Meridian4 and Frozenbyte Spotlight Cooperation in Shadowgrounds new Demo!

Montreal, Canada. May 4, 2006 - Game publisher Meridian4 and developer Frozenbyte are pleased to announce the release of their second North American demo for their Action/Shooter; Shadowgrounds, now featuring the multiplayer co-op mode and a new mission.

"This demo allows players to delve deeper into the Shadowgrounds action. It includes a brand new level that gives you more weapons and a lot more aliens to kill," said Steve Milburn, Marketing Director at Meridian4, "It also gives everyone a chance to try out the multiplayer co-op mode for the first time."

"We are very excited to release the second demo right after the successful North American launch. The timing of the new demo is perfect for UK gamers too, because Shadowgrounds will be launched in the UK on Friday this week," said Frozenbyte CEO, Lauri Hyvarinen and continued: "The first demo was well-received, and I believe the new demo will get even more gamers excited about Shadowgrounds."

About the Demo

The demo features three levels in all; level 1, 2 and level 5 and enables the multiplayer co-op mode for all levels. The new demo includes all of the crowd pleasing weapons and upgrades of the first demo, such as the AM-92 Pulse Rifle with the shocking upgrade of the Electric Tazer and the return of the fan favourite; the WP650 "B.R.N." Flamer with the Fuel Trap upgrade for when you need a wall of flames. Also, if you look carefully, you may find the hidden Laser Rifle in the new demo mission.

Level 1 - 'Power Plant' has you looking into what seems to be a routine power outage. You and two members of your team investigate the power plant. While you fix the problem, your friends mysteriously disappear, they can't be hailed over the radio and then all hell breaks loose!

Level 2 - 'Water Treatment Facility' has Corporal Jane Arwyn trapped and in danger. You must get yourself safely into the facility, rescue Jane and get out alive. Did we mention the hordes of aliens and a level boss the size of a semi?

Level 5 - 'New Atlantis: Centrum' New Atlantis is the main colonisation on Ganymede and is the home for thousands of people, including a large number of scientists and civilians. Meet Ltn. Baxter there and help him rescue the remaining survivors.

Take on the role of Tyler, an ex-security expert, now working as a mechanic in the outskirts of the space colony on Jupiter's moon; Ganymede. What you thought was going to be just another cold, dark and boring day turns into a battle for your and the colony's survival.

Good luck

For more information about Shadowgrounds and to get the demo, go to www.meridian4.com.

About Shadowgrounds

Shadowgrounds is an epic sci-fi game that blends addictive old school gameplay and modern technology creating one big, nasty alien-battling carnage festival. Played from a top-down perspective, Shadowgrounds give you full control over the battlefield and features a devastating arsenal of weapons, realistic and sometimes hair-raising lighting effects and tons of monsters to shoot, slice, electrocute and even flame broil!

• Upgrade weaponry with powerful modifications
• Face enormous monsters in boss battles
• Destructible environment allows players to wreak havoc with their arsenal
• Visit many exciting locations, including a secret military base and the alien-infested colony New Atlantis
• Fight side-by-side with NPC allies against the massive alien hordes
• Check security cameras and computer logs to investigate alien origins
• Realistic lighting with gameplay effects bring the aliens out of the shadows
• Enjoy horrifying sound effects and a thrilling music soundtrack made exclusively for Shadowgrounds
• Powered by Frozenbyte's incredible 3D engine!

SPECIAL FEATURE:
2-4 PLAYER CO-OP MULTIPLAYER! - 2-4 players can play the co-operative mode on the same computer to maximize the destruction.

About Frozenbyte
Frozenbyte is an independent game developer based in Helsinki, Finland. Founded in 2001, the company is out to show the world that dedication, hard work and innovation can still deliver inspiring games. Highly-anticipated Shadowgrounds is Frozenbyte's first commercial game and has already received much critical acclaim in Finland and Germany, where the game was released in November 2005.

About Meridian4
Meridian4 is an interactive software publisher located in Montreal, Canada. We are a new publishing company, with new ideas and a different approach to forming partnerships with developers. The difference is we actually form a partnership - a true relationship characterized by mutual cooperation and responsibility to achieve the best possible performance for their products.

Find attached a few more screen shots capturing all of the action.

For more information or to request a review copy of Shadowgrounds, contact me at:
Steve Milburn
steve@meridian4.com
www.meridian4.com
514-697-2165