MANGA-INSPIRED KUNG-FU PLATFORMER ABOUT TO KICK SOME? Following commercial success in Asia, Iridon's manga-inspired platformer is set to roll out in Europe. February 28, 2001 ? Interactive entertainment publisher Iridon Interactive will be releasing its kids-targeted platformer, Akimbo: Kung-Fu Hero, in select European territories in close proximity to Easter. Having recently been released and/or localized for Asian territories, including Taiwan, China, South Korea, Japan, as well as the Israeli market, Akimbo: Kung-Fu Hero is already enjoying both critical and commercial success. As an example, recent figures from the game?s Israeli distributor, Hed-Arzi Multimedia, shows that the Hebrew version of Akimbo is currently enjoying a 70% sell-trough at Israeli retail. Carrying an estimated SRP of ?19.99, the UK release date has been set to April 6th, with Iridon?s UK partner, Gauntlet Entertainment, handling sales & distribution in the territory. In addition, Akimbo is expected to roll out in Scandinavian countries a few weeks earlier via Iridon?s Scandinavian distributor colleague Nordic Softsales. Release dates for other European territories are pending. Additionally, Iridon is currently in talks with a number of North American publishers, but as of yet no deal has been announced. "Considering that we are an independent publishing house, the great success of Akimbo is certainly more than welcome as it means we can continue to remain autonomous in an ever-consolidating industry climate", said Bj?rn Larsson, Managing Director and Executive Producer of Iridon Interactive. Having recently finished the Japanese and Scandinavian language translations of Akimbo: Kung-Fu Hero, the enhanced release version is expected to "go gold" within the next two weeks, followed shortly thereafter by an English demo version and an official Akimbo website launch, which will be located at http://akimbo.iridon.com. GAME DESCRIPTION Akimbo: Kung-Fu Hero is an original PC-only platform game aimed at 7-14 year old youngsters, offering tried and true platform in classic console game style, as well as a unique combination of hand drawn level scenery coupled with 3D rendered monsters and characters. Because of the successful Asian release and based on positive consumer feedback, Iridon Interactive has made further enhancements to the western world release version, which includes tweaked gameplay mechanics as well as a slight character face-lift. Utilizing his unparalleled kung-fu skills, Akimbo must help the inhabitants of Turtle Island in their battle against Fang, a misunderstood dragon who has cast an evil spell on Turtle Island turning most of its otherwise friendly creatures into evil servants. However, Akimbo is not all alone --- the friendly 1000-year old giant turtle, Bobby Bump, will sometimes help Akimbo overcome certain obstacles and traps. In addition to Bobby Bump, the shamans of Turtle Island are all over the place trying to help Akimbo collect the missing pieces of a magical scroll that has the potential of breaking the nasty dragon spell and defeating Fang. THE DEVELOPMENT PROCEDURE Poland-based veteran development outfit Chaos Works has been creating Akimbo: Kung-Fu Hero in close collaboration with Iridon Interactive's Swedish production team. The Polish developer is renowned for being responsible for one of the first DirectX games, the critically acclaimed FireFight that was published by Electronic Arts in 1996. In addition, Chaos Works was also the developer of top-down racing title Excessive Speed, published by Iridon Interactive in 1998. PRAISE FROM THE PRESS Akimbo has been receiving fantastic praise from the gaming press. The Adrenaline Vault wrote "the combination of proven gameplay elements with eye-catching graphics, a cheerily fantastic story, and a refreshing lack of gore could make this game one to watch for", while IGN PC described Akimbo as "a game that's copped the best features from the last decade's entire crop of platformers". FEATURES INCLUDE: - Manga-inspired lead character that can perform a variety of kung-fu moves including punches, sidekicks, back flips, and round house kicks that will help you battle and puzzle your way through a wealth of colourful levels. - Five boss characters with varying powers and weapons. - A slew of power-ups such as bombs, swords, Spin-o-Copter, the ability to ride Bobby Bump the giant turtle, and more. - Non-linear levels set in six different worlds, some of which are interconnected. - Battle exquisitely rendered skeleton knights, ghosts, tarantulas, living trees, rhinos, seagulls and jumping clams.