Asheron’s Call 2: Legions Now Available

The full press release:

ASHERON’S CALL 2: LEGIONS NOW AVAILABLE

Turbine Ships First Internally Developed, Self Published Title

WESTWOOD, Mass. May 4, 2005 Turbine, Inc., a leading publisher of online subscription entertainment, announced today that the highly-anticipated massively multiplayer online game Asheron’s Call 2: Legionsâ„¢ is available now at retail chains throughout North America. The game will be available in Europe on May 6.

The long-awaited expansion pack to Asheron’s Call 2: Fallen Kings® marks the first game to be funded, developed and published entirely by Turbine. With Legions, Turbine has taken the first of many steps beyond its original role as a contract developer and added the responsibilities of marketing and launch efforts, effectively positioning the company as a full-scale publisher.

“Launching Asheron’s Call 2: Legions is the beginning of a new era for Turbine,” said Tom Nichols, vice president of marketing, Turbine, Inc. “Not only will we continue to develop great games based on some of the world’s most compelling properties, but as a publisher we will now be able to oversee the entire process. Every step in delivering a title is now under Turbine’s direction and is held up to the company’s high standards.”

Turbine is working with Station Publishing to distribute Asheron’s Call 2: Legions in North America. Turbine also partnered with Codemasters to distribute the game throughout Europe.

About Asheron’s Call 2: Legions

Asheron’s Call 2: Legions is the first follow-up to the graphically ground-breaking MMORPG Asheron’s Call 2: Fallen Kings. Legions will provide players with an ambitious new storyline complete with an extensive array of new content for hours and hours of additional online adventuring. Players will now have a massive new continent to conquer, full of more than 100 quests, increasing the size of the existing gameworld by 30 percent. The title allows gamers to take control of never before playable races, including the Empyreans and the Drudge, as well as explore new dungeons, battle new monsters and arm themselves with the latest array of weapons. The improved Hero System 2.0 builds on the 300 added skills and abilities as well as three new prestige classes. The overall game engine upgrades and extensive system improvements largely enhance the performance and game play experience, making the title appealing to both new players as well as the most avid fan.

About Codemasters

Codemasters is a leading developer and publisher of best-selling interactive entertainment products for a global audience on current and future gaming platforms and channels. Established in 1986, the company’s dominant brands include Colin McRae Rally, TOCA Race Driver, LMA Manager, Brian Lara Cricket and Operation Flashpoint. The company is headquartered in Southam, Warwickshire UK and maintains European operations in Germany, France, Spain, and Benelux. The company has its US headquarters in New York. More information about the company and its products is available online at http://www.codemasters.com

About Station Publishing

Based in San Diego, CA, Station Publishing is a cross-platform publishing, distribution and marketing label, releasing exciting interactive entertainment products from third-party developers and content providers for personal computers, game consoles and mobile devices. The company’s goal is to work with talented developers and publishers, giving them access to Station Publishing’s high caliber suite of services and support, including top-notch distribution, marketing and technology resources. Station Publishing is a DBA of Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games.

SOE and the SOE logo are registered trademarks and Station Publishing is a trademark of Sony Online Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About Turbine, Inc.

Turbine, Inc. is a premier producer, publisher and operator of online subscription entertainment and is headquartered in Westwood, Mass. With studios on two coasts, the company is the largest privately-held online games company in North America. Turbine’s catalogue includes some of the most famous online entertainment brands, including Asheron’s Call®, Dungeons & Dragons® Online: Stormreachâ„¢ and The Lord of the Ringsâ„¢ Online. For more information on Turbine and its services, please visit www.turbine.com.