Xplosiv Bowls Out The Competition With International Cricket Captain Ashes Year 2005

London, July 19th, 2005, Xplosiv is looking to bowl over the competition this summer with the release on PCCD Rom of International Cricket Captain Ashes Year 2005, on August 5th. In the year England will battle for honour and victory against the Australians in the Ashes, International Cricket Captain Ashes Year 2005 will give both cricket enthusiasts and (management) gaming fans their own taste of cricketing glory as they lead their teams on the long path to victory.

With a reputation for outstanding game mechanics and statistical up-to-date cricket data the International Cricket Captain series has already proved itself a marketplace winner selling over 136,000 units. Former England team members have endorsed previous titles in the series. Praising International Cricket Captain 2000 former England captain Nassar Hussain said, 'Only guys who really love cricket could have produced a game like this.' Praise echoed by England batsmen Graham Thorpe for International Cricket Captain 2002 who said of the game, 'The level of depth and realism in the game is terrific. All strategies are true to the game of cricket, and sometimes work better than in real life.'

This time around rising cricket star Andrew Strauss, member of the Ashes England cricket team, former captain of Middlesex and Wisden cricketer of the year will lend his support to International Cricket Captain Ashes Year 2005. 'I am really pleased to be associated with Xplosiv and the next game in the International Cricket Captain Series, the amount of information in this game is terrific, it's a must for all cricket lovers' said Strauss.

In game commentary will also be included by world-class BBC reporter Jonathan Agnew, to give the game added realism and a touch of class.

Features in this latest addition to the International Cricket Captain series will include:

• Player Database: comprehensive and up-to-date database* ( beg of 2005 season) featuring statistics for every first class cricketer in the test playing nations.

• 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.

• Transfers: improve your squad by offering contracts to experienced or youth players.

• Team Selection: who's in form and who's not. Regret not including a spinner for the last match?

• 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 send a bouncer to rile the tail-enders.

• Two Player: captain any of the Test playing nations and compete against a friend in either a Test or one-day series.

• World Rating System: featuring the top ten bowlers and batsman.

'This game has been produced with a level of statistical up-to-date cricket detail that sets it apart from other similar titles,' said Joanne Fawell, Xplosiv Product Manager. She added, 'It will provide cricket fans and management gaming fans with hours of gameplay and is a great addition to the Xplosiv range.'

Release date: August 5th 2005

Price £19.99

Notes for editors

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 publisher of interactive entertainment software that has been established for 17 years. The company floated on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange in July 2000. Headquartered in the UK, Empire Interactive also has offices in the US, Germany, Italy and Spain. The company develops and publishes a varied range of titles across all platforms in the US, Europe and Asia. Further information about Empire Interactive and its products can be found at: www.empireinteractive.com