Accord entre Acclaim et Avalon pour la distribution de Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance II

Ci-après le communiqué de presse (en anglais) officialisant l'accord entre ACCLAIM et AVALON pour la distribution du jeu Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance II

ACCLAIM ENTERTAINMENT, LTD. AND AVALON INTERACTIVE SIGN EUROPEAN DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT FOR BALDUR’S GATE: DARK ALLIANCE II.

Acclaim will distribute highly anticipated action role-playing adventure in largest European territories - UK, France, Germany and Benelux

LONDON, UK, 26th January 2004 – Acclaim Entertainment International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ.SC: AKLM), today announced they had reached a distribution agreement with AVALON INTERACTIVE for the release of the forthcoming Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance II in the UK, France, Benelux and Germany. The game, which was developed by Black Isle Studios under license from The Hasbro Properties Group, will be available for release on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft, and is scheduled for release on February 6th, 2004.

“The Baldur’s Gate franchise is hugely successful and there is already significant demand for this sequel among hardcore gamers and fans of the series, so we’re extremely excited to have the opportunity to distribute it in three of the largest European territories,” said Rod Cousens, Chief Executive Officer for Acclaim. “This agreement further enhances and diversifies our portfolio as we continue to bolster our reputation as one of Europe’s leading distributors.”

“In Acclaim we have found the ideal distribution partner for these vital European territories,” commented Thierry Ortolan, Senior Vice President. “We are confident that the strength of their sales and marketing teams in all these territories will ensure that Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance II continues the great success and industry recognition that the million-seller franchise has achieved to date. We are absolutely delighted to be working with them and look forward to a successful partnership.”

Developed by Black Isle Studios, Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance II is set in Wizards of the Coast’s Forgotten Realms® world, the most popular Dungeons & Dragons® campaign setting, using the 3rd Edition Dungeons & Dragons rules set. Embark on a new adventure in Baldur’s Gate and brave terrible dangers in search of fortune, glory and power. The game features 100 levels, more monsters, five new customisable player characters, single or two-weapon fighting style, graphically stunning environments, hidden areas to explore, and an item creation system that will allow players to create their own ultimate magical artefacts.

In Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance II, the darkness gathers yet again in the sprawling port city of Baldur's Gate and the city's most recent saviours vanished along with the Onyx Tower, foul bastion of Eldrith the Betrayer. In heroic tradition, adventurers throughout the Western Heartlands make the journey to Baldur's Gate to meet their great and unknown fate. The threat of Eldrith has been eliminated, yet sinister, enigmatic forces still rally against the city. There are many intrigues to unravel, enemies to butcher, and characters to meet - both old and new - before Baldur's Gate is saved from a fate far worse than utter destruction.

The original Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance was released on the PlayStation®2 in 2001, Xbox and the Nintendo GameCubeTM in 2002 and has sold in excess of one million units worldwide across all three platforms. For more information on Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II visit the website at bgda2.blackisle.com.