Macs are DOOMed! Doom II for Macintosh available at retail from GT Interactive Software; The PC's "Game of the Year" enhanced for MAC users.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 3, 1995--Macintosh users rejoice! DOOM(TM) II: Hell on Earth, the wildly successful combat/action game for IBM PC-compatible computers, has been optimized for Macintosh computers. DOOM II for Macintosh, originally developed by id Software, published and distributed by GT Interactive Software and ported to the Macintosh by Lion Entertainment Inc., will be available at retail stores in June. Shortly thereafter, a Macintosh version of DOOM shareware will be spread over private BBSs, commercial online services and internet sites.

"The PC version of DOOM II has done phenomenally well at retail and we expect the Mac version to follow suit," said Allan Blum, vice president of marketing of GT Interactive Software. "DOOM II for Macintosh offers players all the heart-pumping excitement of DOOM II, as well as some incredible enhancements such as the ability to network a Mac to a PC and increased resolution modes."

"DOOM fans have cornered me at tradeshows begging for us to release DOOM II for the Mac," said Jay Wilbur, business manager of id Software. "We are happy to deliver an awesome Mac version ported by the talented team at Lion Entertainment. And when it comes to the rivalry between PC lovers and Mac aficionados, DOOM II for Macintosh will certainly give players a satisfying way to help settle the score."

DOOM II for Macintosh offers Mac users the same stultifying thrills with its amazingly realistic 3-D graphics, spine-chilling sound effects, pulse-pounding musical score and dozens of death-wielding demons. This version gives Mac users the same intense, hyper-realistic action that made DOOM II a smash hit with millions of fans worldwide, with the addition of even higher-resolution graphics.

DOOM II for Macintosh has single-player and multi-player modes. Multi-player mode allows up to four players to either join forces for cooperative play, or go head-to-head in "Deathmatch" mode. Players can even "talk" to each other during combat, by typing comments or sending preset messages like "Look out behind you," "Follow me," or "I've got you in my sight."

DOOM II for Macintosh offers flexible network support for Mac/Mac and Mac/PC play over modem and network connections. Apple's Communication Toolbox supports such protocols as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), AppleTalk (both LocalTalk and Ethernet) for play between up to four Macintosh computers, and MacIPX for use on IPX or Novell networks. This version also enables the use of all home-made WAD levels such as those that have been uploaded to online services. These files can be downloaded and played on the Macintosh.

The Macintosh version also offers improved 320 x 200, 640 x 200 and 640 x 400 resolution. All modes are displayed on screen at 640 x 400 at 256 colors (a smaller, 320 x 200 on screen mode is available as an option). While the original functionality of DOOM II has been retained, this version conforms to the standard Macintosh interface. Customizable keys, the ability to kill the Finder (frees memory and allows DOOM II to run faster), as well as support for the standard Macintosh menu commands, mouse and Macintosh-compatible joystick are all included.

Computer game reviewers have been touting DOOM II as the best game of the year. In this past few months alone, DOOM II won the 1995 Electronic Entertainment Editor's Choice Award and Best Action/Arcade Program at the 1995 Codies - Consumer Software Awards. Entertainment Weekly calls it the "most exhilaratingly over-the-top game on the market," and Games Magazine deems the title, "King of the first-person-perspective if-it-moves-shoot-it-games." PC Magazine says "if you like your action lighting-fast and ultraviolent,... DOOM II is the only way to go." On the Internet (alt.games.doom), DOOM and DOOM II fans participate in one of the largest Usenet groups, where they trade tips, discuss strategy and share their experiences.

DOOM II for Macintosh is available on CD-ROM or 3.5-inch floppy disk. The expected street price for the title will be between $45 - $55. DOOM II is targeted at players 17 years of age and older. Each box is voluntarily rated in accordance with the RSAC's rating system.

DOOM II for Macintosh requires a Macintosh computer with 8 MB of RAM and 17.2 MB of free hard disk space and a 68040, 68LC040 or PowerPC CPU. The Power Macintosh version has been optimized and takes advantage of the incredible speed of the PowerPC RISC processor. The PowerPC and 68040 versions are shipped as a single application. DOOM II for Macintosh requires system 7.1 or higher.

Headquartered in New York, GT Interactive Software, through alliances with major software publishers, merchandises, markets and distributes software titles for computer and gaming platforms via mass merchandisers and specialty retail chains. In addition, through strategic partnerships with developers and rights holders, GTIS publishes select computer software titles.

id Software, founded in 1991, is a software development company located in Mesquite, Texas. id's team of talented developers continue to make gaming history by creating and publishing one sensational action game after another. Wolfenstein 3-D, DOOM, its sequel DOOM II and Heretic have created a frenzied demand worldwide and have managed to consistently break shareware and retail sales records at home and abroad.

Founded in March 1993, Lion Entertainment Inc. (Austin, Texas), specializes in the original development and conversion of titles for a number of hardware platforms in the software entertainment industry. The company focuses on the development of imaginative products that extend the limits of technology and entertainment values traditionally found in computer entertainment.

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