iGames to Cast Its Spell for Microsoft’s Dungeon Siege II
Premier and Showcase Events for Sequel to Classic RPG to be Held at 100 iGames Member Centers across North America, Including Canada and Mexico.
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, August 11, 2005-iGames, the world's leading game center organization, today announced a special program of events to celebrate the August 16 release of Dungeon Siege II, the sequel to the best-selling RPG developed by Gas Powered Games and published by Microsoft Game Studios.
The events, held exclusively at 100 iGames member centers across North America, including Canada and Mexico, will delight fans of Chris Taylor's classic action role-playing game by not only offering them the first chance to play the game in a public forum, but also the opportunity to win limited-edition Dungeon Siege II merchandise.
The events will kick off with a premier, August 20, followed by a
showcase, August 22-September 4. The one-day premier will allow eager gamers a sneak-peek at the long-anticipated sequel, while the two-week showcase will offer gamers unable to attend the premier to experience the enhanced game-play at their leisure. As with all iGames showcases, admission is free, but due to the overwhelming popularity of such events, advanced registration is recommended.
"We are proud to be able to offer our support to such a successful
franchise," said Mark Nielsen, Executive Director of iGames. "As Microsoft continues to help define the interactive entertainment space, we anticipate that the success of Dungeon Siege II will extend its influence, particularly as a must-play title at iGames centers."
"iGames offers a fun setting for playing Dungeon Siege II," said Steve
Beinner, product manager at Microsoft Game Studios. "It's a great network where gamers can go to experience the social interaction that a game like Dungeon Siege II encourages."
In Dungeon Siege II, players will be called on to again wield sword and
spell to save the world from a growing abomination many years in the
making. A thousand years ago, the crusaders of Azunai crossed swords with the legions of Zaramoth in the final battle of a century-long rebellion.
As the tyrannical god Zaramoth struck the final blow through Azunai's
trembling shield, the earth shook. In that moment, the forces of magic
were unchained, and both armies were consumed in a brilliant cataclysm that stretched for leagues across the Plain of Tears. Only a scarred wasteland remained as final testament to the First Age of Man.
And for a millennium, magic has continued to spread to the farthest
corners of the world, freely flowing to any who would command it. But the tide of magic has begun to wane, heeding instead the call of an ancient legacy. From the Plain of Tears a new heir beckons, and with each day his strength grows-consuming all those who submit, eradicating those foolish enough to resist. With none to oppose his ascendance, the circle will be complete, and an ancient age will begin anew.
Dungeon Siege II, which hits stores August 16, is rated M, for Mature, by the ESRB, includes Blood and Gore, and Violence. It carries a MSRP of $49.99 in the United States. For more information about Dungeon Siege II, visit: www.microsoft.com/games/dungeonsiege2.
For a complete list of iGames game centers hosting the premier and
showcase as well as information about other upcoming iGames events,
including signup details, visit: www.igames.org or contact Amy McMullen, iGames Events Director, at events@igames.org.
About iGames
iGames, Inc. offers a wide range of services to help independent and
franchised game centers. iGames' mission is to promote and develop the growth of the game center industry. Its services unite game centers with the goal of establishing them as the driving force enabling the
interactive entertainment industry to become the number one form of
entertainment around the world. iGames has established strong
relationships with industry leaders to provide a wide variety of products, services and programs to member game centers and gamers including software licensing, hardware discounts, exclusive game premiers, tournaments, and leagues. Today the company counts well over 600 centers and 45,000 gamers, initiating and co-organizing more than 200 events a year. To learn more about iGames, go to www.igames.org.
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox® video game system, the Windows® operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games), including such franchises as Age of Empires®, Flight Simulator and Zoo Tycoon®; Xbox (http://www.xbox.com), including such games as Fable® and franchises as Halo®, Project Gotham Racing® and MechAssault®; and MSN® Games (http://www.games.msn.com), the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as Bejeweled and HexicTM.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize
their full potential.