Xbox Exclusive "Jade Empire" in
Development by BioWare
Microsoft Unveils
Much-Anticipated Action Role-Playing Game at Tokyo Game Show
TOKYO – Sept. 26, 2003 – Microsoft
Corp. and BioWare Corp. today announced that "Jade Empire," a fast-paced martial
arts action role-playing game (RPG), is currently in development by critically
acclaimed RPG developer BioWare, exclusively for the Microsoft® Xbox® video game
system. BioWare, whose publishing relationship with Microsoft for this product
was announced one year ago at the X02 North America event in New York, has most
recently been recognized for its highly successful game "Star Wars®: Knights of
the Old Republic™."
"We’re thrilled that BioWare’s next
big game will be available only on Xbox," said Ed Fries, vice president of
Microsoft game content. "’Jade Empire’ is sure to deliver a game experience
that’s truly unique and exciting with our Xbox fans in mind."
"Jade Empire" is set in a new
fantastical world based on mythical China, where sinister events have upset the
peaceful harmony of an isolated martial arts school. Featuring furious action
previously found only in Hong Kong cinema, the game lets players master more
than 30 fighting styles and a wide range of mystical powers as they embark on a
perilous journey, stretching from the Land of Howling Spirits to the lush
gardens of the Imperial City.
"Jade Empire" casts players in the
role of a martial arts master and lets them choose between good and evil,
choices that will follow them throughout the land, changing the course of
interaction with other characters and followers. Developed with a revolutionary
second-generation Xbox engine, the game will offer fans a stunning visual and
gameplay experience.
"BioWare has enjoyed great critical
and commercial success working with existing world-class intellectual
properties," said Ray Muzyka, joint CEO and co-executive producer at BioWare.
"’Jade Empire’ is the first totally new role-playing world created at BioWare,
and we’re very excited about bringing the world of ‘Jade Empire’ to life."
"BioWare has been thinking about
crafting a martial arts action RPG as far back as during development of
‘Baldur’s Gate,’ over five years ago. We can’t wait to share this new world with
our fans," said Greg Zeschuk, joint CEO and co-executive producer at BioWare.
"The incredible success of ‘Knights
of the Old Republic’ proves that BioWare knows how to make an engaging RPG,"
Fries said.
About BioWare
BioWare Corp. is an electronic
entertainment company that develops computer and console games. BioWare’s
developers are currently hard at work on three major announced titles: "Jade
Empire," a BioWare-created intellectual property to be published by Microsoft
for the Xbox; "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic," to be published by
LucasArts for the PC; and the "Neverwinter Nights™" expansion pack, "Neverwinter
Nights: Hordes of the Underdark™," planned to be released by Atari in fall 2003.
Two additional untitled projects, both featuring original BioWare intellectual
properties, are also in development. "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic,"
released July 18, 2003, for the Xbox, is currently enjoying critical praise and
great commercial success with its opening weekend launch, ending with Microsoft
proclaiming the title as the fastest-selling Xbox game in history. Previously
published projects include the award-winning "Neverwinter Nights," the
genre-defining "Baldur’s Gate™" role-playing game series for the PC; "MDK™2" for
Dreamcast and PC, "MDK 2: Armageddon" for PlayStation®2 and "Shattered Steel™."
BioWare information can be found online at
http://www.bioware.com/ .
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading
worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox video game system and
the Windows® and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers,
Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for
Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games/), including such franchises as "Age of
Empires®," "Flight Simulator" and "Zoo Tycoon™"; Xbox
http://www.xbox.com/ , including such
franchises as "Halo®," "Project Gotham Racing®" and "NFL Fever"; and Zone.com
http://www.zone.com/, the official
games channel for the MSN® network and home to such hits as "Bejeweled" and "OutSmart™."
About Xbox
Xbox
http://www.xbox.com/ is Microsoft’s future-generation video game
system that delivers the most powerful games experiences ever. Xbox empowers
game artists by giving them the technology to fulfill their creative visions as
never before, creating games that blur the lines between fantasy and reality.
Xbox is now available in the continents of North America, Europe, Asia and
Australia.
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.
The information contained in this
press release relates to a prerelease product that may be substantially modified
before its first commercial release. Accordingly, the information may not
accurately describe or reflect the 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, Xbox, Windows, Age of
Empires, Zoo Tycoon, Halo, Project Gotham Racing, MSN and OutSmart are either
registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States
and/or other countries. Jade Empire 2003 BioWare Corp. Jade Empire, BioWare
Corp. and the BioWare logo are trademarks of BioWare Corp. in the United States,
Canada and other countries. All rights reserved. The names of actual companies
and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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