Press release: 1996-09-11: Acclaim Entertainment casts a spell on the gaming world with MAGIC: THE GATHERING - BATTLEMAGE

This is an unaltered copy of a press release, for use as a primary source on Sega Retro. Please do not edit the contents below. Language: English third-party Original source: Acclaim Nation (archived)

Multi-Player, Real-Time Action/Strategy Game Based on Best-Selling Card Game Ships in November for the PC, Saturn and PlayStation

GLEN COVE, N.Y., Sept. 11, 1996 - Seeking to enchant a gaming audience of more than 5 million existing Magic: The GatheringÆ players, Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKLM) today announced it will be shipping Magic: The Gathering® - BattleMage(tm), a new game based on the fantasy adventure world of the immensely popular collectible card game phenomenon created by Wizards of the Coast. The game will be available in November for Windows 95, Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn.

Magic: The Gathering®, which has sold more than 2 billion cards worldwide, is a battle of wits and wizardry that pits two or more players in head-to-head combat, using cards representing various spells, creatures and enchantments. Acclaim's Magic: The Gathering - BattleMage offers gamers a multi-player, real-time gaming experience that brings to life the astonishing artwork, strategy, spells and creatures from the fantasy adventure world of the original card game and the Mirage(tm)expansion set with all the action of today's hottest multi-player action/strategy games.

"Wizards of the Coast has created a worldwide gaming phenomenon, and we're extremely excited to work with them to bring the fantasy adventure universe of Magic: The Gathering to the digital world," said Marty Bradt, marketing director at Acclaim Entertainment. "We've taken elements of the incredibly popular Magic: The Gathering universe and moved them a step further by adding real-time gameplay and multi-player capabilities. We believe these enhancements will make Magic: The Gathering - BattleMage instantly popular not only with Magic: The Gathering fans, but also with computer and console gamers across the board."

"Acclaim has developed an incredible game that's worthy of the Magic: The Gathering name," said Rick Arons, vice president for Magic: The Gathering at Wizards of the Coast. "We've worked closely with Acclaim, and we know they are perfectly suited to produce a game that parallels the creativity, excitement and intrigue of the Magic: The Gathering universe."

In Acclaim's Magic: The Gathering - BattleMage, players assume the role of one of six planeswalkers, extremely powerful wizards from the Magic: The Gathering universe, and challenge other planeswalkers in a fast-paced, real-time battle for ultimate supremacy.

The game graphically interprets the creatures, artifacts and enchantments from the Fourth Edition, plus additional creatures, spells and artifacts from the upcoming Mirage expansion set. Six never-before-playable legendary characters from the Magic: The Gathering universe also will be included. Players face off on one of 30 richly detailed battlefields of varying terrains that dramatize the landscape environments of the game. The spells, artifacts, enchantments and creatures are enhanced with stunning graphics, and each creature summoned in the game can be individually commanded to attack the enemy or defend against an oncoming assault.

"Magic: The Gathering players will now be able to see and control the creatures they summon, and the effects of spells they cast, on screen rather than in their imagination," said Bradt. "The real-time gameplay and striking 3D environment immerse players into the action and drama of these magical duels. Strategies such as using the terrain to protect a weak flank from sneak attack, or luring enemy forces into a deadly trap, add a dimension to the game that players won't be able to find anywhere else."

Acclaim's Magic: The Gathering - BattleMage offers gamers two modes of play: "Duel Mode" allows players to build a customized library of spells, artifacts and enchantments, and duel against the computer. The built-in multi-player feature allows up to four players to duel via serial connection, local area network, modem or the Internet. Up to four Sony PlayStation gamers can take advantage of the game's innovative split-screen feature by connecting two consoles using a serial cable.

Players can also engage in "Campaign Mode," searching or conquering territories, accumulating magical artifacts and spells and interacting with more than 90 beings from the Magic: The Gathering universe in the midst of an epic battle. These encounters can be beneficial, providing players with silver, spells, artifacts and clues; or malevolent, such as encounters with other planeswalkers, often resulting in a magical duel. Campaign Mode changes each time it is played, and new spells may be found with each encounter, resulting in hundreds of hours of gameplay and a high replay factor.

Acclaim also plans to release Expansion Packs, which will add new missions and sub-plots to the Campaign Mode and keep Magic: The Gathering - BattleMage current with new Magic: The Gathering expansion sets. Expansion packs will be available in 1997.

Additional information about Acclaim's Magic: The Gathering - BattleMage will be found on the company's dedicated Magic: The Gathering Web site currently under construction. There, Magic fans will view and download screen shots from the game, download a playable demo (available in November), read more about the game's multi-player features, get official updates on the game's release and much more.

Acclaim's Magic: The Gathering - BattleMage is set in Dominaria, the world popularized in The Duelist magazine published by Wizards of the Coast and dozens of novels and stories. The game, developed by Seattle-based RealTime Associates, all of whom are avid Magic: The Gathering players, is produced by Acclaim Entertainment.

Acclaim Entertainment, Inc., a leading worldwide publisher of software for Nintendo, Sega, Sony and personal computer hardware systems, also publishes comic books under various imprints. In addition, Acclaim develops coin-operated arcade and ticket-redemption games; operates blue screen and motion capture studios; and, through A.D.I., globally sells and distributes products from a variety of entertainment software publishers including Interplay, Marvel, Pulse Entertainment, Sunsoft and Take 2 Interactive. Acclaim has a joint venture with Tele-Communications, Inc. for electronically distributed interactive entertainment.