1483 Online Computer Game Announced From: "Ryan S. Johnson" <dowrie@guildofblades.com> Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2001 03:35:36 +0000 For Release. 10/29/01 Guild of Blades Publishing Group and WhyKay Software Technologies strike deal for the production of the 1483 Online interactive computer game. Based on the Guild of Blades 1483 medieval strategy board game line, 1483 Online is a multi player online turn based game of diplomacy and conquest where up to 72 players take command of historical nations set in the year 1483 AD and compete for world supremacy. 1483 Online began in late 1999 as a human moderated play-by-email game (PBEM) with as few as 16 players in the first beta test that utilized just the European portion of the world. Since that time 8 games on the online game have been launched, including several fan based variants, and the online community for 1483 Online has grown to nearly 500 regular players. You can visit the 1483 Online site and join in a game at http://www.guildofblades.com/interactive/1483.html . "We're very excited about this partnership with WhyKay Software Technologies", said Guild of Blades CEO Ryan Johnson. "Ever since running the first 1483 Online game we've known that this game had tremendous potential if we could get it produced as a fully interactive online computer game. We've been searching for the right partnership to see to 1483 Online's production for a while now and am very pleased that Whykay has joined us in this venture. They are a fairly new production studio, but have a keen understanding of this game and our market, which is essential for the production of a turn based interactive game; something that is uniquely different from the many real time interactive games currently on the market. Truth is, our historical board games largely sell to a small base of historical hobby enthusiasts, while history itself has become a fairly popular field in recent years, as is evidenced by the success of the History Channel, and recent historically themed Hollywood productions. We strongly believe that historical strategy games would appeal to great many historical fans, if only they were aware of such games. 1483 Online and other games like it are one means our company will utilize to expand the general awareness of these types of games." The Guild of Blades Publishing Group initially intends to produce two versions of the 1483 Online interactive game. The first will be a freeware version available for download on the 1483 Online website and at select authorized retailer websites. This simplified free version of the game will allow players unlimited game play usage with no monthly charges to the Empires of History gaming network. The Deluxe 1483 Online game will follow a few months later and only be available for sale as a boxed software package, to be made available at hobby game retail shops, game software stores, and on the web. The Deluxe version will offer an enhanced 3D globe game map interface, include game and scenario editors, optional rules, and customizable game format options, and also include some deluxe and/or private game features that may involve additional service charges. To celebrate the success of 1483 Online the Guild of Blades will begin re-launching all new boxed set editions of its 1483 game line starting with Europe 1483 in the spring of 2002. For questions or inquiries, e-mail Ryan Johnson at: 1483-questions@guildofblades.com Guild of Blades Publishing Group http://www.guildofblades.com ------------------------ The Guild of Blades Publishing Group, 1483, 1483 Online, and Empires of History are trademarks owned by the Guild of Blades Publishing Group. WhyKay Software Technologies is a trademark owned by WhyKay Software Technologies, and the History Channel is a trademark owned by the A&E Television Networks. All rights reserved. Up