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News Release
For Immediate Release
Loki Contact:
Kathryn Sorhaindo
Loki Entertainment Software
Tel.: ++1 (714) 585-4357
sigyn@lokigames.com
Activision Contact:
APR Jamey Gottlieb
Activision, Inc.
Tel.: ++1 (310) 255-2705
jgottlieb@activision.com
Tustin, Calif., Jan. 26, 1999 -- The next generation of the best-selling Civilization game series, Civilization: Call To Power, is set to launch the first line of commercially available games for the Linux platform.
Under an agreement with Activision, Inc., Loki Entertainment Software today announced it will port and market a Linux version of the highly anticipated strategy game, Civilization: Call To Power, which Activision expects to release for the PC platform in spring 1999. Loki also plans to launch the Linux version of the game in spring to coincide with Activision's PC release. Civilization: Call To Power will be the first game marketed for the open source Linux platform, according to Scott Draeker, Loki president.
Since the release of the first Civilization title in 1991, well over 2,500,000 Civilization games have been sold throughout the world. Civilization: Call to Power will offer more unique features than any other game in the genre.
"It says something about the potential of Linux when the first commercially-available game on this platform is the latest title in one of the best-selling and most highly acclaimed PC game franchises in the industry," said Eric Johnson, senior vice president, Activision, Inc. "We see this pairing as a natural fit -- Linux users are seeking the next level of creativity and quality in their computing experiences, and we expect the advanced tactics and leading-edge brilliance of Civilization: Call To Power to continue to drive the franchise's success."
Johnson continued, "Having creative, strategic games available on their platform of choice will enhance the experience for Linux users and contribute to the growth of that platform. It's significant that the first game Loki will bring to the Linux community is Civilization: Call to Power."
Based on its agreement with Activision, Loki Entertainment Software is porting the game from the original source code so that the graphics, action and user interface will be the same as the PC version. The Linux version also will include the new tools, options, combat and graphics featured in the PC game. It will be based on the identical story line and characters, challenging players to create a civilization of their own making through the 7,000 years from primitive history to 3000 AD.
"We couldn't ask for a better title to launch a new game line and are committed to providing an identical port of the new release," said Scott Draeker, Loki president. "From our review of the code and working with the program, we think Activision has created a worthy addition to the best-selling Civilization franchise. Linux users will be able to enjoy Civilization: Call to Power in the Linux environment with all the benefits that entails."
Loki plans to ship the Linux version of Civilization: Call to Power shortly after release of the Activision PC game. It will distribute the Linux version through retail outlets and over the Internet with pricing similar to the PC version.
Linux is the fastest growing operating system after Microsoft Windows, according to the industry research firm Dataquest. Loki announced in December of 1998 that it would bring the first line of Linux games to the market over the next year.
"Faced with increasing development and marketing costs, game publishers need to find new outlets for their products," Draeker said. "We're providing a way for developers to extend their reach and at the same time offering products to support the Linux community. We'll continue to port top-selling game titles to the Linux platform, building a solid line over the next year or two and giving Linux users a broad gaming experience."
A privately held company, Loki Entertainment Software has headquarters in Tustin, Calif. and was established in 1998. The company takes its name from the Norse god of mischief and works with successful game publishers to port their best selling titles to the Linux operating system. Loki is the first company to bring commercial PC and Macintosh games to the Linux environment. Additional information can be found at the company's Web site: www.lokigames.com.
Activision, Inc., with headquarters in Santa Monica, California, is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment software for personal computers and advanced console game systems such as the Sony PlayStation and Nintendo 64. Founded in 1979, Activision posted revenues of $260 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998.
Activision maintains publishing and development operations in the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan and Australia, and distribution subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site which is located at http://www.activision.com.
Loki is a trademark of Loki Entertainment Software. All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies.
Civilization: Call To Power (c) 1999 Activision, Inc. Activision is a registered trademark and Call To Power is a trademark of Activision, Inc. CIVILIZATION computer games (c) 1991-1998 Hasbro Interactive and MicroProse, Inc. MICROPROSE and CIVILIZATION are U.S. registered trademarks and HASBRO INTERACTIVE, the HASBRO INTERACTIVE logo, and related marks are trademarks of Hasbro or its affiliates. MicroProse is a subsidiary of Hasbro or its affiliates. This product is made and sold under license from MicroProse. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
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