SUMTHING
ELSE MUSIC WORKS ANNOUNCES THE FIRST DVD RELEASE OF A GAME SOUNDTRACK FOR RISE
OF NATIONSTM
Sumthing Else Music Works, Inc., through their
continuing game soundtrack partnership with Microsoft Game Studios, is pleased
to announce their latest release: “Rise of NationsTM” Original Game
Soundtrack, the first game soundtrack to be released on DVD in Dolby Digital 5.1
and DTS (Digital Theater Sound) 5.1 surround sound.
The soundtrack will be manufactured and
released to stores in the U.S. through legendary producer and artist Nile
Rodgers’ Sumthing Else Music Works record label on June 24, 2003, under their
existing licensing agreement with Microsoft Game Studios. Sales, retail
marketing and distribution of the soundtrack will be facilitated through
Sumthing Distribution, another Nile Rodgers company.
“Rise of Nations” is a new real-time strategy game
from acclaimed game maker Brian Reynolds, designer of PC game classic
“Civilization II.”. The game, which ships in North America on May 20, 2003,
blends the epic scope and depth of turn-based gaming with the pulse-pounding
thrill and speed of real-time strategy games. “Rise of Nations” brings to life
6,000 years of history from the ancient age to the information age — not just in
warfare but in city building, trade and diplomacy. Despite the long timeline in
the game, “Rise of Nations” is designed with the casual audience in mind by
allowing gamers to move through the game quickly.
Veteran Composer and Producer Duane Decker
describes the soundtrack as a combination of world music with unique cinematic
music styles that will transport the listener to various locales around the
world. It features some very expressive performances on rare, ethnic
instruments and mixes in modern elements to form an intriguing musical world
tour. Nile Rodgers, Executive Producer of the Rise of Nations soundtrack and
CEO of Sumthing, adds that "Every time I hear this
score in the 5.1 format I feel like a world traveler sensing cultural nuances
panoramically. The 360 degree musical trip immediately transports me back to the
game experience. However, as much as I love the game, just listening to the
music through my home theater system is an experience unto itself."
The “Rise of Nations” Original Game Soundtrack
DVD will, in addition to the Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 versions, also
contain the original in-game stereo mix and the Rise of Nations opening cinema,
and other features not available in the game including nine bonus music tracks
and an interview with Duane Decker (Composer & Producer of the Rise of Nations
score) and Nile Rodgers with photos of Nile and Duane. The “Rise of Nations”
Original Game Soundtrack DVD can be played on any DVD player and on the Xbox
with a DVD remote. The DTS version is preferred by audiophiles for its higher
sonic fidelity but will only play back on DTS equipped systems.
Nile Rodgers is very excited about this first
DVD release, particularly in light of their previous major soundtrack successes,
“HaloTM: Combat Evolved” and “Age of MythologyTM.”
Also, in keeping with the partnership’s commitment to excellence and
consistently enhancing the overall gaming experience, Nile sees “Rise of
Nations” as the first in an expanding line of game soundtracks that will be
produced and manufactured in the Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 surround sound
formats. “This will become the new standard for future XBoxTM video
game system and PC game soundtrack releases.”
Award winning record producer Nile Rodgers is
one of the most prolific music producers in history. Nile’s production
accomplishments include such diverse artists as Diana Ross, Madonna, David
Bowie, Duran Duran, The B52’s, David Lee Roth, Grace Jones, Mick Jagger and many
more. Records produced by Nile Rodgers have sold well over 100 million
worldwide. As a founding member of the perennial Rhythm & Blues dance band,
Chic, Nile co-wrote many of its big
hits including "Le Freak" and "Good Times", as well as "We Are Family" for
Sister Sledge. In addition to records, he has also scored or produced music for
numerous films, including "Coming to
America," "Thelma and Louise," "The Flintstones," "Beverly Hills Cop" and "Rush
Hour II" as well as a variety of television shows and commercials. Nile
is a board member of several organizations including the National Association of
Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS).
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 “Flight
Simulator, “Age of Empires®” 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™.”
The information contained in this press release
relates to prerelease products that may be substantially modified before their
first commercial release. Accordingly, the information may not accurately
describe or reflect the products when first commercially released. This press
release is provided for informational purposes only, and Microsoft makes no
warranties, express or implied, with respect to this press release or the
information contained in it.
Microsoft, Age of Empires, Age of Mythology, Halo,
Project Gotham Racing, Rise of Nations, Xbox and Zoo Tycoon are either
registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United
States and/or other countries, and are used under license from Microsoft.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned
herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
