For Immediate Release

Contact: press@bethsoft.com

Bethesda Softworks(TM) to Publish Mythos Games Title, The Dreamland Chronicles: Freedom Ridge(TM)

Creators of the Original X-COM Develop Next Generation of Strategic and Tactical Combat

February 28, 2000 (Rockville, MD) -- Bethesda Softworks proudly announced today that it will publish the upcoming turn-based strategy game The Dreamland Chronicles: Freedom Ridge. Developed by Mythos Games, the renowned UK-based studio responsible for classic titles such as X-COM and Magic & Mayhem, The Dreamland Chronicles: Freedom Ridge brings Mythos’ years of experience together with cutting-edge 3D graphics and physics to create the studio’s most stunning game yet. Featuring intense combat, strategic planning, and an involved storyline, Freedom Ridge promises to deliver the kind of addictive, innovative gameplay fans have come to expect from Mythos.

"Freedom Ridge is really an effort to take everything we've learned from doing this kind of game for the last 15 years and turn it into something groundbreaking," said Julian Gollop, lead designer for Freedom Ridge. "We wanted to create a game that not only builds on some popular core concepts that we've used before, but also adds new elements and features that help us push the boundaries of what's been done and seen before."

Set in the near future, Freedom Ridge uses themes from classic science fiction and modern UFO conspiracy theories to create an enthralling backdrop for the gameplay. After a devastating 70-day war against alien invaders the human race finds itself on the brink of extinction. With the military forces and governments of the world in ruins the player commands humanity's last hope -- a resistance force known as the Terran Liberation Army. Starting with a meager supply of captured weapons and technology the player must drive back the invaders and free the Earth from alien domination.

Throughout the game, players will take part in a deep, involving plot and uncover the truth about Area 51, alien abductions, and the mysterious Men in Black. Players must create new bases to supply forces, protect the surviving civilian population, and fight for every resource they need, since money is now worthless. Working with anything from scavenged F16 aircraft and M16s to mystifying alien technology, troops will need to master all manner of weaponry and vehicles for tactical squad-based combat against alien foes at hotspots around the globe.

"Mythos Games is known for creating strategy games that redefine how gamers look at a particular genre," said Vlatko Andonov, president of Bethesda Softworks. "The original X-COM changed the way we looked at turn-based games, and Magic & Mayhem turned real-time strategy gaming on its ear. We believe Freedom Ridge is going to have an even greater impact."

The Dreamland Chronicles: Freedom Ridge is scheduled for release in Q2 2001 on the PC and Playstation 2 (pending approval from Sony). For information on the European release of Freedom Ridge, contact Virgin Interactive.

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