NEWS - Friday, August 13, 2004
Sid Meiers Pirates Confirmed For Xbox
Aug. 13, 2004 Atari, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATAR) and Firaxis Games announced today that Sid Meiers Pirates!(R) for the Xbox(R) video game system from Microsoft is currently in development and is scheduled to release worldwide in spring 2005. Sid Meiers Pirates! for Windows will ship to retail stores worldwide on November 16, 2004. The award-winning 1987 smash hit game, Sid Meiers Pirates!, received unprecedented critical acclaim and set the industry standard for innovative game design with its unique blend of open-ended role-playing, real-time adventures and thrilling action sequences. "There has been great anticipation for the long awaited return of Pirates! and to see what the team at Firaxis has been able to accomplish with the franchise," said Nancy MacIntyre, vice president of marketing, Atari, Inc. "We are pleased to follow-up what is sure to be a great PC launch this holiday with an Xbox title next year." "Were thrilled to continue our relationship with Atari to bring Pirates! not only to fans of the original game but to a new generation of gamers," said Jeff Briggs, President and CEO of Firaxis Games. "Pirates! is among the most popular and loved titles in gaming history and Sid and the team here are working hard to uphold the high standards of the franchise." In Sid Meiers Pirates! for Windows and Xbox, players take the leading role of a Pirate Captain in the 17th century Caribbean - amassing fortune and fame in an attempt to seize a rightful place as one of the most revered and feared pirates in history. Players test their skills as a sea captain exploring the high seas and exotic ports in a richly detailed 3-D world. As your reputation and skills grow, so will the size and quality of your crew, your ability to take on larger enemy ships, raid and plunder heavily fortified ports, and locate ancient treasure. Sid Meiers Pirates! for Xbox will include a Vs mode and will take advantage of many Xbox Live! capabilities, high fidelity 5.1 Dolby Digital surround and will support HDTV.Source: http://www.atari.com