Microsoft Makes Minority Investment In SingleTrac Entertainment Technologies in a Multititle Deal
Top Games Company to Create Windows 95-Based Titles for Microsoft
REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 9, 1996 — Underscoring its commitment to PC games, Microsoft Corp. today announced its first-ever equity investment in a games developer, SingleTrac Entertainment Technologies, Inc. of Salt Lake City, Utah. The relationship creates a multititle, long-term deal with exclusive PC publishing rights for Microsoft. SingleTrac is the developer of the hit console games Twisted Metal TM and WarHawk TM .
Under the co-publishing agreement, Microsoft gains worldwide distribution rights to several new game titles to be developed by SingleTrac for the PC; each new title will leverage SingleTrac's expertise in creating advanced interactive 3-D game play and in taking full advantage of PC power for a totally immersive experience. The games will also be enhanced by SingleTrac's extensive knowledge of networked game play, enabling players to compete or cooperate within compelling 3-D environments.
The deal, coming just three months after Microsoft unveiled 11 games titles at the industry's annual Electronics Entertainment Expo (E 3 ) trade show, signals the company's unprecedented and expanding commitment to the PC games arena.
"We promised the industry that we're serious about delivering the broadest, most exciting range of PC games available anywhere," said Ed Fries, general manager of the games group at Microsoft. "Our partnership with SingleTrac - one of the hottest names in the industry - is the latest step in delivering on that promise. SingleTrac's innovative development of advanced real-time 3-D graphics allows Microsoft to continue to make exciting PC games available to games fans across the world."
"Our partnership with Microsoft represents the best of both worlds," said Mike Ryder, chairman and president of SingleTrac. "We're now backed by the best worldwide distribution and marketing clout of any games publisher in the industry. And Microsoft's investment gives us an equity boost while letting us retain the flexibility and autonomy to deliver unique, heart-pounding games."
In just two years, SingleTrac has broken new ground in the interactive entertainment marketplace and has established itself as a premier creator of next-generation games. Its first two titles, Twisted Metal and WarHawk, are among the most critically acclaimed titles for the Sony PlayStation. In addition, Electronic Gaming Monthly named Twisted Metal as the publication's 1995 Game of the Year.
Microsoft and SingleTrac together will build upon this innovation and success by developing PC games that take real-time 3-D graphics to the next level in both technology and design, resulting in unparalleled adrenaline-pumping action games.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT" ) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Twisted Metal and WarHawk are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment America, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.
Under the co-publishing agreement, Microsoft gains worldwide distribution rights to several new game titles to be developed by SingleTrac for the PC; each new title will leverage SingleTrac's expertise in creating advanced interactive 3-D game play and in taking full advantage of PC power for a totally immersive experience. The games will also be enhanced by SingleTrac's extensive knowledge of networked game play, enabling players to compete or cooperate within compelling 3-D environments.
The deal, coming just three months after Microsoft unveiled 11 games titles at the industry's annual Electronics Entertainment Expo (E 3 ) trade show, signals the company's unprecedented and expanding commitment to the PC games arena.
"We promised the industry that we're serious about delivering the broadest, most exciting range of PC games available anywhere," said Ed Fries, general manager of the games group at Microsoft. "Our partnership with SingleTrac - one of the hottest names in the industry - is the latest step in delivering on that promise. SingleTrac's innovative development of advanced real-time 3-D graphics allows Microsoft to continue to make exciting PC games available to games fans across the world."
"Our partnership with Microsoft represents the best of both worlds," said Mike Ryder, chairman and president of SingleTrac. "We're now backed by the best worldwide distribution and marketing clout of any games publisher in the industry. And Microsoft's investment gives us an equity boost while letting us retain the flexibility and autonomy to deliver unique, heart-pounding games."
In just two years, SingleTrac has broken new ground in the interactive entertainment marketplace and has established itself as a premier creator of next-generation games. Its first two titles, Twisted Metal and WarHawk, are among the most critically acclaimed titles for the Sony PlayStation. In addition, Electronic Gaming Monthly named Twisted Metal as the publication's 1995 Game of the Year.
Microsoft and SingleTrac together will build upon this innovation and success by developing PC games that take real-time 3-D graphics to the next level in both technology and design, resulting in unparalleled adrenaline-pumping action games.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT" ) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Twisted Metal and WarHawk are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment America, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.