Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising

Thursday 19th February/... Operation Flashpoint™: Dragon Rising , the much-anticipated military shooter that marks the return of the genre-defining conflict series, breaks from cover today with the reveal of its visual identity and the release of a studio insight video. Showcasing the cutting edge technology that will take gamers closer to war than they’ll ever want to get, the video is now available to view and download from www.flashpointgame.com.

Set to deliver the most accessible, engaging and visceral sandbox shooter of the year, Operation Flashpoint™: Dragon Rising is being developed using an evolved variant of the EGO™ Engine, Codemasters Studios’ proprietary technology platform. A cross-format iterative technical project, developed with accreditation from platform holders, the EGO Engine has previously been used to great effect in the creation of award-winning titles Colin McRae: DiRT™ and Race Driver: GRID™. The EGO Engine video released today demonstrates how this technology powers everything from minute detail to grand landscapes; delivering the most immersive real world effects and environments ever seen in a FPS.

“The advantage of investing in our own technology is that we can custom-build major engine components specifically suited to each title; such as dynamically lit particle effects for gunfire and explosions, incredible vehicle detail and extensive worlds that you can literally get lost in” said Brant Nicholas, Senior Producer, Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising

“Everything that the EGO Engine does adds to the experience and tension of being in a serious conflict situation where one shot can kill. Using the engine’s rendering tech and customised audio systems, we can make players feel the danger and adrenaline rush of modern combat, immersing them in the battle as deeply as possible. The realism of the game and its artistic content goes along way towards that, but having tech driving the detail and effects will give players a real sense of what it’s like to have a 80mm mortar shell land 30ft away – it lifts the playing experience to a whole new level.”

A new high-impact visual identity was also unveiled with the reveal of the game’s logotype and pack design. “As a pillar title for Codemasters in 2009, Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising benefits from a very stylish and focussed art direction that is reflected throughout the game, its front end and will be carried through to its on-shelf presence,” said Alex Bertie, VP Brand & Marketing, Codemasters.

“The logo is a reinvention of the original with an updated contemporary design to reflect a news ticker style and ties to the gritty documentary style of the game’s visuals. Dropping the ‘2’ from the logo is a further nod to the original and tightens the game’s title itself. The packaging also echoes the game’s dramatic and powerful imagery, combining mono photography of an ‘unknown soldier’, in authentic USMC uniform, with a treated in-game background. It’s a high-impact direction befitting of the game’s intense combat experience.”

Coming this summer for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Games For Windows®, Operation Flashpoint™: Dragon Rising will see players engaged in the lethality of a deadly conflict against the full force of the Chinese PLA on the huge open-world island of Skira. Take a step closer to war than ever before with the game’s trailer and the new EGO Engine video, along with the latest in-game screenshots, all available online at www.flashpointgame.com.

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ABOUT OPERATION FLASHPOINT™: DRAGON RISING

Taking gamers as close to war as they’ll ever want to get, Operation Flashpoint™: Dragon Rising is the much anticipated return of the genre-defining military conflict title. Set to deliver the total combat experience, Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising will challenge players to survive the chaos and rapidly evolving situations of modern warfare in a new contemporary theatre

The 220km 2 island of Skira, located off the eastern coast of Russia, north of Japan, is an oil-rich Russian-controlled island that stands on the brink of war. An airborne division of the People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA) lands to claim the island as the sovereign possession of the People’s Republic. Russia turns to the US for support aid and they’re quick to respond. Sending in the USS Iwo Jima, a battalion of US Marines launch an assault on the strung out but dug-in Chinese force. Can the situation be defused before this flashpoint turns white hot and an all-out global war between the superpowers erupts?

Gameplay simulates an immense conflict between advanced forces and provides unparalleled scope with different military disciplines, vehicles and equipment for players to utilise. As an epic campaign weaves the narrative, Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising will give players the freedom to handle military crisis situations on their initiative. Unscripted missions will task players with real objectives, such as laying down suppressing fire, covering a friendly unit’s retreat or conducting short-range recon patrol. Coming this summer for the Xbox 360™, the PLAYSTATION®3 and Games For Windows®, Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising is in development at Codemasters Studios utilising an evolved variant of its proprietary award-winning EGO™ Game Technology Engine. For the trailer video and to sign up for future development briefings, please report to www.flashpointgame.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Anna Larke

Barrington Harvey

01462 456 780

anna.larke@bhpr.co.uk

Stu Taylor

Barrington Harvey

01462 456 780

stuart.taylor@bhpr.co.uk

PRESS RESOURCE WEB SITE

Download game artwork, screens and essential Codemasters’ press materials direct to your desktop from: http://www.codemasters.com/mediabank

ABOUT CODEMASTERS

Codemasters is a leading developer and publisher of best-selling interactive entertainment products for a global audience across multiple gaming platforms and channels. Established in 1986, the company’s dominant brands include Colin McRae DiRT, Race Driver GRID, Overlord and Operation Flashpoint; the company recently secured the exclusive worldwide video game rights to FORMULA 1. Codemasters is headquartered in Warwickshire UK, with North American operations based in Universal City, Calif. The company also maintains operations in Japan, Germany, France, Spain, Benelux and Malaysia. Codemasters receives over two million visitors to its web site every month, discover why at www.codemasters.com

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