2 September 2002 - Ubi Soft® Entertainment, one of the world's largest video game publishers, today announces a major distribution agreement with Microsoft to relaunch Age of Empires® Gold Edition, Microsoft® Flight Simulator 98, Midtown Madness® , Microsoft® Combat Flight Simulator 1, Motocross Madness® 2, Microsoft® Pandora's Box, Links® LS Classic, Microsoft® Pinball Arcade, Crimson SkiesTM and StarlancerTM. All of these titles are scheduled for release in fall 2002. The agreement for all titles covers Europe (excluding the United Kingdom), Canada, Latin America, Australia and Asia Pacific (excluding Korea and Japan).
This new agreement allows Ubi Soft to exploit its knowledge and expertise it has already gained on the "budget" market. Microsoft's huge hits will now be available to a wider audience and while broadening its games catalogue, this agreement also enables Ubi Soft to enhance the performance of its activity.
Among the games selected for republishing are titles from Microsoft's best-selling franchises and games that have achieved sales success and critical acclaim. The award-winning Age of Empires franchise has sold more than 10.5 million units worldwide. Microsoft Flight Simulator and Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator are also award-winning, best-selling franchises that demonstrate category leadership year after year.
"We are delighted to distribute these legendary PC games and to team up with Microsoft," declares Alain Corre, managing director for Europe, Asia Pacific and South America, Ubi Soft Entertainment. "All of these great titles will serve to complete our already wide range of PC games and I'm sure a great number of fans will enjoy finding these games back on the shelves!"
"Ubi Soft has an outstanding track record and expertise in the budget games category," Stuart Moulder, general manager, Microsoft Game Studios said. "We trust them to maximize the potential of this important category."
About Ubi Soft Entertainment
Ubi Soft Entertainment is an international producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products. A leading company in the multimedia industry, Ubi Soft's strong and diversified line-up has grown considerably, as has Ubi Soft itself. As well as steadfastly continuing to partner with several high-profile companies, Ubi Soft has also confirmed its presence on the global market by developing its own exceptional properties. Founded in 1986 in France, Ubi Soft is now present on every continent, both through offices in 22 different countries including the United States, Brazil, Morocco, Germany and China and through sales of products in over 50 countries. The group is dedicated to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game titles to consumers around the world. To learn more, visit www.ubi.com.