Kuju Steam Ahead with the Black 5
22nd September, Surrey, UK. Kuju Entertainment (AIM:KUJ) has unveiled the first engine to appear in it's forthcoming PC title Rail Simulator* - the Black 5. The engine will be accurately modelled in full 3D and feature realistic sound effects. This engine was first introduced to Britain's railways in 1934 and remained in service for over 20 years.
Richard Rogerson, Rail Simulator Executive Producer, explains some of the thinking behind the choice "The Black 5 is one of the great locomotives from the UK Steam Age. We chose it because it was used all over the country, including our first announced route, The Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway, and people that want to build add-on routes can work with it. There's also plenty of reference material and just as importantly the Black 5 looks great! We're releasing images of this model now to give the community a good idea of the incredibly high standard that we are setting with Rail Simulator."
Rail Simulator will offer the opportunity for players to take charge of steam, diesel and electric trains on real routes in the UK and Germany. Challenging and fun gameplay will even enable players to design their own ideal journey routes.
Kuju Entertainment previously developed Microsoft Train SimulatorTM, which sold a million copies and inspired third-party companies to develop over 40 expansion packs.
Rail Simulator will be published in Europe in 2006 by Electronic Arts, the world's leading interactive entertainment software company.
For further information contact: Alison Beasley, Lincoln Beasley PR
T: 01608 645756 E: Alison@lincolnbeasley.co.uk M: +44 (0)7966 449130
About the Black Five
The Black 5 (or Class 5 Mixed Traffic) was designed by Sir William Stanier when he was Chief Mechanical Engineer for the London Midland and Scottish (LMS) railway. It was introduced in 1934, and came into operation on the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway in 1938. The Black 5 was used all over Britain; it was in operation across the LMS (London, Midland and Scotland) as well as on other routes in Scotland. The Black 5 was designed for mixed traffic use; it dealt equally well with loose-coupled goods, vacuum fitted freights, semi-fast and express passenger services. Additionally it was used in the summer to provide a Saturday coastal service to Bournemouth.
For more information about the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway and Kuju's plans for the in game route, please visit the official website: www.railsimulator.com
- working title only
About Kuju Entertainment
Kuju Entertainment, one of Europe's leading independent game developers on console, PC and wireless platforms, operates six studios in the UK and has been creating top-rated games for over fifteen years. Kuju maintains specialist console/PC divisions in the action, strategy/tactical, racing, simulation and lifestyle genres as well as separate divisions for wireless development and conversion projects.
Kuju is also a leading publisher of wireless Java games. Kuju Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kuju plc. Kuju plc is listed on London's AIM market (LSE AIM: KUJ). www.kuju.com