Microsoft's Fighter Ace, Developed by VR-1, Reaches 15 Million Potential Customers Through Holiday Season.BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 28, 1998-- Microsoft Makes Minority Equity Investment in VR-1 Microsoft(R) Corp. has big plans for Fighter Ace(TM), the online World War II air combat game developed by VR-1. VRo1(R), Inc., the world's largest developer of online-only games, today announced that Microsoft (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on "MSFT MSFT Microsoft (stock symbol) MSFT Movimento Sociale Fiamma Tricolore (Italy) MSFT Multi-Stage Fitness Test MSFT Master of Science in Family Therapy MSFT Macalester Students for Fair Trade ") is planning several major OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) The rebranding of equipment and selling it. The term initially referred to the company that made the products (the "original" manufacturer), but eventually became widely used to refer to the organization that buys the products and and distribution deals that will land Fighter Ace on over 15 million desktops this holiday season and throughout 1999. Microsoft launched Fighter Ace in December 1997 as the first "pay-for-play" game on its MSN (1) (MicroSoft Network) A family of Internet-based services from Microsoft, which includes a search engine, e-mail (Hotmail), instant messaging (Windows Live Messaging) and a general-purpose portal with news, information and shopping (MSN Directory). Gaming Zone (the Zone). To demonstrate its strong commitment to Fighter Ace, Microsoft will include the game's client software with its Game Sampler for Windows(R) 98 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). ; the MSN (TM) Internet access software; and several popular Microsoft games, including the highly anticipated Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome The rise of Rome to dominate the overt politics of Europe, North Africa and the Near East completely from the 1st century BC to the 4th century AD, is the subject of a great deal of analysis by historians, military strategists, political scientists and increasingly also some (TM) expansion pack. Microsoft will also include the software with several manufacturers' computer products that are shipping this year and as a special promotion with selected titles in the acclaimed "...For Dummies(R)" series of how-to books published by IDG IDG International Data Group IDG Integrated Drive Generator IDG Installation Design Guide IDG Internet Discussion Group IDG Inset Dielectric Guide IDG International Dangerous Goods (mail, shipping) Books Worldwide. In addition, Microsoft has converted previously committed royalty advances into a minority equity investment in VR-1, solidifying the companies' two-year relationship. The investment was made based on the quality of VR-1's games and its VR-1 Conductor(TM) networking technology. VR-1 developed the first two "pay-for-play" games on the Zone -Fighter Ace and UltraCorps(TM), a browser-based strategy game of galactic conquest that launched on the Zone in July 1998. "We're very excited about the aggressive promotion opportunities Microsoft has planned for Fighter Ace, which could ultimately result in a significant number of new subscribers for Fighter Ace and the Zone," said Mike Moniz, president of VR-1. "In addition, Microsoft's investment in VR-1 reaffirms the prominent role we have assumed in becoming the leading "pay-for-play" content provider for the Zone." "Our decision to invest in VR-1 was a smart and easy one," said Adam Waalkes product unit manager for the MSN Gaming Zone. "After working closely with VR-1 for more than two years, we know that VR-1's games and technology are top-notch. VR-1 has proven it has the capacity and creativity to develop some of the most compelling and fun online games available and we look forward to our continued relationship." Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado - with development facilities in St. Petersburg, Russia and Toronto, Canada - VR-1, Inc. uses its sophisticated VR-1 Conductor technology to create "massively multiplayer" games that are licensed to leading online service providers around the world. In North America, VR-1 developed the first two "premium" games available on Microsoft's MSN Gaming Zone, and is a premium interactive content provider for America Online's Games Channel. International distribution partners include: British Telecom's WirePlay online gaming service (United Kingdom); the Bertelsmann Game Channel (European Union European Union (EU), name given since the ratification (Nov., 1993) of the Treaty of European Union, or Maastricht Treaty, to the European Community ); Samsung SDS' Unitel and DACOM's Chollian online service (South Korea); and KPN KPN Koninklijke PTT Nederland (Royal Dutch Telecom) KPN Konfederacja Polski Niepodleglej (Polish conservative party) Telecom's World Access (Netherlands). More information about VRo1 can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.vr1.com. |
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