Horizons: Empire of Istaria Online Distribution Deal

Straight from my inbox:

LIMELIGHT NETWORK AND TULGA GAMES CHOSEN TO HOST AND DELIVER ARTIFACT ENERTAINMENT’S SIGNATURE PRODUCT ONLINE

Leading Digital Delivery Network Tapped to Manage Large File Distribution

November 1, 2004 MESA, Ariz. Artifact Entertainment, developers of the award-winning massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) (Horizons), announced today that it has reached an agreement with Tulga Games LLC in partnership with Limelight Networks for the online distribution of its signature product (Horizons: Empire of Istaria). This agreement supplies Artifact Entertainment with important bandwidth, hosting and download services aimed at providing game subscribers with the highest quality on-line gaming experiences.

Artifact Entertainment’s President and Creative Director, David Bowman, said, (When researching content delivery providers and colocation facilities, the products, pricing and experience that Limelight offered was vastly superior). (Horizons) has a worldwide following, played by tens-of-thousands of fans in nearly 40 countries spanning territories in Asia, Europe and North America. Fans can download (Horizons) for a free seven-day trial and subsequently subscribe to the game for a one-, three-, six or twelve-month commitment period.

(As our subscriber base grows, so do our needs for increased network scalability and support. Limelight Networks has a great history of accommodating the needs of small, midsize and large corporate users. Their world-class network and support, coupled with the fact that they are right in our backyard makes them an obvious choice), says Rick Simmons, Artifact’s Director of Technology.

Nathan Raciborski, Limelight Network’s Co-Founder and Network Architect, said, (Limelight Networks has always taken great pride in working with organizations looking to enhance their online presence. Our highly-scalable network supports affordable large-file delivery around the world and we are extremely happy to support Tulga Games and Artifact Entertainment in delivering this exciting new game.)

Chris Tulumello, Managing Member of Tulga Games, said, (Tulga Games is proud to continue an association with Artifact Entertainment and proud to begin an association with Limelight Networks. Limelight has a tremendous reputation for quality and reliability while being very accommodating to clients’ needs and future plans.)

About Artifact Entertainment
Artifact Entertainment, founded in November 1999, is a privately held software development company currently focused on the subscription-based massively multiplayer online game, (Horizons). Its mission is to provide subscription-based quality online entertainment experiences using superior technology, proven design methods, broad market appeal, customer satisfaction and the highest quality staff. To find out more about Artifact Entertainment, visit www.artifact-entertainment.com.

About Limelight Networks
Limelight Networks is a leading provider of digital delivery solutions that include live and on-demand streaming media, content delivery, co-location, and Tier-1+ bandwidth services. Leveraging an efficient network architecture with strategic distribution locations around the globe, Limelight Networks enables some of the industry’s top content providers, webcasters and enterprise customers to reduce the cost and complexity of delivery while ensuring unmatched performance. Limelight Networks’ innovative delivery platform has been proven to dramatically cut the costs associated with e-commerce, distance learning, online entertainment and corporate connectivity. To find out more about Limelight Networks, visit www.limelightnetworks.com.

About Tulga Games, LLC
Tulga Games LLC is a privately held game developer headquartered in a suburb of Phoenix, Arizona. Tulga Games LLC has a mission of providing individuals and families with quality digital entertainment experiences. www.tulgagames.com

About (Horizons)
Developed by Artifact Entertainment and published by Atari, the MMPORPG Horizons: Empire of Istaria launched in December 2003 and currently boasts an avid following of tens-of-thousands of players worldwide. The ability to dynamically add content coupled with a first-rate crafting system has allowed (Horizons’) fans to experience episodic content and the ultimate in massive battles. Players are also able to take on 10 fantasy roles ranging from dragon and elf to fiend and half-giant while meeting friends that circle the globe. For more information on (Horizons), visit www.istaria.com.