Koch signs Sacred

SACRED - A NEW CHAPTER IN THE ROLE PLAY GAME BOOK WEST MIDLANDS, England (October 2003) - ASCARON ENTERTAINMENT introduces players to a brand new blend of classic Role Play Gaming (RPG) in their latest PCCD release - SACRED. Offering a vast array of features, including never seen before player characters, over three hundred active non player characters, combat whilst riding a steed and the ability to combine several combat moves into a devastating single one-click action. All of these features and many more are enveloped within a richly detailed world, full of danger and adventure. Releasing Q1 2004, SACRED will be exclusively distributed in the UK by KOCH MEDIA. SACRED challenges many of the known conventions of PC role-play gaming. Emphasis is placed on the six player characters, each having their own unique skills and abilities, along with a different in-game starting point and storyline to introduce them. Of the six characters, the Gladiator (close combat fighter), Wood Elf (ranged weapons) and Dark Elf (martial arts assassin) are the typical RPG characters. SACRED introduces the Seraphim (mystical angel), Battle Mage (hard hitting magician with both swords and spells) and the Vampiress (knight by day, blood-thirsty vampire by night). SACRED does not limit the player's appetite for exploration and discovery. Over 70% of the kingdom of Ancaria is free to explore, straight from the start, with the remainder being unlocked further into the interactive story. The kingdom is huge, with over sixteen different regions, each containing many settlements, villages and towns. Each town features sub quests, with over two hundred to complete, intertwined within a central quest of over thirty main missions. SACRED brings many new game play features to the RPG genre. Players are able to create 'combos' - groups of attacks, spells and abilities, which can be linked together into one overwhelmingly powerful sequence. Creating the combo requires the player to 'study' with a skill master; once trained they present a force to be reckoned with. Players are also able to take to the saddle; riding a steed across the great expanses and also into combat, attacking from horseback. Throughout the towns and villages, merchants offer their services, selling weapons and armour. In addition, blacksmiths are able to re-forge existing weapons and armour, increasing their potential by adding extra strength, speed and other bonuses. Magical amulets and rings can also be forged into weapons, giving weapons a range of mystical attacks. Over two thousand items of weaponry and armour are available, some specific to the player's character. The kingdom of Ancaria is presented in richly detailed rendered 2D backgrounds, whilst the motion-captured game characters are in fully animated in 3D. Set against the player are the forces of darkness, from typical human thieves and robbers, wolves and bears, to vicious orcs and terrifying, undead zombies and ghouls. Giants, demons and dragons make Ancaria a far from peaceful place. SACRED is published and developed by ASCARON ENTERTAINMENT. Exclusively distributed in the UK by KOCH MEDIA, the game will launch on PC CD ROM for Windows PC's Q1 2004. For additional information, visit the official SACRED website at: http://www.ascaron.com/gb/gb_sacred/gb_sacred_frameset_ie.html FEATURE SUMMARY * Six uniquely playable characters, differing in fighting style, special skills, magic and character design. Each character has a unique world start point. * Freedom of exploration! More than 70% of the world is open to exploration at the beginning of the game. The remaining 30% gets unlocked as the story progresses. 16 different regions including forestland, ice-covered landscapes, mountains, deserts, catacombs, and much more. * An epic story line with over 30 main missions and 200 sub-quests, plus additional bonus quests for the more determined adventurer. * Up to four combat moves and magic abilities can be combined freely to one-click-actions for individual tactical game play (plays like a fighting game combo). * Over 300 named non player characters to interact with, each with their own re-active conversation and purpose. * Horseback combat - Strike down enemies with close-combat, ranged weapons and magic attacks whilst in the saddle. * Over 2500 weapons - many of which can be combined and are unique to the player's character. In addition, the 'Smithing System' allows players to individualise weapons and armour, upgrading them to a more devastating level. * Two multiplayer game modes include both Internet and LAN support for up to 16 players. Minimum Specifications Windows 98/ME/2000/XP 128MB RAM Pentium III 800MHz or equivalent Directx8.1 compliant graphics card with T&L support 1GB Free Hard Disk Space Recommended Specifications Windows 98/ME/2000/XP 256MB RAM Pentium III 1GHz and above or equivalent DirectX9.0 Graphics Card with 64MB RAM 1GB Free Hard Disk Space