Asherons Call: Press Release Regarding AC2

"Asheron's Call 2" Unveiled

Microsoft and Turbine Entertainment to Usher In Long-Anticipated Sequel To Popular Online World

LAS VEGAS - Feb. 27, 2002 - Answering the call of the players, Microsoft Corp. today announced at its PC Games International Games Festival that "Asheron's Call® 2," a sequel to the popular "Asheron's Call," is in development and scheduled for beta release this winter. A massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), "Asheron's Call" has brought thousands of players together in a colossal online gaming world. A leader in the MMORPG genre, Microsoft is building on this momentum and has again allied with Turbine Entertainment Software Corp. for the development of "Asheron's Call 2." The game will feature a new dynamic, evolving world that reacts to player behavior and actions; the advanced MMORPG Turbine Engine G2 graphics engine; a revamped combat system and a new in-depth crafting system that gives players a chance to pursue noncombative skills.

"Core to the appeal of heroic fantasy is the ability to make your mark on the world around you," said Stuart Moulder, general manager of Microsoft Game Studios. "'Asheron's Call 2' delivers this with an engine that allows players to genuinely affect the landscape and story of the world, combined with graphics that rival some first-person shooters. We expect 'Asheron's Call 2' to elevate online gaming, and our players in the process."

In "Asheron's Call 2," players will be challenged to rebuild a world that has been devastated by a great disaster. Their actions will help determine where and how the world is restored. In their quest to rebuild the world, players also must deal with ongoing events, including such world-shaking calamities as blizzards, volcanoes and hordes of invading forces, as the story unfolds. Players can align with one of three kingdoms and battle both monsters and opposing players to capture and control precious resources - and ultimately, survive.

"Designing 'Asheron's Call 2' is especially exciting because it is a living process," said Jeff Anderson, CEO of Turbine Entertainment. "Once we've completed the boxed game, our technology allows us to easily deliver new features and content regularly. The beauty of an online game design is that we have an ongoing creative outlet - and commitment to our players - to keep the game challenging and alive month after month."

For further information about Microsoft PC Games International Games Festival, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/games/gamesfestival/.

About the Microsoft PC Games Group

The Microsoft PC Games group, part of Microsoft Game Studios, comprises many of the industry's top development studios. Committed to publishing a diverse PC games portfolio, Microsoft Game Studios develops, publishes and distributes such award-winning franchises as "Flight Simulator," "Age of Empires®," "Links®," "MechWarrior®" and "Zoo Tycoon™," as well as original titles across all genres. More information is available at http://www.microsoft.com/games/.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software

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