Cavedog Entertainment's Total Annihilation: Kingdoms Expected to Hit Retail Stores June 25.SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 23, 1999-- Epic Fantasy Real-Time Strategy A real-time strategy (RTS) video game is one that is distinctly not turn-based. The phrase real-time is used to distinguish such games within the broader genre of strategic wargames, which has a longer history both inside and outside of video gaming. Game Released Simultaneously in 45 Countries and Five Languages Cavedog Entertainment Cavedog Entertainment, or Cavedog, was a computer game developer based in Bothell, Washington. Cavedog released the real-time strategy games Total Annihilation; its two expansion packs ( and Battle Tactics); and , and its expansion pack , a wholly owned subsidiary Wholly Owned Subsidiary A subsidiary whose parent company owns 100% of its common stock. Notes: In other words, the parent company owns the company outright and there are no minority owners. of GT Interactive Software Corp. (Nasdaq:GTIS GTIS Government Telecommunications and Informatics Services (Canada) GTIS Global Trade Information Services GTIS GOES Tap Imaging System GTIS Government Technical Information Services (Canada) ), today announced the worldwide release of its highly anticipated fantasy, real-time strategy game Total Annihilation Total Annihilation (abbr. TA) is a futuristic RTS (real-time strategy) PC game, created by Chris Taylor and Cavedog Entertainment and released on September 30, 1997<ref name="Gamespot Total Annihilation" /> by GT Interactive. (R): Kingdoms(TM). The game will begin appearing on retail store shelves on June 25 in more than 45 countries, including localized English, Spanish, French, German and Italian versions. As the second title in Cavedog Entertainment's Total Annihilation series of real-time strategy games, Total Annihilation: Kingdoms quickly involves players in a pitched battle pitched battle n. 1. An intense battle fought in close contact by troops arranged in a predetermined formation. 2. A fiercely waged battle or struggle between opposing forces. for dominion over the mythical world of Darien. Players find themselves controlling one of four unique races, each with dozens of units at its command, such as dragons Amicale Sportive Dragons is a Congolese football club based in Kinshasa. Their home games are played at Stade 24 Septembre. In the past, the club was also called Amicale Sportive Bilima. , knights, trolls and giants. As the immortal monarch of one of these races, each player builds armies, hones magic skills, and wages war in an effort to wrest wrest tr.v. wrest·ed, wrest·ing, wrests 1. To obtain by or as if by pulling with violent twisting movements: wrested the book out of his hands; wrested the islands from the settlers. supreme power from their enemies. "Total Annihilation: Kingdoms truly takes the Total Annihilation gameplay experience to the next level," said Clayton Kauzlaric, designer and project lead. "We've gone to great lengths to refine and improve nearly every aspect of the original game, including the change to four entirely unique sides, a rich and involving story, the addition of patron gods, support for Boneyards Boneyards was the massive online server created for the Total Annihilation series of computer games by Cavedog Entertainment, allowing thousands of players to compete in organised battle over the internet. (TM), a streamlined interface and even more build queue options, just to name a few." Total Annihilation: Kingdoms features more than 100 3D articulated battle units as well as 50 wandering monsters and non-player characters that populate the world of Darien. Fans of single player gaming will be treated to an innovative twist in the "Campaign" mode that has them changing sides throughout the game's 48 missions, which are interspersed with dozens of cinematic cutscenes. Cavedog Entertainment has also included 30 multiplayer maps that players can utilize in both "Skirmish" and "Multiplayer" modes. In addition, Total Annihilation: Kingdoms also features Cartographer, the game's powerful map and multiplayer scenario editor, and out-of-the-box support for Boneyards, Cavedog Entertainment's new online gaming See gaming. community. Highlights of Total Annihilation: Kingdoms The Four Sides: Not one, not two, not three...but four sides to choose from. Each side features dramatically different build hierarchies and distinct combat strategies. -- Aramon (Earth): Ruled by the mage mage n. A magician or sorcerer. [From Middle English mages, magicians, variant of magi; see magus.] king Elsin, Aramon is a land of rolling hills, snowcapped mountains and vibrant cities. Players can expect Aramon to have the technological as well as moral edge over its opponents. Its units are the traditional land-based medieval fare, such as knights, swordsmen, archers and catapults. -- Veruna (Water): Led by the sea mage Kirenna, Veruna is a land of travel, trading and exploration. Colorful coral mark its beaches, and intricate fossil formations grace its shores. Players are masters of the high seas high seas In maritime law, the waters lying outside the territorial waters of any and all states. In the Middle Ages, a number of maritime states asserted sovereignty over large portions of the high seas. , as Veruna features extensive and powerful seagoing sea·go·ing adj. Made or used for ocean voyages. seagoing Adjective built for travelling on the sea Adj. 1. armadas. Veruna's ability to assault enemy shores and send forth immense land-based armies is second to none. -- Zhon (Air): A forbidding lost continent held together by the huntress Thirsha, Zhon is the refuge of many wandering monsters, legendary creatures and outcasts from throughout Darien. Rugged coastlines, dense jungles and imposing mountains make it extremely difficult to exterminate Zhon forces. Rulers of the sky, fast raids and guerilla warfare are the names of Zhon's game. -- Taros (Fire): If there were hell on Darien, Taros would certainly be it. The land is broken, cracked, and lifeless. The foliage has long since faded, the populace has fled, and once-beautiful mountains now belch belch v. To expel stomach gas noisily through the mouth; burp. black smoke and lava. The dead have risen in droves, demons Demons See also devil; evil; ghosts; hell; spirits and spiritualism. ademonist one who denies the existence of the devil or demons. bogyism, bogeyism recognition of the existence of demons and goblins. visit often, and magicians work their powerful magic in this dark pit. The "undead un·dead adj. No longer living but supernaturally animated, as a zombie. " armies of Taros and their magic-using leaders make short work of all that oppose them. One Continuous Campaign: The single player campaign features an innovative twist in which players switch allegiances as they progress through the story. In one mission you may be asked to build a structure for Veruna, but ironically tasked with its destruction sometime later as Taros. Did You Say Experience? As units engage and vanquish enemy forces they gain experience. Once this experience reaches certain levels, units grow in skill and actually change in appearance. If a player carefully manages his or her units, they will quickly find that experienced low level units can quickly defeat inexperienced high level units. The Gods Must Be Crazy: Whoa, Nellie! When one of these guys shows up, get ready to head for high ground. When players meet certain conditions during gameplay, there is a random chance their patron god will appear on the battlefield to help them. Beware -- the appearance of one almighty being on the battlefield greatly increases the likelihood of another deity taking notice and joining the fray. Boneyards Online Gaming: Support for Cavedog Entertainment's Boneyards online gaming community is included with Total Annihilation: Kingdoms. Personalized and scalable arenas for chatting, opportunities to challenge opponents and initiate multiplayer battles, a deep ladder and ranking system, company-sponsored tournaments and custom user profiles are some of its many features. The Darien Crusades(TM): Boneyards will also feature a cooperative multiplayer game designed specifically for Total Annihilation: Kingdoms. Players will choose a moral ethic and claim allegiance to like-minded factions, form houses and fight for control of Darien with thousands of other players online at the same time. The Darien Crusades will become available in a few months. Specific details will be announced at a later date. Free Downloads: Owners of Total Annihilation: Kingdoms will be able to regularly download new, fully functional battle units from www.cavedog.com absolutely free. These units will seamlessly integrate into the game and provide virtually unlimited variation to the strategic gameplay experience. Make Your Own Maps: Cavedog Entertainment's own powerful map, mission and scripting editor, Cartographer, is included with Total Annihilation: Kingdoms. Players will be able to create an infinite variety of maps and missions as well as utilize the new scripting language to greatly customize their gameplay experience. Even More Stuff: Such as new units with the ability to heal or drain; fortifications This is a list of fortifications past and present, a fortification being a major physical defensive structure often composed of a more or less wall-connected series of forts. designed to halt early game rushes; greatly enhanced line-of-sight abilities; a new full-screen radar; streamlined unit build menus; and, yes, even more... Price, Platform and Availability Total Annihilation: Kingdoms PC CD-ROM CD-ROM: see compact disc. CD-ROM in full compact disc read-only memory Type of computer storage medium that is read optically (e.g., by a laser). is scheduled to be available in stores nationwide starting June 25 for an estimated street price of $44.99. It can also be purchased through secure online transactions at www.cavedog.com, or by calling toll-free 888/477-9369. Minimum system requirements are a 233MHz (MegaHertZ) One million cycles per second. It is used to measure the transmission speed of electronic devices, including channels, buses and the computer's internal clock. A one-megahertz clock (1 MHz) means some number of bits (16, 32, 64, etc. Pentium PC system with 32 MB of RAM, Windows 95 or 98, a Direct Sound compatible sound card, a quad-speed CD-ROM, 80 MB of hard drive space and a VGA (Video Graphics Array) The display standard for the PC. All PC display adapters support VGA, and Windows machines boot up in "VGA mode" before switching to higher resolutions. 16-bit color monitor or better. Cavedog Entertainment Cavedog Entertainment, based in the Seattle area, was created in 1995 by Ron Gilbert, Shelley Day, and a team of the game industry's leading designers, programmers and artists to explore interactive gaming and create new standards of fun. Cavedog Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of GT Interactive Software Corp. (Nasdaq:GTIS), can be found on the Internet at www.cavedog.com. GT Interactive Headquartered in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , with 1997 calendar year revenues of $531 million, GT Interactive Software Corp. (Nasdaq:GTIS) is a leading global interactive entertainment software company that develops, markets and distributes consumer software. The company has seven internal development studios: Humongous Entertainment, Cavedog Entertainment, SingleTrac, Oddworld Inhabitants, Bootprint Entertainment, Legend Entertainment and Reflections. The company also has five software labels: GT Interactive, Wizard Works, CompuWorks, MacSoft and Slash. GT Interactive's e-commerce system provides secure online transactions through each studio's Web site and www.gtstore.com. GT Interactive also owns the subsidiary OneZero Media that operates a specialized entertainment portal, www.getwild.com, which acts as the Entertainment Zone on AltaVista; and produces the nationally syndicated television program "Wild Wild Web." GT Interactive can be found on the Internet at www.gtinteractive.com. EDITOR'S NOTE: Artwork is available upon request. Cavedog Entertainment, Total Annihilation: Kingdoms, Total Annihilation, Boneyards and The Darien Crusades are trademarks or registered trademarks of Humongous Entertainment, Inc. Other brand names and products may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. |
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