Space Ark

DERBY, ENGLAND, May 21st 2009 – Derby-based Strawdog Studios, are pleased to announce that their latest original game “Space Ark” will be coming to Xbox Live Arcade in Q3 2009.

“Space Ark” is a fun homage to the bright and bouncy arcade games of the late 80s such as Rainbow Island and Arkanoid, with an added mix of Pinball.

A wandering black hole has passed through the galaxy destroying planets and leaving others damaged and desolate in its wake. The Arkonauts – a team of space traveling animals – have been dispatched in their Space Ark on a mission to bring life back to the shattered worlds. You must aid the Arkonauts in their quest by bouncing them into the air to collect DNA left in orbit by the previous inhabitants, transforming the planets back into vibrant habitats. The game features 180 levels of ‘Arkonaut’ bouncing entertainment split across 5 worlds, with 24 selectable Arkonauts, 5 mini games, bonus levels and a host of power-ups.

Dan Marchant (Business development director) said “During the production of our previous title “Geon” we built a great relationship with the guys at Microsoft. As a result of this we decided to pitch “Space Ark” as a potential XBLA title and were really very pleased (in a restrained British manner) when they approved the concept for publishing on XBLA. The game has been in development for 5 months and is due for release later this year.”

More information regarding the game can be found at http://www.spacearkgame.com

Screen shots can be downloaded from http://www.strawdogstudios.com/media/SpaceArk_Screenshots.zip

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For press information please contact:

Dan Marchant Email: dan.marchant@strawdogstudios.com

Tel; +44 (0)1332 258862

Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/StrawdogStudios

Youtube http://www.youtube.com/strawdogstudios

Notes to editors:

Space Ark has been co-financed by EM Media through European Regional Development Funds, invested in Strawdog Studios’ sister company Bounce Entertainment Software Limited.

About Strawdog Studios Ltd.

Strawdog Studios is an independent game developer founded in 2003 and based in Derby, UK. The Strawdog Studios team develop both original games and contract/licensed games for Xbox 360/XBLA, PS3/PSN, Wii, PC and iPhone. In addition to “Space Ark” the team have previously developed arcade title "Geon" (XBLA & PSN) as well as a number of contract projects using our cross-platform technology. For further details of the company, products or services please see www.strawdogstudios.com.

About EM Media

EM Media is the Regional Screen Agency for England’s East Midlands.

The agency has built a reputation for investing in innovative and distinctive projects and has led the creation of a national profile for the East Midlands as a film-led region. Since 2002 EM Media has invested ERDF finance and/or Lottery in 30 feature films. These include Karl Golden’s Pelican Blood, Samantha Morton’s directorial debut The Unloved, Brian Percival’s A Boy Called Dad, Nicolas Winding Refn’s Bronson, Kenny Glenaan’s Summer, Duane Hopkins’ Better Things (Cannes Official Selection 2008), Martin Radich’s Crack Willow (Under The Radar – EIFF 2008), Steven Sheil’s Mum and Dad, Jeanie Finlay’s Goth Cruise, Shane Meadows’ award-winning This Is England and Anton Corbijn’s award-winning Control. EM Media has also co-financed the first slate of films from Warp X, the low-budget digital film initiative which has produced Chris Waitt’s A Complete History of My Sexual Failures, Olly Blackburn’s Donkey Punch, Mark Tonderai’s Hush and the forthcoming Bunny and the Bull , She, A Chinese and All Tomorrow’s Parties.

EM Media has co-financed the development and production of games and virtual worlds with European Regional Development finance, including Space Ark, mixm8, Beauty Salon, Geon: Emotions, Bugs of War, Manifest, Spell Souls and Hunter’s World.

Visit www.em-media.org.uk.