FIRE DEPARTMENT 3

BASINGSTOKE, England (March 31st 2006) - Publisher MONTE CRISTO plunge players into the intense real life world of fire fighters, with the launch of FIRE DEPARTMENT 3 on PC CD-ROM. Risking their lives to save someone else's, fire fighters are called to incidents across the globe; commanding an arsenal of fire fighting equipment, where the fire is a living, breathing nemesis to defeat. Priced at £19.99, the fight begins on 19th MAY 2006, exclusively distributed by KOCH Media in the UK.

A mysterious fire outbreak occurs at the press unveiling of a new commercial aircraft in Eastern Europe. Flames rip through the airport hangers, as civilians flee for their lives. Dangerously close to fuel reserves, the flames jump from building to building, as if they have taken on a life of their own. Tragedy strikes once again in an underground shopping centre, where fire has broken out, imprisoning numerous civilians; billowing smoke suffocating their every breath. FIRE DEPARTMENT 3's real time strategy game play will challenge players from small house fires to toxic chemical plant blazes as they endeavour to maintain the Fire Fighters Code of Ethics - 'As fire fighters, our fundamental duty is to safeguard life, preserve the environment, and protect property'.

Developed in conjunction with actual fire fighters, the game uses a very sophisticated fire model to faithfully recreate the behaviour of fire. Once an object has ignited, the spread and intensity of the flames are determined by many factors. Wind can change the direction of a fire, increasing its intensity and spread. The landscape can increase or hamper a fire, as it leaps quickly up slope or comes to an abrupt halt at a down slope or fire break. Highly flammable substances will combust and spread with ease (butane bottles, vehicles, PVC ducting, electrical ducting, burning animals running from the scene), so hosing key areas is vital. Within the game, the fire will naturally spread to areas where it is easiest for it to take hold. It is therefore down to the player to analyse the situation and judge how best to prevent the fires spread.

Smoke is an enemy almost as dangerous as fire itself. Moving much quicker than the fire, it often is the first indication of a much greater threat. Following the path of least resistance, smoke will fill the area it's contained within, travelling along any available ventilation paths. Noxious fumes suppress the oxygen levels, incapacitating people without breathing apparatus. Smoke also carries heat and combustible gases that can build up within rooms. When the accumulated smoke reaches threshold, the smoke bursts into flames, a phenomenon called a 'flashover'. In certain circumstances, fire is almost totally extinguished within a room which has no smoke outlet. A substantial intake of air into the room re-ignites the fire, literally exploding it outwards - commonly known as 'back draft'.

FIRE DEPARTMENT 3 is more than a challenging and exciting game. It's also a realistic simulation that offers a great way to learn about the skills, techniques and tools that fire professionals employ on the scene every day.

- FEATURES -

• Illustrate fire and smoke dynamics in an interactive way. Fire Department 3 features an advanced fire and smoke engine, providing an enhanced sense of realism. Fire behaves just as it does in real life - no script determines the way it evolves. Smoke follows ventilation paths, flows through open windows, heats up closed space. To be even more realistic, fire and smoke combine their effects together to make an even more lethal opponent.

• Simulate crew and vehicle management in real-time. Response time, crew and vehicle resources, and environmental conditions affect events on the scene.

• Demonstrate fire fighting strategies and techniques. Fire Department 3 engages players to make the same split-second, strategic decisions that fire and rescue professionals make in the field every day. They must organize the crews and reinforcements on the ground to combat the blaze strategically and tackle hazards on the scene, think strategically in order to minimize casualties and damage, and follow the Fire fighter Code of Ethics and standard fire and rescue procedures.

• Dynamic particle and lighting effects within a full 3D game world. Fire, water and smoke are realistically reproduced using particle effects. Gravity affects the objects just like in the real world: smoke spreads to the sky, fire propagates rapidly upwards, normally sideways and slowly backwards, water flows from the original source based on terrain and gravity. Fire and explosion effects light up the surrounding areas. Realistic spread of flames, as well as hazards such as back draft and flashover.

Published by MONTE CRISTO and distributed exclusively by KOCH Media in the UK, FIRE DEPARTMENT 3 is set for launch 19th MAY 2006.

For all UK press enquires relating to FIRE DEPARTMENT 3 please contact:

MEDIA CONTACTS:

DAVID BLUNDELL,

HEAD OF PR

+44 (0) 8700 276 530

d.blundell@kochmedia.com

About MONTE CRISTO:

Monte Cristo, founded ten years ago, has become a respected player in the sector of management and strategy games. Its titles, including Desert Rats vs. Afrika Korps, Fire Department 1 & 2, Medieval Lords, Platoon, The Partners, Wall Street Trader and Economic War, have resonated with gamers in Europe and beyond. Monte Cristo is currently focusing its production and design resources towards life simulation, builders and tactical management with the intention of reaching a larger international audience.

www.montecristogames.com.

About KOCH MEDIA UK:

Founded in 1994, KOCH MEDIA UK develops, publishes and distributes a diverse mix of titles for home console gaming systems, personal computers and the Internet. Based in Basingstoke, the company has distribution contracts with a number of software publishers, including NINTENDO. For publishers not in the UK, KOCH MEDIA exclusively markets, sells and distributes titles. Under its own brands of DEEP SILVER and EUROPRESS, KOCH MEDIA develops and publishes its own range of gaming and educational and lifestyle software. For more information on KOCH MEDIA and its products, visit www.kochmedia.co.uk