ENGAGE games online offers "Claw" to players; gaming service has exclusive on-line rights to Monolith's newest game

Business Wire, June 26, 1997

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 26, 1997--Expanding its selection of the hottest games available on the Internet, ENGAGE games online has claimed the exclusive on-line rights to "Claw."

The newest game from Monolith Productions, developers of the popular game "Blood," "Claw" is the world's first arcade-style action/adventure game capable of supporting up to 64 players at a time.

Available on ENGAGE later this summer, the on-line version of "Claw" will have exclusive levels that are not available on the retail version of the title. "Claw" is an action-packed high resolution platform game that contains an intriguing storyline and characters, beautifully hand-illustrated graphics and challenging gameplay.

"ENGAGE's goal is to offer the best titles in every category of games," said Jeff Leibowitz, president of ENGAGE. "`Claw,' a visually stunning title with first-rate gameplay, uniquely combines the popular side-scrolling action of many console games with a clever and challenging plot and quest."

Racing against time, players must help Captain Claw, the greatest pirate of the Animalian Lore Realms, escape from the Cocker Spaniards and complete his quest for the missing gems of the Amulet of Nine Lives. Players will face nearly 40 enemies as they uncover hidden treasures, and employ competitive tactics, skillful combat and strategy to defeat arch-nemesis Red-Tail and complete the quest.

The on-line version will allow players to cast curses on other players to hinder their play and strategically advance in the game.

"`Claw' is the world's first `massively multiplayer' platform game. We wanted to work with an on-line service committed to bringing the best, most diverse selection of multiplayer games to their audience," said Jason Hall, chief executive officer of Monolith Productions. "ENGAGE was the perfect fit."

Monolith Productions is a game development and media services company located in Kirkland, Wash. The company has two divisions: Monolith Games (games include "Blood," "Claw," "Riot," and "Alternate Reality Online"), and Monolith Studios, which offers 3-D scanning, rendering, motion capture, animation, audio/video and multimedia engineering services for use in television and film, software, architecture, engineering, science, etc.

Visit the Monolith Productions Web site at http://www.lith.com -0-

ENGAGE games online provides the world's most popular multiplayer games via the Internet and most major on-line services, including: "Descent," "Warcraft II," "Rolemaster: Magestorm," "SplatterBall," "Darkness Falls," "Virtual Pool," "Castles II: Siege and Conquest," "Billboard Live! Trivia," "Rolemaster: The Bladelands," "Blood" and many more.

ENGAGE is more than just an on-line game service, and there is no monthly subscription fee required to play. ENGAGE is a community of gamers of all levels, with standard and low-latency access, chat rooms, bulletin boards and the widest variety of games of any major on-line games service. ENGAGE games online can be accessed at http://www.engagegames.com

CONTACT: Miller/Shandwick Technologies, Los Angeles

Kristin Thomson, 310/203-0550

kthomson@miller.shandwick.com