Activision Announces Follow-up Game to Best-Selling Civilization®: Call To Power

UK London, - February 15, 2000 - This fall armies clash, empires crumble and the balance of power shifts -- all with the click of a mouse in Activision, Inc.'s (Nasdaq: ATVI) empire building game, Call to Power II. From the makers of the best-selling Civilization: Call to Power, Call to Power II puts players in total control of a civilization spanning more than six millennia.

Call to Power II gives players control over an empire from primitive beginnings into the sci-fi future of 2300AD. Gamers will command powerful armies and employ 6300 years' worth of weaponry, politics, exploration and cultural evolution to defend their empire and defeat enemies as they strive for supremacy.

Expanding upon the well-established gameplay of Civilization: Call to Power and other games in the genre, Call to Power II offers players several new governing tools, diplomatic options and trade features. The player's diplomatic strategy will play a large role in the development of their civilization, as enemy states will survey the diplomatic landscape before attacking or forming their own alliances. A robust diplomacy interface will assist players in choosing their political stance, and allow counter proposals when dealing with other civilizations. Players who are inexperienced in managing an entire civilization may consult their ministers and advisors who will offer advice and make recommendations.

Visually, Call to Power II makes use of the same eye-popping engine as its predecessor, but with a number of innovative features and enhancements. Cities' influence over the surrounding landscape increases as their populations grow. Borders between neighboring states are clearly defined to help prevent inadvertent skirmishes or international incidents. A historical timeline gives players a holistic perspective on their civilization's achievements over the centuries, and many units are presented with new graphics and animations.

Combat in Call to Power II has been refined and rebalanced for more realistic outcomes. Distinct AI personalities take the challenge to new levels and give computer opponents more realism when negotiating treaties or on the field of battle. Elite modern units like marines will have a clear tactical superiority over more primitive units like warriors and hoplites. Unconventional warfare rules have also been revised to give players more options for strategic decisions. Players who prefer a more passive approach to empire building can focus their civilization's resources on higher goals such as developing the principles of law, technology or science and can attain glory by constructing wonders.

The interfaces and menus in Call to Power II have also been improved to simplify gameplay. The enhanced city management screen features automated mayors that help administrate the day-to-day operations of individual cities, and the game's improved build queue menus allow players to amass armies or build their cities' infrastructure with ease.

Call to Power II features more ways to win to appeal to different styles of play. Players who choose to develop an aggressive civilization can achieve victory through military conquest. Conversely, gamers who prefer a more subtle approach can achieve dominance through scientific means.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted revenues of $436 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999.

Activision maintains operations in the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, The Netherlands and Belgium. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site, which is located at http://www.activision.com.