Empire Interactive extends relationship with Microsoft Game Studios

Bolstering its hugely successful Xplosiv range and further cementing the relationship with Microsoft Game Studios, Empire has announced the imminent budget release of four critically acclaimed PC titles.

With cumulative sales in excess of two million, Empire is confident that the pre-Christmas release of Zoo Tycoon, Train Simulator, Combat Flight Simulator 2 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 will add significant value to its budget software range in the UK.

Empire Interactive's CEO, Ian Higgins, stated: "We believe our Xplosiv range will be considerably strengthened by these new additions from Microsoft. We have built up a strong alliance with Microsoft over the past few years and are delighted that our on-going partnership allows us to offer consumers some of the strongest brand names available for the Christmas market."

Established in 2000, Empire's Xplosiv budget brand publishes award winning and critically acclaimed software on both PC and PS2, utilising partnerships with Sega, Ubisoft, Taito, Activision, Microsoft, Vivendi and CDV. The label has successfully published over 300 PC titles and 30 PS2 titles to date, and plans to launch the service in North America at the end of the year.

The four new releases bring the total of Microsoft Game Studios products published by Xplosiv to 23. Microsoft's franchise development manager, Alicia Hatch, commented: "We have a long and valued business relationship with Empire within the UK market and we look forward to seeing them top the charts again with Microsoft products."