NDL and Firaxis Games Expand Relationship

Emergent | SAN FRANCISCO and CHAPEL HILL, N.C., (March 10, 2005) - NDL, the leading independent developer of 3D graphics technology for the computer and video game industry, today announced from the 2005 Game Developers Conference (GDC) that its Gamebryo^® 3D graphics engine and toolkit is being used by Firaxis Games in the creation of Sid Meier's Civilization IV^®. Firaxis is expanding its relationship with NDL based on the company's recent success using Gamebryo in the development of the critically acclaimed Sid Meier's Pirates!^®

"Gamebryo is the technology that enables our development team to create the stunning graphics and outstanding gameplay that have become the hallmark of our titles," said Sid Meier, director of creative development at Firaxis. "Gamebryo provides a flexible graphics engine and comprehensive set of tools for special effects and shader support that bring that extra level of polish to our games."

Using the Gamebryo graphics engine, Firaxis will deliver new 3D graphics, advanced multiplayer gameplay and stunning new features to the next iteration of the Sid Meier's Civilization series. To be published by Take-Two's publishing label 2K Games in late 2005, Sid Meier's Civilization IV^® will continue its great design and award-winning originality while adding new challenges and game-play experiences.

"Firaxis' decision to use Gamebryo in Sid Meier's Civilization IV^® marks the beginning of a very exciting 2005," said John Austin, president and chief executive officer of NDL. "Sid Meier's Pirates!^® is one of the best looking Gamebryo titles to date and we are excited to further develop our relationship with Firaxis. By developing titles in two different genres with two completely unique graphic environments, Firaxis continues to demonstrate the versatility and flexibility of the Gamebryo engine."

A wide range of genres, visual styles and platforms are represented in Gamebryo-powered titles created by top-tier developers and publishers. Current and upcoming titles include Sid Meier's Pirates! for the Xbox, developed by Firaxis and published by Atari; Empire Earth^® 2, developed by Mad Doc^® Software and published by Vivendi Universal Games; Freedom Force vs. The Third Reich, developed by Irrational Games and published by Vivendi Universal Games and Imperator, developed and published by Mythic Entertainment.

About Firaxis Games

Firaxis Games, founded in 1996 by veteran gaming executive Jeff Briggs, is one of the world's premier independent game development studios, and home of legendary designer Sid Meier. Headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland, FIRAXIS has created some of the most successful and award-winning PC games on the market. The company's most recent hit titles include: Sid Meier's Pirates! (published by Atari), Sid Meier's SimGolf (published by Electronic Arts); and the blockbuster hit series Sid Meier's Civilization III (published by Atari). Firaxis has a rich history of great games including: Sid Meier's Gettysburg!, Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri, Sid Meier's Alien Crossfire and Sid Meier's Antietam!. For more information on Firaxis Games visit www.firaxis.com.

About NDL

NDL, headquartered in Chapel Hill, N.C., is an independent developer of highly flexible 3D graphics software used by leading game publishers and developers such as Atari, Vivendi Universal Games, JoWooD Productions, Firaxis, Mythic Entertainment, Bethesda Softworks, and Irrational Games. The company's flagship product, the Gamebryo graphics engine and toolkit, is the culmination of two decades of 3D graphics expertise. Developers using NDL's Gamebryo can spend their time making Windows, Xbox^®, PlayStation^®2, and GameCube^® games look great and play well, saving time and money in the process. To learn more, please visit www.ndl.com.

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Firaxis Games^® and Sid Meier's Pirates! ^®are Registered Trademarks of Firaxis Games, Inc.

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