Disciples II: Gold Edition - The Complete Experience

London, February 11th 2005 - Hip Interactive, world leading publisher of PC and video games, is pleased to announce an agreement with Strategy First, for the UK publishing rights to the award winning, fantasy themed, strategy title, Disciples II series with the release of Disciples II - Gold Edition featuring Dark Prophecy, the original game, along with 'add ons' Servants of the Dark, Guardians of the Light and Rise of the Elves in this superbly valued Gold Edition. Fans of this enthralling turn based strategy franchise and new comers will be able to experience hours of immersive and challenging strategic gameplay in the beautiful and compelling Disciples universe.

Disciples II: Dark Prophecy returns gamers to the magical realm of the Sacred Lands where four races - the Empire, the Mountain Clans, the Legions of the Damned and the Undead Hordes - continue the battle for the destiny of their Gods. A decade after the First Great War, the final prophecy continues to unfold. Deep within the crevices of the Sacred Lands, the Chosen One has emerged, fated to bring salvation to some and destruction to others. Braced with renewed faith and newfound conviction, each race must once again take up the sword for the sake of their people and the glory of their God.

Distinguished presentation, highly imaginative storyline and cast, together with a special focus on combat and managing of your units and that of unit development, presents the perfect ideologies gamers of this genre would wish for. Disciples II procures the Heroes of Might and Magic concept and adds it's very own unique qualities.

Guardians of the Light leads you into the fantastic world of Disciples II as either the Empire or the Mountain Clans. The Empire is decaying from within as self-proclaimed rulers struggle for control of the now vacant throne, and a cruel inquisition is sweeping across the human lands fostering rebellion and misery. Meanwhile, the Clans, recovering from their near-destruction, begin to reunite their tribes. They have received divine instructions, and now seek to uncover an ancient ritual that will let them communicate with their god, Wotan.

Servants of the Dark brings you into the never-ending quest for supremacy as either the Undead Hordes or the Legions of the Damned. On the dark side, the Legions of the Damned enact a plan to spread Bethrezen's plague across Nevendaar. They sense the threat brought on by the rebirth of the Elven god and will stop at nothing to steal this power for their own self-interest. Mortis and her army of Undead Hordes, however, are not to be ignored. After all, her intention remains to inflict revenge on her husband, Gallean, after he rejected her for becoming a twisted and heartless beast.

Rise of the Elves allows you to play as the elder Elven race as they struggle to reclaim their forests from the four primary forces in Nevendaar. Driven by an unpredictable god who urges them to battle, the Elves begin a massive march towards their fate. The Noble Elves rule their people from elaborate fortresses within the trees. Their queen is a just leader, preferring the path of peace for her kind. The Wild Elves have become forest predators. Their intolerance of the civilized world has reached new extremes, and they have reduced themselves to highwaymen and bandits. The thought of their race allying with another is appalling. An oracle's message, however, tells of Gallean's intentions to lash out against his timeless enemies forcing the Noble and the Wild Elves to unite their scattered tribes.

Disciples II: Gold Edition at £14.99 - offers enough hours of game play to keep you in for the rest of your life!

Features:

• Unlimited upgrade possible on all units and leaders.

• Over 200 individually animated units and over 100 animated spells.

• Each of the 5 races has a unique Saga (campaign) that tells the story from its own perspective.

• Multiplayer supports up to 4 players through hot-seat, LAN or Internet.

• Campaign editor allows you to make your own custom campaigns.

• Import/ Export leader function allows you to use developed leaders in multiplayer games or stand-alone quests.

• A New Unique Elven Campaign of 8 Quests.

• Massive Maps.

• Captivating Campaigns and Skirmishes.

• Unique Terrain Type, Landmarks, and Artefacts.

• Event Types and Modifications to the Map Editor.

Release date: 25/03/05

For more information contact Derek:

Email: Derek@hip-europe.com

About Strategy First

Strategy First Inc. is a leading developer and worldwide publisher of entertainment software for the PC. Founded in 1990, the company has grown rapidly, publishing major games in the industry and simultaneously developing its own in-house titles such as O.R.B. and Disciples II. After winning numerous awards for games such as Disciples: Sacred Lands, Kohan: Immortal Sovereigns, Steel Beasts, Galactic Civilizations, and Jagged Alliance, Strategy First continues to push the gaming envelope with its own groundbreaking titles, while maintaining its reputation as a unique alternative for independent developers seeking to market their games to a worldwide audience. www.strategyfirst.com

About Hip Interactive Corp.

Hip Interactive (www.hipinteractive.com) is a leading provider of electronic entertainment products, including PC and video games, movies, video arcade games, and proprietary games, branded as Hip GamesTM, and accessories, branded as Hip GearTM. The Company distributes all first party products, including SCEA, Microsoft and Nintendo hardware, software and accessories, as well as third party licensed video game software. With offices across North America and in Europe, Hip uses its distribution business to leverage into higher margin, higher growth areas of the electronic entertainment industry, such as licensing, publishing and its proprietary games and accessories. Hip Interactive trades on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "HP".

About Hip Interactive Europe

Hip Interactive Europe is a full subsidiary of Hip Interactive (TSX: HP). Hip Interactive is a publisher and distributor of videogames and accessories for interactive leisure. With its headquarters in Marseilles (France), and UK London office, Hip Interactive Europe publishes and distributes videogames on all the European territories as well as other PAL territories. Hip Interactive Europe is present on all the main platforms: PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox and Game Boy Advance. Hip Interactive Europe produces games based on its own brands such as CT: Special Forces but also on licences coming from the most important Hollywood Majors such as The Mummy The Animated series from Universal. (www.hip-europe.com)