Trade and Commerce on the high seas!
Strategy First Inc. is pleased to announce today that it has signed a publishing agreement with German developer, Ascaron for the North American release of Patrician II.
"Strategy First is very excited about this new partnership," says Steve Wall, V.P., Business Development. "Patrician did extremely well in Europe, selling over 1 million copies to European players. Patrician II continues that success, winning several awards already. We are confident that North American gamers will embrace this terrific title with the same enthusiasm as
the rest of the world has."
""We are happy to know that Strategy First loves Patrician II as much as we do, " says Bernd Almstedt, Marketing Director for Ascaron. "Their dedication combined with their strong marketing and distribution performance makes them partner of choice for us."
Patrician II, one of the most recent award-winning real-time trading simulations to come from Germany, takes the RTS genre by storm, combining elements from strategy, combat and simulation game play, to attract a whole new category of player.
Set in the 1300's, Patrician II reproduces maritime trade in Northern Europe at the time of the Hanseatic League. Players take on the role of a citizen in a medieval town where the goal is to rise from a simple trader to prestigious businessman. To achieve this goal, players must gain recognition and prestige among the community and try to make a profit by producing and trading goods and completing missions.
Since the primary goal of most scenarios is to be elected mayor, players may choose to buy town improvements, or build new businesses. However, Patrician II offers players several options for winning - some using less scrupulous means. Players can bribe certain influential people, or hire pirates to comb the seas and raid ships for competitors. Either way, their task is to handle supply and demand in certain cities. A variety of goods must be carefully purchased and sent for trade in far off ports in search of the highest buyer. Over 20 commodities can be bought and sold, ranging from rudimentary items such as salt to more luxurious items such as wine and pottery.
The task of trading goods for gold is just one part of this high-seas adventure. Simply getting the goods to their desired destination can be an adventure in itself. Storms can often plague the seas; slowing down the speed and damaging the ship's body. Pirates may also take the ship hostage, relieving it of all its possessions. The time will come, when all efforts will fail and players will be forced into battle.
Prepare to set sail on a journey to the New World…Patrician II hits store shelves this Fall.
About Ascaron
Over the years, ASCARON GmbH has developed into an independent software manufacturer who, with his excellent products, very good sales results and self-confident appearances has become an integral part of the European entertainment software scene. The company’s positive development is not only reflected in its growing turnover, but also in the steadily increasing number of staff members who are integrated into the continuously developing and, growing corporate structure.
About Strategy First
Strategy First Inc. is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of entertainment software. Established in 1991 and headquartered in historic “Old Montreal”, Strategy First has become one of the largest publishers of PC CD-ROM games in Canada. After acquiring Micomeq, a game developer located in St. Jérôme, QC., and retaining talent from Midnight Software, an award-winning development team from Ottawa, ON., Strategy First is poised to become a major force in the gaming industry. Best known for its Man of War series and Disciples: Sacred Lands, the company has also earned critical acclaim for its work on such titles as Steel Panthers I and II and Age of Rifles for Strategic Simulations Inc. Strategy First has worked with other leading companies in the software and entertainment industry; most notably, A&E Network, Lucas Arts, Cinar Films, Empire Interactive, and Strategic Simulations Inc.