Press release: 1997-08-20: Electronic Arts to Ship Warcraft II: The Dark Saga for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn

This is an unaltered copy of a press release, for use as a primary source on Sega Retro. Please do not edit the contents below. Language: English third-party Original source: The Free Library

Electronic Arts to Ship Warcraft II: The Dark Saga for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn; Top Selling Strategy Action PC Game Developed for Next Generation Console Systems

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 20, 1997--Electronic Arts(TM) (NASDAQ:ERTS), a leading global interactive entertainment software company, announces the shipment of WarCraft(R) II: The Dark Saga(TM) for the PlayStation(TM) and Sega Saturn(TM).

This new title combines fast-paced gameplay and user-friendly controls along with the distinctive characteristics and addictive entertainment found in both the highly successful PC CD-ROM title and expansion pack, WarCraft II: Tides of Darkness(TM) and WarCraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal(TM), respectively.

As in the original PC title, WarCraft II: The Dark Saga is set in a medieval fantasy environment where noble humans and evil orc forces engage in a war over land, sea and air. Players have the option to command the forces of good or evil as they encounter monsters, sorcerers, and heroes.

Fighting on either side, players assume the role of a general and take on the characteristics of the designated race. The main objective is to defeat your opponent which can only be accomplished through clever, strategic planning and quick thinking. Success will depend on the player's ability to manage limited resources including tools, supplies, and food, while commanding his forces of soldiers, allies and workers.

Electronic Arts worked closely with Blizzard Entertainment, developer of the PC title, to capture familiar gameplay from the original title alongside newly added features for the console systems. For instance, players will find all the original maps and campaign missions combined with new features such as auto-upgrade and auto-build.

These features allow console users to automatically add more soldiers and identify certain buildings to upgrade; thus freeing the player from doing those tasks and allowing the gameplay to be action-oriented. Additionally, a highly intuitive interface helps players navigate through the game and focus on the action, thus enriching the console users' overall experience.

Key Game Features:

-- Fifty two campaign missions and more than 90 customizable maps from both the PC title and expansion pack, the Tides of Darkness and Beyond the Dark Portal, respectively;

-- Full screen graphics, unlike the PC title there are no pull down menus taking up valuable screen space. In addition, the console game offers a thirty percent increase in battleground viewing area;

-- Addition of pop-up menus in lieu of a side panel menu to help describe status of selected building or unit, which makes controlling the player's army quick and easy;

-- Six new Full Motion Video (FMV) sequences as well as all the original FMV footage;

-- Expansion of military unit groups to 16, allowing players to move more units;

-- Robust artificial intelligence that counters the player's every move;

-- Challenging creatures and strategic weapons that include: dragons, submarines, archers, griffins, zeppelins, battleships and death knights.

Developed by Climax Enterprises Ltd. and published by Electronic Arts, WarCraft II: The Dark Saga will be available for a suggested retail price of $49.95 for both platforms.

Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues over $625 million for fiscal 1997. The company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for personal computers and advanced entertainment systems such as the Nintendo 64, the PlayStation and Sega Saturn.

Electronic Arts markets its products worldwide under five name brand names: Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS(TM), ORIGIN Systems(TM) Inc., Maxis(TM), Bullfrog Productions Ltd.(TM) and Jane's(R) Combat Simulations.

Electronic Arts has international subsidiaries in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, and United States development operations in San Mateo and Walnut Creek, Calif.; Baltimore; Austin, Texas; and Seattle.

More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at: http://www.ea.com . -0-

Note to Editors: Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS, Origin Systems and Bullfrog Productions are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts in the United States and/or other countries. The Dark Saga, Tides of Darkness and Beyond the Dark Portal are trademarks and WarCraft and Blizzard Entertainment are trademarks or registered trademarks of Davidson & Associates Inc., in the United States and/or other countries.

Maxis is a trademark or registered trademark of Maxis Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Maxis is an Electronic Arts company. PlayStation is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Sega Saturn is a trademark of Sega Enterprises Ltd. Nintendo 64 is a trademark of Nintendo of America, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Electronic Arts

Jeane Wong, 650/513-7702

[email protected]
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