Gathering of Developers to Publish Epic Games' Age of Wonders Epic Games and Triumph Studios Creating Turn-Based Strategy/Adventure Game Dallas, TX, May 4, 1999 - Gathering of Developers, the developer driven computer and video game publisher, today announced that it is once again teaming up with developer Epic Games, and will publish Age of Wonders, a turn-based strategy/adventure game. Co-developed by Epic Games and Triumph Studios, Age of Wonders features an absorbing magical fantasy world and elements of adventure, strategy and role-playing. The game will be released this fall. Epic Games is a founding partner of Gathering of Developers. "We were extremely pleased with Gathering of Developer's support for Jazz Jackrabbit 2," said Jay Wilbur, strategic advisor to Epic Games. "Gathering and Epic worked hand in hand during every facet of the game's launch. We'll will work closely with them for even bigger and better things with the launch of Age of Wonders." Set in an age of magic and mystery, Age of Wonders features 12 unique races, over 50 different heroes with individual personalities and improvable abilities, dozens of special items, and scores of locations to explore. Players must raise and lead an army towards an apocalyptic battle that determines the fate of the world. During their quest, players journey through many realms and landscapes, make alliances, gather heroes and find magical artifacts. Players employ strategic and tactical skills to command troops in capturing vital locations and defeating enemies in a variety of scenarios. "Our development board's reaction to the full demo of Age of Wonders was extremely favorable," said Binu Philip, director of developer relations at Gathering of Developers. "The game is very deep in content and is extremely well designed. Any title that can make it though our gauntlet of expert game critics is likely to be a hit with gamers everywhere." The setting for Age of Wonders is highly influenced by the fantasy races dwelling in the game world. In any mode of game play, much revolves around making strategic use of the player-controlled main race and its allies in order to overcome all foes on the map. Each of the twelve dominant races has different backgrounds and tendencies, which creates the possibility for hundreds of unique scenarios, strategies, and interactions. Races include the Azracs, an aggressive, desert-dwelling race; Frostlings, a race of small, nomadic, humanoids that dwell in the cold northern regions, and Lizardmen, a savage race of reptilian humanoids. "If Phil Steinmeyer (lead developer on Railroad Tycoon II), one of our esteemed development board members, evaluates a fantasy turn-based strategy game in the mold of Heroes of Might and Magic, and tells me it's a winner... well then, I believe it," said Mike Wilson, CEO of Gathering of Developers. "It's great to have another Epic product in our stellar E3 lineup."