PLAINFIELD, Ill. � October 11 � Eagle Games, Inc., today announced its plans to develop and publish the board game version of the soon-to�be-released PC game, Age of Mythology®. The most recent title in the phenomenally successful Age of Empires®franchise, Age of Mythology is being developed by Ensemble Studios and will be published by Microsoft® Game Studios.
The Age of Empires franchise has sold more than 10 million units to date and includes: Age of Empires, Age of Empires Expansion Pack: The Rise of Rome, Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings™ and Age of Empires II: The Conquerors Expansion, as well as packaged sets of those games.
"Microsoft Game Studios and Ensemble Studios are industry icons with a proven commitment to developing and publishing award-winning PC games," Glenn Drover, president and head designer at Eagle Games said. "Eagle Games will incorporate the free-flowing gameplay of the PC version of Age of Mythology in this unique board game and create the experience dedicated 'Age' fans expect."
"As a board game designer and avid board game player, I think a board game version of Age of Mythology is a natural extension for the PC product," Bruce Shelley, senior designer and founder of Ensemble studios said. "The strategic gameplay translates easily, and the mythological elements will offer a unique experience for board gamers."
The board game will feature hundreds detailed miniature plastic pieces representing mythic creatures, gods, heroes and armies from Greek, Egyptian, and Norse mythology. Additionally the game will contain a stunning, gigantic 46" x 36" game board featuring the artwork of Paul Niemeyer, and three sets of rules from basic to advanced. These elements will immerse players in the excitement, flavor and visual appeal of this classic series, while providing fast, fun game play.
Age of Mythology: The Boardgame is currently scheduled for an April, 2003 release, and will be available from many fine retailers that carry boardgames and computer games.
Assets and reviews of current products may be viewed on the company's website: www.eaglegames.net
About Eagle Games
Eagle Games is an emerging leader in the boardgame industry, specializing in historical strategy games and a new line of boardgame versions of popular computer strategy games. The first in the series, Sid Meier's Civilization: The Boardgame is considered an instant classic. Eagle Games is based in Plainfield, Illinois.
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://zone.msn.com/), the official games channel for the MSN® network and home to such hits as "Bejeweled" and "OutSmart the official games channel for the MSN® network and home to such hits as "Bejeweled" and "OutSmart".
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 10 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.
