The highly anticipated combat racing game set in ancient Rome to begin arriving in stores this week

Los Angeles, CA - February 26, 2002 - Encore today announced that the highly anticipated Circus Maximus: Chariot Wars for the XboxT video game system from Microsoft has begun shipping. This combat-racing game - which captures the power and excitement of chariot racing during the glory days of ancient Rome - is expected to be on store shelves at leading videogame retailers nationwide beginning this week. The "Teen" rated game will retail for approximately $50.

"Circus Maximus: Chariot Wars has been highly praised for its unique theme and exciting gameplay," said Michael Bell, chairman and CEO of Encore. "No other game combines racing, combat and multiplayer action - all in the cool setting of ancient Rome. The response from gamers, editors and the retail community has been remarkable, so this launch is especially exciting."

"This game represents years of work and an unbelievable commitment from the Circus Maximus team, " said George Metos, chairman of Utah-based Kodiak Interactive Studios. "Kodiak (formerly known as Sculptured Software) has developed some terrific games - from Star Wars®: Empire Strikes BackT and Super Star Wars®: Return of the JediT to Jack Nicklaus Golf T and the Mortal Kombat® series. As Kodiak’s operations wind down, we are proud that our final game is of the high quality and blockbuster status that fans have come to expect from Kodiak."

Race, Fight and Conquer

Seven huge environments throughout the Roman Empire - Germania, Rome, Cyprus, Britannia, Alexandria, Circus Maximus and the Circus of Nero - are the setting for 19 different tracks, each with their own unique characteristics (terrain, weather conditions, shortcuts, etc.). Competitors choose their track, chariot, driver, warrior and difficulty setting, and then race to the finish line, using skill and strategy to avoid obstacles, outwit competing teams and battle against other chariots. As they play, they must keep balanced on a chariot that is careening down narrow uneven roads, tracks and bridges.

Adding to the excitement is the players’ ability to control both the driver and the warrior. The driver maneuvers the chariots and guides the stallions as they charge through the twisting terrain, while the warrior fights with a signature weapon and shield. Competitors can take on opponent teams with as many as 22 different characters.

In multi-player mode, up to four people can play, either two-person head-to-head or four-person co-op. "This ability to compete cooperatively with your friends sets Circus Maximus: Chariot Wars apart from its competition," said Tony Simerman, the game’s producer. "What makes this game really fun is seeing friends’ reactions when you knock your opponent over a 1,000-foot cliff or land a finishing attack in front of the mob in ancient Rome."

Other unique features in the game are a 43-minute original sound track; hundreds of driver, warrior, horse and chariot team combinations; a training mode where players can improve their skills in areas ranging from use of weaponry to steering their horses; additional race modes (arcade, multiplayer and career); special unlocks; multiple weapons; and numerous power-ups and hidden secrets.