An Xplosiv Signing Of Kevin Pietersen For International Cricket Captain 2006

Xplosiv announced today the signing of the English batsman Kevin Pietersen who will endorse the eagerly awaited International Cricket Captain 2006.

Kevin Pietersen is an exceptionally talented young batsman who is one day expected to be the backbone of the English XI.

'I am delighted to be working alongside Xplosiv and the International Cricket Captain series,' said Pietersen. 'The games are made by cricket fans, for cricket fans, they love the game and it shows.'

'We are exceptionally happy to be working alongside Kevin with our ICC series. He will be joining the illustrious ranks of former cricket stars who have endorsed the product, including Andrew Strauss, Nassar Hussain and, Graham Thorpe. This series has gone from strength to strength and with Kevin on board it will continue to do so' said Jo Fawell, Product Manager, Xplosiv.

International Cricket Captain Ashes Year 2005 stormed to the top of the charts last year and the series is hoping to do it all over again with the release of International Cricket Captain 2006. This latest version will once again give both cricket enthusiasts and (management) gaming fans the perfect cricket management experience and the chance to lead there own cricket team on the road to glory.

Reaching the number one spot in 2005 the International Cricket Captain series once again proved its reputation for outstanding game mechanics and statistical up-to-date cricket data with series sales of over 200'000 units, in the UK. Praised by fans, the International Cricket Captain series has also received critical endorsement from former England team members. Former England captain Nassar Hussain said, 'Only guys who really love cricket could have produced a game like this.' Praise echoed by England Ashes England cricket team member Andrew Strauss for International Cricket Captain Ashes Year 2005 who said of the game, 'The amount of information in this game is terrific, it's a must for all cricket lovers'.

International Cricket Captain 2006 will also be sponsored by Woodworm, 'We are really excited to sponsor International Cricket Captain 2006, it is a perfect vehicle for the Woodworm brand, Xplosiv are dedicated cricket fans as are we' said Joe Sillett, CEO, Woodworm.

The world-class BBC reporter Jonathan Agnew will once again add realism and class to the in-game commentary that will accompany features such as:

· Player Database: comprehensive and up-to-date 2006 database featuring statistics for every first class cricketer in the test playing nations each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses.
· New world cup structure included for every four years, including West Indies 2007
· Online play included as standard
· New fixtures, including the six year test championships
· Powerplay included in One day Internationals
· The Match Screen: play and watch individual matches. Allows the player to change tactics on an over by over basis whilst selecting the highlight level for watching the action.
· Full English Domestic Season including: the twenty over cup, the county championship, the national league and one-day cups.
· Full international calendar of test matches and one-day internationals.
· The World Cup every four years including West Indies 2007.
· The Match Screen: Play and watch individual matches. Change tactics, select the highlight level for watching the action and view detailed stats and graphs of all the action.
· Transfers: Improve your squad by offering contracts to experience, youth or overseas players.
· Team Selection: Can you find the perfect team? Who's in form and who's out? Was that young fast bowler's 7 for 12 a flash in the pan or have you found gold?
· Groundsman: Instruct your groundsman to prepare a pitch tailor made for your attack.
· Playing Conditions: Bounce, wear, weather and light; vary from fixture to fixture, and change during individual matches.
· Coach and Physio: A key player injured or out of form? Book him in for a session with the Coach or Physio.
· Line and Length: Set a line and length for your bowlers. Select a full length or a bit of short-pitched stuff to get up the noses of the tail-enders. Find the right tactics to exploit the weaknesses of each batsman.
· Field placements: Study the batsman's shot graph and adjust the field to cut off their favourite stroke or catch those nicks.
· Aggression: Guide your batsman to build an innings and hit out to punish the tired attack.
· Two Player: Have you built an invincible county side? Play them against a friend's. Captain any of the Test playing nations and compete in a Test or one-day series.
· World Rating System: Rates every test bowler and batsman.
· Test match and One Day International championship tables: Take your team to the top of the world.

Release Date: June 2006
Price: £19.99
Format: PC

Notes for Editors

For further info on Kevin Pietersen visit www.kevinpietersen.com

For further info on Woodworm and its history, please go to www.woodworm.tv

About Xplosiv

Empire launched Xplosiv as a value brand selling low-price PC software in mid 2000 and PlayStation2 in 2002, proving a great success in the UK and overseas due to the group's license wins with, Sega, Ubisoft, Taito, Activision, Microsoft, Vivendi and CDV. Further information on Xplosiv products can be found at www.xplosiv.net

About Empire Interactive

Empire Interactive is a leading UK quoted computer games developer and publisher, specialising in innovative video games with mass-market appeal. The Company is one of the most established in the industry now in its 18th year of business. Its portfolio of titles include the multi-million selling Ford Racing series, FlatOut, Big Mutha Truckers, Starsky & Hutch, Taito Legends, Space Invaders 25th Anniversary and Starship Troopers. The Group's value division, Xplosiv, continues to increase its market share across Europe and has grown rapidly since its launch in 2000.

Headquartered in the UK, Empire Interactive has offices in the US, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. Further information about Empire and its products can be found at: http://www.empireinteractive.com

About The Woodworm Cricket Company
Back in August 2001, Joe Sillett and his father Bob began re-shaping an old cricket bat riddled with woodworm. The result was the first ever Wand. Convinced that the bat offered something unique, Joe used it in a club game and scored 142 not out.
Believing that cricket was in need of a breath of fresh air, he took the prototype bat to three major international bat manufacturers, all of whom wanted to buy the concept and pay a royalty. Instead, he founded The Woodworm Cricket Company. Its core ethos is innovation with the aim of bringing the magic of cricket to as many people as possible.
Having gained the full approval from all cricketing authorities for the newly shaped bat, he then approached the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) with the offer of putting money back into grass roots and junior cricket. As part of this sponsorship deal with the ECB, the new Woodworm bats are available at all major Test venues.
As part of Woodworm's commitment to take the excitement of cricket into all areas, the Woodworm Cricket Company recently became the first bat manufacturer to sponsor a Ladies side when they signed a one-year deal with the Lancashire Ladies team.