
 
Asheron's Call is a massively multiplayer role-playing game playable exclusively on Zone.com (http://www.zone.com/) that draws together thousands of players within a dynamic, 3-D online world. Players can create truly unique characters by choosing between extensive combinations of visual appearance, attributes and skill sets. Asheron's Call immerses players in an intense role-playing environment where they must compete or cooperate with thousands of other online players. An extensive system of allegiance and influence greatly enhances social interaction. The online nature of the game facilitates an evolving and dynamic adventure inside a consistent universe. The game will never be solved because there will always be more areas to explore and quests to complete.