Sports Interactive breaks the ice with SEGA Europe

Sports Interactive, a leading developer of sports management computer games, today announced an agreement granting SEGA Europe Ltd the worldwide rights to publish a new ice hockey-based management game 'Eastside Hockey Manager: Franchise Edition' (working title), for the PC.

Developed at Sports Interactive's Islington offices by a team of ice hockey fanatics led by Risto 'Riz' Remes (creator of the original, freeware, Eastside Hockey Manager), Eastside Hockey Manager: Franchise Edition will bring all of the depth and realism which fans of Sports Interactive's football management games have come to expect to a sport which rivals football in popularity in many countries.

Miles Jacobson, Managing Director of Sports Interactive, commented: "Having looked long and hard at the numerous publishing options we were presented with, we chose SEGA as we believe it is perfectly placed to help Eastside Hockey Manager: Franchise Edition secure the global recognition it deserves. Riz and his team have done a truly outstanding job in making this game and it's now up to us now to make sure that every ice hockey fan in the world knows that it is out there and waiting for them."

Matthew Woodley, European Marketing Director for SEGA Europe Ltd., added: "SI's proven heritage in football management games is unquestioned. Extending that experience to other sports is a natural progression for this exceptionally talented team, and we are delighted to be working with such a premier league developer. This signing also marks our continued drive to expand our games portfolio, particularly in the PC arena."

Eastside Hockey Manager: Franchise Edition will be Sports Interactive's first non-football game, and is due to be released in late Q1 2004. The game will feature a detailed and realistic game engine with in-depth ice hockey content including numerous leagues, players with detailed statistics and personalities and full management features for trading, drafts and transactions.