Dual Blades Ships for the GBA

It’s A Duel To The Death In Dual Blades(TM)
–Exclusive Fighting Game Exploits Power of Game Boy(R) Advance

Worldwide Developer and Publisher Metro3D,
Inc. and Renowned Developer Vivid Image Unleash Intense “In Your Face” Fighting
Action To Nintendo’s Popular Handheld Market

SAN JOSE, California (October 7, 2002) –
Metro3D, Inc. announced today the nationwide release of Dual Blades(TM), an
exclusive fighting game for Nintendo (R) Game Boy(R) Advance, which hit store
shelves today. Developed by Vivid Image, Dual Blades features an ESRB Rating for
“Mature” Audiences and an MSRP of $29.95.

“As one of Metro3D’s most anticipated GBA
titles to be released this year, Dual Blades definitely pushes the boundaries —
delivering the best cutting edge fighting action and dynamic visuals available
for the handheld system, as well as strength and appeal to a much broader and
mature demographic of gamers,” said Joseph Morici, senior vice president, sales
and marketing, Metro3D. “With more than half of today’s video gamers age 18 and
over, we’re sure Dual Blades is going to be a big hit with head-to-head fighting
aficionados who love a death-defying challenge.”

In Dual Blades for Game Boy Advance, it’s a
duel to the death as all-mighty immortality is at stake. Alperen, the World’s
Greatest Warrior summons all combatants past and present to release the immortal
curse or face death. Alperen possesses the ultimate prize, Dual Blades, a
mysterious sword that gives powers beyond belief and bestows the coveted
immortality. It’s a battle for challengers to gain the Dual Blades or die.

Up to two players can interact simultaneously
or test their abilities via the Game Link(R) Cable, providing intense
head-to-head fighting action. In Dual Blades players use their most intense
multiple hit combos and gruesome finishing moves to prove their fighting
prowess. Huge characters, awesome graphics and gorgeous visuals with colorful
multi-scrolling arenas provide an intriguing environment for powerful game play
action.

Players select to play as one of nine
different all-masterful fighting characters. These include: Efe – a good servant
of the Ottoman Empire out to save his country; Kanae – a sword master whose only
purpose in life is to avenge her father’s death; Brandon – an adventurer and
skilled sword fighter whose single mission is to win the special sword and its
unimaginable powers; Shin – a mysterious, dark fighter with an obvious hunger
for power; Duke – a great knight who takes full advantage to save his kingdom
with his great sword and limited magic; Jaman – a warrior from the Underworld
who wants to save his kind and free them so they can live as they wish; Nagasapa
– a sweet and innocent-looking old lady from middle Asia, who is in fact a true
sorcerer with powers to control and affect the souls of any creature; Rungard –
a black magic master from middle Europe who possesses the elemental magic that
the holder of the Dual Blades wishes they had; and Alperen – the fighter every
one wants to defeat and must beat to gain the coveted immortality of the Dual
Blades!

Players must tap into their most tactical
fighting prowess as Dual Blades features an assortment of special Power Moves
and Combo Modes, each providing different affects on an opponent. “Combo Mode”
allows the player to learn a fighter’s favorite combos and practice them. The
“Power Move Combining System” which is completely new from all other fighting
games unleashes four character- specific, unique Power Moves you can choose to
use to face an opponent. A “Recovery” feature further enhances the combos by
simply terminating your current attack early and going on to another move. The
“Block” feature can save a player’s life in difficult situations and provides a
chance to counter, and heal your character. Plus amazing hidden moves for each
character are also available.

Vivid Image, the developer of Dual Blades, is
one of the finest development houses in Europe, involved in creating only the
highest quality original games. Based in Istanbul, Turkey, Vivid Image boasts a
very talented and dedicated team of people, headed by Mevlut Dinc. Their
reputation for the past 15 years is renowned for originality and unsurpassed
technical achievement in video games.

“Dual Blades was designed with a special love
and appreciation of the fighting game genre,” said Mevlut Dinc, producer, Vivid
Image. “The game play featured in Dual Blades is influenced by many of the great
fighting games of our era, along with our own unique display of new and enhanced
fighting features, which should appeal to both novice and hard core fighting
game fans.”

In addition to developing Dual Blades, Vivid
Image has released Version 2.0 of ACTOR, its next generation game engine used as
a technology demo for Intel(R)

Pentium(R) 4. Among the company’s other
notable accomplishments over the years, Vivid Image has won several nominations
and awards for its games, including First Samurai for Amiga computers, and
Street Racer for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System(R). Other popular Vivid
Image titles include Hammerfist and Time Machine.

About Metro3D