Age of Mythology" Catapults to
Top-Selling Rank
Consumer
Excitement Solidifies Game’s Status as One of Year’s Major Entertainment
Releases
REDMOND, Wash. – Dec. 17, 2002 – It’s official: "Age
of Mythology™" is a runaway hit with consumers this holiday season, earning
top honors as the best-selling PC game based on retailer revenue in its first
three full weeks of release.*As a top entertainment release this holiday season, "Age of Mythology" is
backed by a multimillion-dollar global marketing campaign. The efforts include
a movie-style trailer being showcased in Loews Cineplex Entertainment Corp.
theaters nationwide, which offers consumers a chance to win a trip for two to
Greece. After little more than a month’s availability on store shelves, "Age
of Mythology" has garnered more than 30 magazine covers worldwide and has seen
consumers flock to its state-of-the-art technology, groundbreaking visual
effects and epic story line through Greek, Egyptian and Norse mythologies.
"Age of Mythology" is the latest extension of Ensemble Studios and Microsoft’s
blockbuster "Age of Empires®" series that has now sold more than 11 million
licensed units worldwide and garnered countless industry awards.
"We heard fantastic enthusiasm from gamers surrounding last month’s ‘Age of
Mythology’ launch, and the continued excitement for this game has been
rewarding for all of us involved in its creation," said Bruce Shelley, senior
designer at Ensemble Studios. "Early signs show that ‘Age of Mythology’ is the
most popular installment in the ‘Age’ series to date and is the must-have PC
game for this holiday."
About "Age of Mythology"
"Age of Mythology" envelops players in a world where heroes battle
mythological creatures and gods meddle in the lives of mortal men. Survival is
ensured by harnessing the powers of Greek, Norse and Egyptian gods and more
than 40 mythological creatures, such as Cyclopes and Minotaurs. Lush cinematic
scenes take "Age of Mythology" players on an epic journey of heroism, action
and excitement as they delve into an immense 3-D world that features realistic
sunlight shimmering across beautiful oceans and verdant forests. Varied game
modes and settings suit fans of all ages and experience levels.
Availability "Age of Mythology" is available for an estimated retail price of $54.95
(U.S.)** and is rated "Teen."
About Ensemble Studios
Ensemble Studios (http://www.ensemblestudios.com/)
is one of the world’s premier entertainment software developers. Ensemble
Studios is best known for its blockbuster "Age of Empires" game series, which
has sold over 11 million licensed copies worldwide. The "Age of Empires"
franchise has received wide recognition for excellence, including multiple
Best Game of the Year awards. Ensemble’s titles are distinguished by the
highest-quality art and gameplay dynamics applied in familiar historical
settings and appeal to hard-core gamers and mass audiences. Ensemble Studios
is based in Dallas, Texas.
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games
for the PC, Xbox™ video game system and online platforms. Comprising a network
of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative
and diverse game portfolios for the PC (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 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.
*
NPDTechworldSM, three-week period from Nov. 3, 2002, to Nov. 23, 2002. Based
on total U.S. retail sales.
** Actual retail prices may vary.
Microsoft,
Age of Mythology, Age of Empires, Xbox, 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.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on
Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft® Web page at
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information
pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of
publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance,
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