Ascaron Entertainment provides a Letter of Marque to Tri Synergy Inc. for the North American Territory. "They think we are pirates, friend Dominique, who will do anything for a reward. They are so wrong. I am not a pirate-- I am a corsair, a privateer!" (Jean Lafitte) Dallas, TX – July 6, 2004 – Ascaron Entertainment and Tri Synergy, Inc., today announced a North American distribution partnership for the Ascaron Entertainment designed PC title, Port Royale 2. A 16th and 17th Centuries Sea based, real time strategy game full of pirates, pillaging, plundering, you can even control the expansion of the New World. Port Royale, on the Island of Jamaica once known as the “Wickedest City on Earth,” was soon to become one of the busiest and most economically important English ports in the Americas. Originally, Port Royale was designed as a defensive fortification to guard the entrance to the harbor. Certain geographical traits: located within a well-protected harbor; a flat topography; deep water close to shore allowed large ships to be serviced, loaded and unloaded; would put it on the fast track as a capital of commerce. Captains, merchants, and craftsman seeking to take advantage of the trading and other opportunities established themselves in Port Royale. This fact along with the vast amount of goods and raw materials that the trades network brought in and out of Port Royale caused the city to be the mercantile center of the Caribbean. (Spanish Main) The English, Spanish, French and Dutch rulers weren’t the only ones to use the Spanish Main to increase their wealth. 2ooo of it’s inhabitants, nearly half of Port Royale’s population, took part in the officially sanctioned practice of privateering, or worse, piracy, in an effort to increase their personal wealth or to create an independent republic where they could rule or use as a base to plunder other nations. Port Royale 2 is the sequel to the successful trade simulation game, Port Royale, (released in over 15 languages worldwide!). The team behind Port Royale 2 is led by experienced lead programmer Bernd Ludewig (of the legendary “Der Patrizier” fame) and Daniel Dumont, project manager and concept author (of both the Patrician and Port Royale series!). Port Royale 2 An adventurous trader in the Caribbean during the 17th Century; trade with over 60 towns and create your own production facilities. Increase your trading empire, and influence development of the New World. Trade is not everything though: pirates and military fleets threaten your trade convoys. Build and command escort ships for the convoys. Turn the tides and hunt for pirates or capture the military ships. Become famous and expand your own fleet as well as your stocks of goods. If that is not enough, take on missions for merchants, diplomats and other characters. Use a letter of Marquee to gain the most desirable missions of the vice-kings; to attack and conquer enemy towns. As a sign of gratitude you will be awarded land, to be used later for the building and growth of your own towns. There are numerous ways to command and engage in battles: Decide which ships you take into battle, and which ships to send on escort duty. Protect your merchant ships with battleships; Sink, plunder or capture your enemies’ ships. Plan and Command Sea or land based attacks on the towns of your foes, or even your friends. An updated Interface with clear icons, created with care and attention, will provide an easy to use interface that every player will be able to pick up, even with a game of this depth. Overview

New and improved sea battles using modern 3D Graphic Technology, including stunning ships, damage display, new water transparencies and underwater life

Huge game world with 4 nations and 60 towns

Construct production facilities, houses and special function buildings to help your towns flourish

Set up cartels and exploit your position

Create your own towns and grow them into powerful ports

Stronger consequences of war (towns can be conquered)

Introductory scenarios to describe all important features of the game

8 special scenarios for a quick and easy start in the world of Port Royale 2

Open ended game with endless detail and game depth

Complete more missions and gain more wealth, property, land and enemies!

16 different ship-types, including types specific to certain nations and pirates

Port Royale 2 will release in September of 2004! About ASCARON ENTERTAINMENT: Ascaron Entertainment GmbH, based in Gütersloh, in the north of Germany has been developing entertainment software on various formats since its inception in 1991. One of the oldest developer-publisher companies in Europe, Ascaron is privately owned. The senior management of Ascaron has over 100 years of game industry experience, and all remain avid game players. Currently, Ascaron is focused on delivering high-end RTS, Simulation and Action titles for the PC market that will entertain the more discerning consumer with many hours of in-depth game play. Previous successes include The Patrician (1992), Elizabeth I (1996), the Anstoss football management brand (throughout the 1990s), and Port Royale (2002). The UK subsidiary, Ascaron Entertainment (UK) Ltd is based in the West Midlands and is responsible for launching and developing the Ascaron product range overseas. About Tri Synergy, Inc.: Founded in Dallas, TX in 1996, Tri Synergy is a computer and video game co-publishing company offering software developers an indispensable alternative to traditional affiliate label and licensing programs. Tri Synergy actively encourages the creative process by relieving the developer of the time constraints inherent in managing the business factions of publishing a successful software title. Tri Synergy coordinates every key step for the developer including sales services, distribution, vendor relations, marketing, public relations, manufacturing, packaging, inventory management, fulfillment and more. Notable recent releases are, among others, Anarchy Online, The Longest Journey and Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project. www.trisynergy.com

Port Royale 2 Trailer (80.8MB)