Jade Empire Limited Edition Leaps Into Stores
Limited Edition Featuring Bonus Content
LONDON, 1st March 2005 - Xbox® today announced it will release a Limited Edition of BioWare's upcoming martial arts masterpiece, Jade Empire. The epic action-RPG game, exclusively for Xbox®, is set in a world inspired by the myths and legends of ancient China. The Limited Edition will feature a second disc containing a behind-the-scenes "making of" video feature on DVD produced by G4 video game television, a 'RPG Elements in Jade Empire' video feature, a bonus character and a bonus fighting style. Both editions are due to be released in the Spring with the standard edition priced at £39.99 (RRP) and the Ltd Edition at £44.99 (RRP).
The bonus character, Monk Zeng, has the ability to channel his Chi, or spiritual energy, to fuel powerful magic attacks that manipulate both elemental and spiritual forces. Monk Zeng can equip himself with a special weapon called the monk spade, a deadly weapon useful for slashing foes at a distance and finishing them with lethal follow-up attacks.
Created by the award-winning development team at BioWare, Jade Empire will let players master dozens of martial arts fighting styles and mystical powers that match the dazzling spectacle of Hong Kong action movies like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." The game features a deep, rich story in the tradition of BioWare, which most recently developed Star Wars®: Knights of the Old RepublicTM. Players can train under their master's watchful eye to learn powerful martial arts and mystical powers. When danger threatens, players will travel across the world, from the harsh mountains of the Land of Howling Spirits to the lush gardens of the Imperial City. In their adventures, players will face powerful human and supernatural foes, learn exotic and magical martial arts and discover the darkest secrets of the world. Only by mastering the greatest fighting styles and defeating the most powerful enemies will players earn their place as a master of martial arts in the world of Jade Empire.
The Limited Edition will also feature two other Microsoft Games Studios titles as playable demos, Forza Motorsport and Mech Assault 2: Lone Wolf.
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About BioWare
BioWare Corp. is an electronic entertainment company that develops computer and console games. BioWare's developers are currently hard at work on Jade EmpireTM, a BioWare-created intellectual property to be published by Microsoft Game Studios for the Xbox; and Dragon AgeTM, a PC RPG set in a brand new world created and owned by BioWare. BioWare is also developing its next-generation BioWare Eclipse EngineTM technology, as well as an unannounced next-generation title based on yet another BioWare-created intellectual property. BioWare has an online fan community consisting of more than 2.3 million registered users that connect to discuss the company's current and future games. Previously published projects include: the 2003 Game of the Year Star Wars: Knights of the Old RepublicTM for PC and Xbox, the award-winning Neverwinter NightsTM series, the genre-defining Baldur's GateTM role-playing game series for the PC, MDKTM2 for Dreamcast and PC, MDKTM2: Armageddon for PlayStation®2 and Shattered SteelTM. BioWare information can be found online at www.bioware.com.
About Xbox
Xbox (http://www.xbox.com) is the video game system from Microsoft that brings people together for the most exhilarating game and entertainment experiences. Xbox delivers an expansive collection of breakthrough games, powerful hardware and the unified Xbox Live online service. The tag line, "It's good to play together," captures the spirit of Xbox as the social hub of the new digital entertainment lifestyle. Xbox is now available in UK for an estimated street price of €149.99/£99.99.
About Xbox Live
A new frontier in imagination and extraordinary interaction, no one else offers the richness of online game-play found on Xbox Live. The world's only unified global online console games service, Xbox Live is continuously innovating to provide members with unparalleled experiences. This unique service unites gamers together in a dynamic community where they can experience the best online games, exclusive programming and continuous downloadable content. Xbox Live launched in the United States in November 2002 and is available in 24 countries. Please visit http://www.xbox.com/live for more information.
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox® video game system and Windows and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games/), including such franchises as "Age of Empires®," "Flight Simulator" and "Zoo Tycoon®"; Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/), including such franchises as "Halo®," "Project Gotham Racing®" and Zone.com (http://www.zone.com/), the official games channel for the MSN® network and home to such hits as "Bejeweled" and "OutSmartTM."
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
For more information, please contact:
Marie-Claire Suter
UK PR Manager - Xbox & PC Games
Tel: +44 (0) 118 909 4599
Email: i-maries@microsoft.com