Namco Bandai Stacks The Deck With Culdcept Saga

March 14, 2007

NAMCO BANDAI STACKS THE DECK WITH
CULDCEPT SAGA

Cult-Hit Trading Card and Board
Game Fuse to Create a Unique and Addictive Experience

Leading video games developer and
publisher NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. announced today that Culdcept™ SAGA
will be released this Summer for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment
system from Microsoft and feature online competitive gameplay via Xbox Live®.
The latest entry to the popular card battle series, Culdcept SAGA combines the
thrilling luck and strategy of a board game with the depth of a trading card
game to create a unique twist on traditional turn-based play. An original
storyline developed by one of Japan’s premiere sci-fi writers adds RPG-style
elements that offer an enriching experience any player can enjoy.

Culdcept SAGA follows the journey of
a princess and unlikely hero trying to bring peace back to their beleaguered
country and free the land from the evil tyranny of their vicious adversaries.
Summoning beasts of great power and skill, these adventurers will attempt to
control strategic locations on the battlefield until all areas are freed from
their enemies’ influence.

“Namco Bandai is proud to bring such
a unique concept to the Xbox Live community.” said Makoto Iwai, Executive Vice
President and COO of NAMCO BANDAI Games. “It’s the perfect blend of classic
board games and modern competitive trading cards in one beautiful package!”

In Culdcept SAGA, individuals known
as Cepters move around a game board by the roll of the dice, using magical cards
to call upon creatures and cast spells to occupy each area they encounter. Using
alluring cards designed by Japan’s top illustrators, players can customize
different decks to assist in their struggle for territorial dominance. As they
maneuver their way around the board and land on occupied properties, opponents
can opt to pay a fee for their brief stay or attack the guarding creature to
inhabit the zone. Players can fortify their decks and develop strategies in
single player mode, then apply those tactics against up to 3 friends on Xbox
Live or on a single console. Gamers can further modify the game with their own
unique style when they alter their characters’ appearances using parts won
during matches, providing a distinctive experience for every personality.