DISCOVERY NETWORKS AND EMPIRE INTERACTIVE ANNOUNCE RELEASE OF PHOTO SAFARI GAME UNDER THE ANIMAL PLANET AND DISCOVERY CHANNEL BRANDS
Discovery Networks, a unit of leading global real-world media company Discovery Communications and Empire Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of Silverstar Holdings (NASDAQ: SSTR), today announced the launch of a new African safari-themed interactive game, Wild Earth, which will be released under the Animal Planet brand in the UK, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland and under the Discovery Channel brand in Spain. The game will be offered to consumers in PC format under the Xplosiv label starting in March 2007.
Jo Edwards, Director International Licensing, Discovery Networks UK & EMEA, said, "Curiosity is at the heart of Discovery's brands, and Wild Earth will encourage consumers to explore their natural fascination with nature and the animal kingdom. Empire is an ideal partner to work with to bring this engaging new game to seven markets in Europe."
Commenting on the agreement, Ian Higgins, CEO Empire Interactive remarked, "We are very excited at the prospect of working closely with Discovery on the release of Wild Earth which is unlike any other game currently available in the market. It is a game for all the family which challenges players to go on safari and explore the diversity of African wildlife in the Serengeti".
ABOUT WILD EARTH
Wild Earth has all the excitement of a real life safari from the comfort of your own home. Live, breathe and experience the full glory of the African Serengeti National Park. Players embark on various missions, each of which feature different photographic objectives, challenging the player to explore the lush 3D world and take the best photographs of animals and environmental features. Crawl through the undergrowth to capture a group of unsuspecting hippopotami wallowing in the blazing midday sun. Jump in your 4x4 and track a herd of charging wildebeest across the vast plains or take to a helicopter and follow a pride of majestic lions.
Wild Earth offers a unique gaming experience that gives players increasingly difficult photographic missions in a detailed immersive environment. Its wide appeal and unique non-violent approach to gameplay will also appeal to a broad spectrum of non-traditional gaming audiences including women, young children and families who are looking for something to both educate and entertain.
FEATURES
Experience the thrill of seeing beautifully recreated wildlife up-close, including elephants, cheetahs, lions, crocodiles and more, as you travel through the Serengeti on foot, by jeep and by helicopter.
Immerse yourself in an environment where you will find yourself at the mercy of extreme weather including everything from rainfall to dust devils and thunderstorms.
Encounter challenging and diverse missions that include night time expeditions, wild animal tracking, exploration of the stunning Serengeti National Park and much more.
Stirring soundtrack created by world music label Talking Drum Records.
Challenging photographic missions develop players' photographic skills.
Players can use their in-game photography to create personalized html articles to email to friends.
Non-violent family oriented gameplay mechanic with mass market appeal.
- ENDS -
About Empire Interactive:
Empire Interactive is a leading publisher of interactive entertainment software that has been established for 18 years. Headquartered in the UK, Empire Interactive also has offices in the US, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. The company develops and publishes a varied range of titles for all current platforms in the US, Europe and Asia. Games such as Starsky & Hutch, Big Mutha Truckers, Ford Racing and FlatOut have all enjoyed success across the world. Its budget label, Xplosiv, is one of the fastest growing in Europe. Further information about Empire Interactive and its products can be found at www.empireinteractive.com
About Silverstar Holdings:
Silverstar Holdings Ltd. is a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: SSTR), focusing on acquiring controlling positions in high-growth retail-driven and fee-based electronic game businesses that stand to benefit from the economies of scale generated by the Internet and other technology-related platforms. It currently owns Empire Interactive PLC and Strategy First Inc. as well as a stake in Magnolia Broadband.
Strategy First Inc. is a leading developer and worldwide publisher of entertainment software for the PC. Magnolia Broadband is a fabless semiconductor company and innovator of radio frequency (RF) solutions for the cellular industry.
The statements which are not historical facts contained in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to risks associated with the uncertainty of future financial results, additional financing requirements, development of new products, regulatory approval processes, the impact of competitive products or pricing, technological changes, the effect of economic conditions and other uncertainties detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
About Discovery Communications, Inc.:
Discovery Communications, Inc.
Discovery Communications, Inc. is the number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion people in over 170 countries. Discovery Networks International offers 19 television brands, reaching 746 million subscription units with programming available in 35 languages. The division also licenses its owned properties to third-party manufacturers and distributors of home video, consumer products and publishing. Discovery Communications is owned by four shareholders: Discovery Holding Company (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB), Cox Communications, Inc., Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder and Chairman.
For more information on Empire Interactive and the Wild Earth Game contact:
Simon Callaghan
JohnnyAtom Productions
Tel; +44 7867 514554
Email; simon@johnnyatom.com
For more information on Discovery Networks UK or EMEA, Animal Planet or Discovery Channel contact:
Kirsty Barr
Communications Manager,
Discovery Networks Europe
Tel: +44 208 811 3937
Mobile: +44 7876 440648