East India Company showcases dynamic warfare on the open sea, the challenge of establishing profitable trade routes throughout the World, and tense political situations. East India Company is based on the exploits and adventures of the infamous 18th century East India Companies. Developed by Finland based Nitro Games Ltd., players will enjoy building the World's largest trading empire and engaging in vigorous battles within a breathtaking cinematic game environment, in both single player and multiplayer modes. Scheduled to release in Q4 2008 for the PC, East India Company promises to take strategy war-games to new levels with its technically advanced proprietary game engine. Players will fight, manage and rule nations from Europe to the Far East.

"We are very pleased to have reached a worldwide publishing agreement with Lighthouse Interactive and are looking forward to working with them on this title. We believe East India Company is a game that will redefine the strategy war-game genre," said Antti Villanen, CEO of Nitro Games. "Lighthouse Interactive's history of successfully released games is impressive. We think they are the ideal partner for us to bring East India Company to the market."

Erik Schreuder, CEO of Lighthouse Interactive said, "We are very excited to add such a fantastic strategy war-game to our growing line-up of quality titles. The game is phenomenal with its breathtaking graphics and cinematics, ranged gameplay scope, and intriguing historic storyline, we are proud to present East India Company to gamers around the World."

In East India Company, players will assume the role of Governor Director of one of the East India Companies or other rival companies. There are eight nationalities to choose from: British, Dutch, French, Danish, Portuguese, Swedish, Italian or Spanish – with the goal of bringing new colonies and wealth such as: tea, spices, gold, diamonds and other precious cargo back to Europe, but they must dominate the other rival empires along the way. Wars will be waged and blood will be spilled. Players will also conquer the open sea and explore 40 different cities, towns and villages.

Starting modestly, you will build your fleet, establish connections to far away countries, and keep the rivaling nations at bay. Choose from an array of ship classes and types of transport and military vessels: small sloops, schooners, brigantines, frigates and ship-of-the-line. Create different fleets and assign them to specific trading routes. Controlling well situated ports and upgrading them is one key to success.

Conflicts and wars are inevitable. When hostile fleets engage each other, the spectacular naval battles are fought at a real-time tactical level. Devastating broadsides are fired with a deafening roar and cannon balls tear through enemy ships and their crew. At a tactical level, you have direct command over your ship and give independent orders to each of your other fleets. Fight against the other European powers to create a trading empire that will rule above all others!

Features :

Fight!

• Declare war on rival empires fought at a real-time tactical level
• Command ships and fleets independently
• Wage war on the vast open sea
• Sink your rivals' ship or board them to take control in bloody hand-to-hand combat

Manage!

• Hire and manage your own crew
• Buy guns and ammo
• Repair and upgrade your ships at port
• Buy and sell goods
• Establish profitable trading routes
• Open diplomatic relations or declare war
• Negotiate tense political situations

Rule!

• Lead the most powerful company in history
• Take over colonies and expand your empire
• Build a powerful fleet to rule the seas
• Conquer strategic ports
• Accomplish tasks ordered by your company or the Crown

Multiplayer (Internet or LAN) Features:

• Supports up to 8 simultaneous players
• Player statistics tracked on the EIC game server
• Raise your ranking by thwarting your opponents
• Head-to-head missions are a true test of strategic skill

East India Company is developed by Nitro Games, previously known as Encore Games, and is scheduled for release Q4 2008.