Hadrian's Wall To Make History Once Again

PRESS RELEASE

17th April 2007 - Already steeped in history of its own, the Hadrian's Wall fort will play host to another historic event on Wednesday 25th April when the multi-national team behind a unique 'virtual world' will use the venue to meet 'in the flesh' for the very first time.

Roma Victor, an online community where thousands of people from around the world meet and interact in an authentic 3D simulation of ancient life in Roman-occupied Britain, was created by Brighton-based RedBedlam by bringing together the skills and efforts of a 'virtual development team' from all parts of the globe. With the virtual world now in full swing, the creative team has been invited by English Heritage to use the Chesters fort as the venue for its first real-world meeting.

The fort at Chesters (or, as it was known in Roman times, Cilurnum) is already relevant to the project as it was the first significant structure added to Roma Victor when the online world's test servers launched in 2003.

"It's going to be a very humbling experience to stand in the ghostly ruins of a location we know so well as home to a thriving community in our own virtual recreation of the era," says Kerry Fraser-Robinson, Managing Director of RedBedlam and lead developer on the Roma Victor project. "We're very keen to promote the educational and inspirational value of virtual worlds, as they can provide people from all over the world with exciting and highly interactive access to ancient history, which has been brought to life in a way never before realised."

While the nucleus of the RedBedlam team is based in Brighton, England, the team which has created the virtual world of Roma Victor over a period of five years is spread throughout the world with members coming from as far afield as Brazil and Canada. Despite the fact that these people have collaborated so closely for such a long time, the gathering at Cilurnum will be the first occasion where they will meet face to face.

Jennifer Clarke from English Heritage said: "Chesters Roman Fort is one of the most well preserved sites along Hadrian's Wall, and it's a place that really fuels the imagination. Visitors can see where the cavalry regiment of 500 men and horses would have lived, worked, worshipped and even bathed.

"It is great to know that this site has inspired the creators of Roma Victor, and that they are heading to Chesters from across the world for this celebration meeting."

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Press and Academics are invited to attend the meeting at Chester's Roman Fort Museum on Wednesday 25th April 2007 from 12 midday. For further details please use the press contacts below.

Further information about English Heritage please visit http://www.english-heritage.org.uk

Further information about Roma Victor can be found online at http://www.roma-victor.com/

Note to editors:

RedBedlam Ltd. was founded in 2001 in order to create virtual worlds and to realise virtual economies. The company's pilot project, Roma Victor® is a non-fantasy MMORPG set at the height of the Roman Empire circa 180CE. RedBedlam is a fully independent privately held company, which remains totally committed to the principals of community involvement and inter-dependence.

RedBedlam Press Contact: Nick Witcher: ngw@redbedlam.com

English Heritage Press Contact: Ruth Holliday at ruth@mhwpr.co.uk