StarShift Beta Tomorrow

STARSHIFT BETA STARTS TOMORROW! MONTREAL, Canada - April 21, 2003 - The countdown is over to StarShift's first Beta Test. Starting Tuesday night, between 25 and 30 lucky gamers, who were chosen randomly from different countries, will get the opportunity to have the first public look at CODECO's newest title: StarShift - The Zaran Legacy. The beta will begin on Tuesday, April 22 at 7:00PM (GMT-4:00) and will last a few weeks. This initial phase of beta testing is a limited access test, but during a second phase of beta testing, gamers from around the world will be able to play StarShift on CODECO's servers. The beta, which will only be playable by logging on The Black Hole (CODECO's Main Server), will include all nine (9) races - Shayden, Zyper, Dakashan, Mindlis, Psyboran, Bothrim, Takmeer, Rezeich and Corvak - and will allow players to try various game types (Tutorial, Freestyle...). The purpose of the beta test is to ensure the game and server stability, check system compatibility and balance game play. In StarShift, each player will lead a race caught in the middle of an intergalactic war. This conflict involves nine different races which were brought together by the Zaran during their reign, and who all want to conquer the biggest part of the galaxy after the Zaran's departure, using whatever means they can (direct attacks, espionage, sabotage and more!). In order to achieve their goal, players will have to push the limits of technology by conducting their own research, be creative in their diplomatic exchanges, perform undercover special operations, trading, tactics and spying of other players. They will dispose of many unit and building types in varying map sizes, all created randomly. With the integration of instant messaging, chat and trade tools within the game, interaction between players will be the centerfold of this highly addictive space strategy simulation. Screenshots and other information are available on the official StarShift website: http://www.starshift.com/ StarShift is being developed by CODECO and is currently slated for release later this year for Windows® 98/ME/2000/NT/XP. The game will be available for download on CODECO's website (http://www.codeco.qc.ca/) and on the StarShift Official website (http://www.starshift.com/).