| NWN:
Hordes of the Underdark Press Release |
Atari
(Nasdaq:ATAR - News) and BioWare Corp., under license from Hasbro, Inc.,
are set to expand the award-winning 'Neverwinter Nights'(TM), the best-selling,
fantasy roleplaying game based in the 'Forgotten Realms'® world
from Wizards of the Coast's classic 'Dungeons & Dragons'® game.
Following the release of the first official expansion pack, 'Neverwinter
Nights: Shadows of Undrentide'(TM) in June, 'Neverwinter Nights: Hordes
of the Underdark'(TM) pits players in a battle to save the embattled
city of Waterdeep from an ancient evil buried deep within the earth
and stone of Undermountain. 'Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark'
is scheduled for release this November.
Atari
Announces "Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark''
Award-Winning "Neverwinter
Nights"(TM) Universe Expands With New Campaign, Epic Levels, Prestige
Classes, Creatures, Spells and More
LOS ANGELES -- Aug.
15, 2003-- Atari (Nasdaq:ATAR - News) and BioWare Corp., under license
from Hasbro, Inc., are set to expand the award-winning "Neverwinter
Nights"(TM), the best-selling, fantasy roleplaying game based in
the "Forgotten Realms"® world from Wizards of the Coast's
classic "Dungeons & Dragons"® game. Following the
release of the first official expansion pack, "Neverwinter Nights:
Shadows of Undrentide"(TM) in June, "Neverwinter Nights: Hordes
of the Underdark"(TM) pits players in a battle to save the embattled
city of Waterdeep from an ancient evil buried deep within the earth
and stone of Undermountain. "Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the
Underdark" is scheduled for release this November.
"By combining
classic elements of a traditional pen and paper gaming experience with
the action and excitement of an interactive adventure, `Neverwinter
Nights' has changed the very nature of roleplaying games," said
Steve Allison, vice president of marketing for Atari, Inc.'s Los Angeles
studio. "`Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark' will expand
on those great gameplay elements with an extensive new single-player
campaign and a host of exciting new options allowing players to create
their own adventures with the Neverwinter Nights Aurora Toolset."
"Neverwinter
Nights: Hordes of the Underdark" will include a new 20-hour single-player
campaign, designed for high-level characters and set amidst the famous
city of Waterdeep and the foreboding Underdark from the D&D®
game's "Forgotten Realms" campaign setting. "Hordes of
the Underdark" will significantly expand upon the "Neverwinter
Nights" universe, most notably with the addition of Epic Level
gameplay. Based upon the rules published by Wizards of the Coast in
the D&D game supplement, "Epic Level Handbook"(TM), Epic
Levels will be available for characters who have reached level 20, allowing
them to advance as far as level 40.
In addition, "Neverwinter
Nights: Hordes of the Underdark" will introduce several new prestige
classes, including the Shifter, a druidic class specializing in shape
shifting; dozens of new feats, such as Epic Reputation, Craft Weapon
and Armor Skin; a multitude of new weapons and spells, many designed
solely for epic level characters; challenging new creatures pulled straight
out of the Underdark, including Mind Flayers, Beholders and Driders;
several new character voice sets for even greater character customization;
and 17 new epic soundtracks from composer Jeremy Soule.
"Neverwinter
Nights: Hordes of the Underdark" will expand on the already massive
`Neverwinter Nights' franchise by adding a number of features requested
by the extensive fan community," said Dr. Greg Zeschuk, BioWare
Corp. joint CEO and Co-Executive Producer of "Neverwinter Nights:
Hordes of the Underdark." "The inclusion of Epic Levels alone
should open up great new ways for people to play the game and create
their own high-level adventures, further extending the value of their
original game purchase," added Ray Muzyka, BioWare Corp. joint
CEO and Co-Executive Producer.
"Neverwinter
Nights: Hordes of the Underdark" will equip module makers with
two new tilesets and additional content for the Neverwinter Nights Aurora
Toolset, the groundbreaking software included with the full game that
allows players to create their own universes, quests and storylines.
The two new tilesets will be based around the new campaign and will
include exciting new features specific to certain denizens of the Underdark
itself.
"Neverwinter
Nights: Hordes of the Underdark" is scheduled for release in November
2003. Additional information about "Neverwinter Nights: Hordes
of the Underdark" can be found online at www.bioware.com.
Ed. note:
Legal info is not listed here.
