Age of Wonders' Magic and Mystery Emerge Nationwide Turn-Based Strategy Game from Triumph Studios, Epic Games and Gathering of Developers Ships Nationwide Dallas, TX, November 11, 1999 - Game developers Triumph Studios and Epic Games and developer-driven computer and video game publisher Gathering of Developers today announced that Age of Wonders has shipped nationwide. Age of Wonders, a turn-based strategy PC game, combines an absorbing magical fantasy world with elements of strategy and role-playing games. Available at stores for a suggested retail price of .99, the game, as well as The Official Age of Wonders Strategy Guide, can be purchased directly from The Gathering's Web store at www.godgames.com/store. "Age of Wonders has had incredible support from the gaming community since the title was first announced," said Jim Bloom, vice president of marketing at The Gathering. "Triumph and Epic have delivered a game that seems destined to become a classic." The Story Age of Wonders transports gamers to the Valley of Wonders, where Lord Inioch's Elven Court ruled peacefully over all living creatures...that is, until the Humans arrived and caused mass destruction. The fall of the Elven Court sharply divided the Elves' vision for the future. Half opted for peaceful reconstruction, while the others known as the Dark Elves, chose revenge upon the Humans. The fragile balance that once existed between the ancient races including the Elves, Dwarves, and Orcs, transformed into a struggle for power and survival. The Gameplay Age of Wonders focuses on strategic conquest and victory. Gamers guide an army towards an apocalyptic battle that will determine the world's fate. During their quest, players journey through many realms, solving scenario objectives such as establishing alliances, gathering heroes, finding magical artifacts, defeating all enemies or killing the players' leaders. Players use military strategy, research, spells and diplomacy. Age of Wonders has single and multiplayer gameplay. In both play modes, gamers use the player-controlled main race and its allies in order to overcome foes. In single player mode, the player can choose one of two main characters from any of the 12 races or create a fully customizable character to lead his/her army to triumph. The single player campaign has multiple difficulty levels, two starting factions, many scenario branches, and four endings. Multiplayer games can be played simultaneously or in round robin style by via hot seat play (multiple gamers playing multiplayer on a single computer), play by email, LAN, direct IPX or the Internet. Gamers can play against Artificial Intelligence (AI) opponents or other players. Online gamers can also play Age of Wonders on SegaSoft's HEAT.NET (www.heat.net), the free online multi-player gaming service. Age of Wonders' Features: 12 playable races each with their own personality, tendencies, weaknesses, and strengths. Six spheres of magic -- Life, Death, Earth, Air, Fire and Water-- with over 100 unique spells ranging from combat and terrain modification to unit, city and global enchantments. Huge detailed, dynamic maps including subterranean areas and dozens of special locations that can be modified by terrain affecting spells. Choice of automatic (fast combat) or turn-based tactical combat. Customizable point-and-click interface to reposition and resize main map views and information floaters. Online help system and tutorial to guide players. A fully functional scenario editor to modify existing scenarios, create maps, place armies, and set goals and conditions. Built-in hero and item editors allow for creation of new heroes, hero libraries, and items that can be incorporated into custom-made scenarios or traded online. Native Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT 4.0 applications with DirectX support that allows the game to run in a window or on the full screen. The Gathering is supporting Age of Wonders with a comprehensive radio, print and online advertising campaign aimed at casual and hardcore gamers. Print ads are running in gaming magazines including Incite PC Games, Computer Games Magazine, Computer Gaming World and PC Gamer, men's publications such as Playboy and Details, and fantasy magazines Duelist and Dragon and Realms of Fantasy. The companies have also released a fully playable online demo of Age of Wonders at www.godgames.com. The Age of Wonders demo has been a top download since its release. It is the number one download on C/Net GameCenter and a top-ten download on file planet. HEAT.NET (www.heat.net) is the free online multi-player gaming service with the largest selection of games. HEAT.NET combines the best selection of multi-player PC games (over 115 are featured) with a thriving community of online gamers (2 million) and offers hundreds of competitive online gaming events and unique competitive features including the only rewards system for online gamers (frequent player points known as Degrees). While gameplay is free for all members, Premium membership allows players to redeem their frequent player points for prizes and make purchases in the HEAT.NET store. Premium members can also wager their points against one another in games of skill. HEAT.NET is the exclusive games provider for the @Home Network and the premiere games provider for Road Runner cable modem customers. HEAT.NET also operates the HEAT Collegiate Internet Gaming League (www.heatcigl.net) which features representatives from hundreds of colleges and universities in North America. SegaSoft Networks, Inc. (SNI) develops and operates online gaming services and technology, including its flagship service HEAT.NET. Located in San Francisco, SNI is a privately held company whose shareholders include CSK and Sega Enterprises. For more information about SNI please visit www.segasoft.com. SegaSoft, HEAT, HEAT.NET and Degrees are trademarks of SegaSoft Networks, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.