Darwinia's a Winner!

Darwinia's a Winner!

Introversion Scoop $25,000 in Award at IGF.

31st March 2006. San Jose, USA. Introversion, one of the UK's leading independent game development studios today announced that it's first full game - Darwinia - scooped a total of three awards at the prestigious Independent Games Festival award ceremony, held annually during the Game Developers Conference (GDC).

Darwinia won:

Technical Excellence

Innovation in Audio

Seamus McNally Grand Prize of $20,000

A clearly delighted Mark Morris, Director and co-founder of Introversion said, "This is fantastic! It's an incredible honour to win one let alone three awards. We've worked night and day for the past years to make Darwinia the best it could - these awards prove we were right to follow our instincts."

Thomas Arundel, fellow Director and co-founder and Director added, "It's truly awesome - I'm still in shock. We never realised that Darwinia had achieved such a following, especially in the USA. I think we have to thank Valve for their part in making our game available to the US audience."

Nominated in a record 4 categories, Darwinia saw off tough competition from a 117 entrants, the highest number since in the IGF's history.

Darwinia has no publisher, Introversion has manufactured a small number of units that is has sold and distributed in the UK. But true to form, the entrepreneurs behind the game recently signed a deal with Valve's Steam system for online sales and distribution of the game. The system has proven very successful due to Valve's powerful marketing and technical excellence.

These latest accolades for Darwinia, joins the widespread critical acclaim from the world's toughest audience - the gaming press:

IGN.com - Editor's Choice 8.8/10. "Is it awesome? Yes it is! Introversion has crafted a fine piece of entertainment. It reminds me of the good old days when creativity reigned over marketing ploys and safe choices. Darwinia is a great argument for keeping games in the hands of creative developers with good ideas."

PC Gamer. 90% Must Buy. "The most artistically exciting PC game ever. Incredibly original, gobsmackingly gorgeous. Darwinia will remind you why you love gaming so much."

Eurogamer.net 9/10. "Forget games with real-time physics. This is one has real-time metaphysics." "It's this year's underground classic, this year's Rez, this year's Ico, this year's... well, this year's Darwinia. It's a game that justifies your sense of your brilliance and gaming' sense of brilliance."

The IGF Pavilion at the 2006 Game Developers Conference in San Jose, which includes over 30 pods showcasing all the IGF finalists, will be officially open until Friday 24th next week, during conference opening hours - 9am to 5.30pm

The world of Darwinia is a virtual theme park, running entirely inside a computer network and populated by a sentient evolving life form called the Darwinians. Unfortunately Darwinia has been overrun by a computer virus, which has multiplied out of control. Your task is to destroy the Viral Infection and save the Darwinians.from extinction.

For further information please contact:

Alison Beasley, Lincoln Beasley PR - E: Alison@lincolnbeasley.co.uk

T: +44(0) 1608 645756. M: +44 (0) 7966 449130

Or visit: www.darwinia.com www.gdconf.com www.igf.com/2006entrants.shtml

About Introversion.

Introversion Software is an independent UK developer that emerged from its underground roots with Uplink in 2001. Launched with just £600, the 10 strong team still work as they started - from their bedrooms. With the success of Uplink and Darwinia, and eagerly anticipated release, DEFCON, Introversion have proven that tiny yet committed teams can make commercial success and still have a place in our industry.