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FUNCOM
ANNOUNCES EXCITING PRODUCT LINE-UP FOR E3
Durham,
NC, May 16, 2001 – Funcom will introduce gamers to the action-packed sport of
jet sprint boatracing, and a whole new world of massively multiplayer online
gaming, at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3)in Los Angeles this week. The
Funcom exhibit will feature Jet Sprint MX, a thrilling boat-racing experience
for the Xbox game-console system – and Anarchy Online, the highly anticipated
massively multi-player online role-playing game set in a science
fiction-world, for the PC. Also featuring games for mobile entertainment, the
Funcom exhibit will be located in the West Hall of the L.A. Convention Center,
at booth # 2332.
Wellknown
for making high-quality console games such as Championship Motocross, Funcom’s
Dublin office is now working to bring Jet SprintMX to life for the Xbox
game-console system. Jet sprint racing (also known as sprint boat racing) was
started in the cool waters of New Zealand, about 20 years ago. The sport came
to the U.S. in the early 1990s and has been thrilling fans nationwide ever
since. According to the United States Sprint Boat Association (www.ussba.org),
these boats are just 12-15 feet long, but pack a lot of power. With V8 motors
providing 300 to 1200 horsepower in a twist-and-turn race against the clock,
you can imagine the excitement from start to finish.
Jet
Sprint MX from Funcom will bring a true adrenaline rush to the Xbox game
console player. A highly realistic water physics system, stunning graphics,
and speaker-thumping music will completely immerse every player. Breathtaking
video footage of Jet Sprint MX will be on display at Funcom’s E3 booth this
week.
Funcom’s
second title at the show is quite different from boat racing and is part of a
newly emerging PC genre: 3D massively multi-player online role-playing games.
When you log on to Anarchy Online, you enter a science-fiction world 30,000
years into the future, a game-world more dynamic than any other in the market
today. The planet is ruled by a military regime that fights the outcast rebel
clans, who refuse to obey the rules and laws imposed by the regime. Players
must choose sides once they log on to the game, and will become part of a
constantly evolving story based on the conflict between these groups.
Over
200 fan sites are already dedicated to following the progress of Anarchy
Online. The popularity of massively multi-player online games is largely due
to its highly social nature. Players form groups in the game, using each
character’s specific skills to complete missions as a team. Because these
characters are not controlled by a computer, but by other people, friendships
are often formed between the players. This makes the entire gaming experience
much more dynamic than games only guided by artificial intelligence. Due for
release on June 27, a nearly finished version of Anarchy Online will be shown
at E3 this week.
Funcom
also has a division focusing solely on web and mobile entertainment. Funcom’s
long-term vision is to build online communities where the players can access
online games at any place and location. The users will be able to play and
interact via Internet, SMS or interactive TV. Earlier this month, Funcom
released new free web-based games, Checkers and Reversi. While the games are
currently available in Java form at www.funcom.com, they will soon be part of
Funcom’s portfolio for future mobile games and can be seen at the company’s
booth at E3.
About
Funcom Inc.- As an international games developer and publisher, Funcom has
offices in Switzerland, PC development and marketing in Norway, Xbox
development in Ireland, and a new technical support and marketing office in
Durham, North Carolina. Formed in 1993, Funcom is best known for The Longest
Journey, voted Adventure Game of the Year 2000 by both PC Gamer and Computer
Gaming World. Anarchy Online (www.anarchy-online.com) is the company’s
upcoming, highly anticipated title. Funcom has had an impressive development
track record producing titles for many platforms such as Pocahontas, Casper,
Speed Punks, and Championship Motocross. With over 150 employees, the company
now publishes and develops games exclusively for the Xbox console system and
PC with a particular focus on online components.
Funcom
products are distributed in North America by Tri Synergy Inc. For retail
information, please contact Tamra Nestler, [email protected],(972) 307-1799
or Robin Frisby, [email protected], 214-827-8116.
For
more information contact April Jones, PR-manager U.S., Funcom Inc. Phone:
(919)313-4686 (valid until July 1.2001) Email: [email protected]
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