Jade Empire Release Date Announced

The full press release:

Jade Empire Leaps into Action on April 14

Limited Edition Featuring Bonus Content Now Available for Pre-Order

Microsoft Game Studios today announced the release date for BioWare’s upcoming martial arts masterpiece, Jade Empire. The epic action-RPG game, exclusively for Xbox®, is set in a world inspired by the myths and legends of ancient China and will leap into stores across North America starting on April 14, with worldwide distribution occurring shortly thereafter. Microsoft Game Studios also confirmed that it will release a Limited Edition of Jade Empire that will feature a bonus character, a bonus fighting style and a behind-the-scenes “making of ” video feature on DVD produced by G4 video game television. The bonus character, Monk Zeng, has the ability to channel his Chi, or spiritual energy, to fuel powerful magic attacks that manipulate both elemental and spiritual forces. Monk Zeng can equip himself with a special weapon called the monk spade, a deadly weapon useful for slashing foes at a distance and finishing them with lethal follow-up attacks. The Jade Empire Limited Edition is available for pre-order now for the same suggested retail price as the standard version, $49.95 (U.S.).

Created by the award-winning development team at BioWare, Jade Empire will let players master dozens of martial arts fighting styles and mystical powers that match the dazzling spectacle of Hong Kong action movies like “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” The game features a deep, rich story in the tradition of BioWare, which most recently developed Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republicâ„¢. Players can train under their master’s watchful eye to learn powerful martial arts and mystical powers. When danger threatens, players will travel across the world, from the harsh mountains of the Land of Howling Spirits to the lush gardens of the Imperial City. In their adventures, players will face powerful human and supernatural foes, learn exotic and magical martial arts and discover the darkest secrets of the world. Only by mastering the greatest fighting styles and defeating the most powerful enemies will players earn their place as a master of martial arts in the world of Jade Empire.

For more information about Jade Empire, visit http://xbox.com/jadeempire/ or http://jade.bioware.com/.

BioWare Corp. is an electronic entertainment company that develops computer and console games. BioWare’s developers are currently hard at work on Jade Empireâ„¢, a BioWare-created intellectual property to be published by Microsoft Game Studios for the Xbox; and Dragon Ageâ„¢, a PC RPG set in a brand new world created and owned by BioWare. BioWare is also developing its next-generation BioWare Eclipse Engineâ„¢ technology, as well as an unannounced next-generation title based on yet another BioWare-created intellectual property. BioWare has an online fan community consisting of more than 2.3 million registered users that connect to discuss the company’s current and future games. Previously published projects include: the 2003 Game of the Year Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republicâ„¢ for PC and Xbox, the award-winning Neverwinter Nightsâ„¢ series, the genre-defining Baldur’s Gateâ„¢ role-playing game series for the PC, MDKâ„¢2 for Dreamcast and PC, MDKâ„¢2: Armageddon for PlayStation®2 and Shattered Steelâ„¢. BioWare information can be found online at www.bioware.com.

Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox® video game system, the Windows® operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games), including such franchises as Age of Empires®, Flight Simulator and Zoo Tycoon®; Xbox (http://www.xbox.com), including such games as Fable® and franchises as Halo®, Project Gotham Racing® and MechAssault®; and MSN® Games (http://www.games.msn.com), the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as (Bejeweled) and (Hexic™.)

Xbox (http://www.xbox.com) is the video game system from Microsoft that brings people together for the most exhilarating game and entertainment experiences. Xbox delivers an expansive collection of breakthrough games, powerful hardware and the unified Xbox Live online service. The new tagline, (It’s Good to Play Together,) captures the spirit of Xbox as the social hub of the new digital entertainment lifestyle. Xbox is now available in North America, Asia, Europe and Australia.

G4 video game television is the one and only 24/7 television network dedicated to all things videogames: games, gear, gadgets and guys. The network airs all original programming and is available in 50 million cable and satellite homes nationwide. Headquartered in Los Angeles, G4 is owned by Comcast Corporation. To learn more, log onto www.g4tv.com.