Melbourne Cup Videogame Lines Up For The Starter's Gate

News by GamesIndustry International Contributor

Published on Sept. 29, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wellington, New Zealand - September 29, 2006 - Home Entertainment Suppliers Pty Ltd (HES) today announced the release date for the hotly anticipated horse racing videogame, Melbourne Cup Challenge for the Sony PlayStation ® 2, Microsoft Xbox TM and PC. Galloping into stores across Australia and New Zealand on 26 October 2006, Melbourne Cup Challenge brings the energy and excitement of the great race into homes ahead of the 2006 Melbourne Cup Carnival.

"The Emirates Melbourne Cup is the race that stops a nation", said David Robles, Business Development Manager for HES. "The excitement, passion, and glamour of the horse racing industry are captured in Melbourne Cup Challenge allowing gamers themselves to compete in their very own legendary horse racing events".

"From horse racing enthusiast to casual gamer, there is something for everyone in Melbourne Cup Challenge", said Robles. "The success of the title will build into an ongoing franchise from which we can continue to push the boundaries of the genre."

The features of Melbourne Cup Challenge include -

. Official licenses including access to the Emirates Melbourne Cup Race, Flemington Race Course, Classic Caulfield, The Caulfield Cup, Royal Ascot Race Course, leading jockey Frankie Dettori, and more

. Multiplayer online play for all platforms, allowing competitive and friendly play over the Internet with up to 8 people

. Multiple game modes including Season Mode, Jockey Challenge, Betting Party, and Simulation Mode.

. In depth Season Mode including auctions, horse breeding, training, personnel hiring and firing, and stable management

. Highly detailed graphics including realistic horses and jockeys, weather effects, and accurately modelled Australian and international race courses.

. Live race commentary by Matthew Hill from Sky Channel

. Lifelike horse and jockey animation, motion captured by Weta Digital, the VFX wizards behind The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy

"We are very pleased with what we have been able to achieve with the title" said Mario Wynands, Managing Director of Sidhe Interactive, the development studio behind the title. "Melbourne Cup Challenge raises the bar in the horse racing gaming genre by providing ease of accessibility, online connectivity and superior graphical realism".

Melbourne Cup Challenge will release on PS2, Xbox and PC in Australasia on 26 October 2006 under 'Tru Blu Games', the publishing division of HES. The title will also be released in Europe at a later date under the name "Frankie Dettori Racing".

Note to media: Screenshots and a movie trailer from the game are available for download from http://www.melbournecupchallenge.com. Permission is given for these to be used in your publication or website.

Contact:

Jos Ruffell

Business Development Executive

Sidhe Interactive

www.sidheinteractive.com

PO Box 6203

Marion Square

Wellington

New Zealand

+64 4 4712638

jos@sidhe.co.nz

David Robles