SPWaW release announcement

[Paul Vebber]

MATRIX GAMES PRESS RELEASE
Steel Panthers World At War Release Date Set for May 8th
CD-ROM Distribution Plans

April 17th, 2000, Staten Island, New York, From Matrix Games President, David Heath:



This is going to be a different type of press release. It's really more of an open letter to the gamers who are waiting for the release of Steel Panthers World At War. This letter will explain why we have waited so long in getting this information out.

What is going on!
The saga of Steel Panthers World at War is finally building to a climax! Some time ago, we entered into negotiations with The Learning Company, owners of SSI, with the goal of licensing Steel Panthers and some other SSI titles so we could develop new versions of some of our favorite games. SSI provided us with the source code and we went ahead and developed a new version of Steel Panthers from the ground up. During SPWAW development Mattel went ahead and bought The Learning Company (and with it SSI) and a new set of negotiations was called for.

Mattel worked with us and we tried every way possible to get a licensing agreement on these SSI titles that we wanted to redesign and develop, but the end result was that we were only allowed to distribute the games as a free download. This would not be a problem except that the size of the game had become 200-300MB, requiring CD-ROM distribution. By the time our talks with Mattel started our efforts had greatly expanded the sound libraries and graphics associated with the game. It had been assumed that a CD would be sold at a minimum cost with a option of a free download as well.

I want to make it clear that Mattel worked as best as it could with us and we feel that Mattel's decision to divest itself of The Learning Company/SSI was possibly a reason behind Mattel turning down our deal. We are greatly in the debt of Terry Coleman of SSI for assisting us in our dealings with Mattel. Without his help, the deal could have fallen through entirely.

A Solution
After spending a good deal of time working on a solution, I contacted William Trotter of PC Gamer [url="http://www.pcgamer.com,"]http://www.pcgamer.com,[/url] Scott Udell and Bob Mayer of Computer Games Online [url="http://www.cdmag.com,"]http://www.cdmag.com,[/url] and Tracy Byrl Baker of Computer Gaming World http://cgw.gamespot.com. Discussions with the magazines, assisted by those named above, resulted in agreement to put a complete, stand alone version of SPWAW on their magazine CD-ROMs. This version of SPWAW will require no other games to allow you to play. Each magazine's CD-ROM version will have at least one exclusive scenario. Look for SPWAW starting in the July, August and/or September issues of those magazines!

Its Official!
On Monday May 8th 2000 we will release the game to the public as a download, commemorating the 55th anniversary of VE Day. The game will be available from both The Gamers Net http://www.thegamers.net and The Wargamer www.wargamer.com. Additional information can be found at our web site @ http://www.matrixgames.com/spwaw. We have not forgotten European Gamers but the loss of Cyber-Stratege has left us looking for an alternative! If you know of one please let me know at davidh@matrixgames.com. I, on behalf of Matrix Games, would like to thank you for your support and thank all the gentlemen listed above for their efforts in helping us make SPWAW available to everyone.
Thank you!


Thank you!

David Heath


About Matrix Games
Matrix Games is a gaming company that produces, markets and publishes online Internet computer games and other computer game products. Matrix Games is based in Staten Island, New York For more information visit the company’s website at http://www.matrixgames.com

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Daniel Heath
Media Relations and New Market Development http://www.matrixgames.com
danielh@matrixgames.com



[This message has been edited by David Heath (edited 04-18-2000).]

[Recon_slith]

AH HA!

Well, if it isn't the proverbial Good Idea. Matrix gets free distribution via the mags and the mags get a huge selling plus for having the game on the magazine CD's.
And if you can't wait you can always try the download instead. Either way it's practically free. Someone has been using the old grey matter I see.
Outstanding.


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Wait for Death. There's a choice?
Recon

[David Heath]

As the saying goes I am dancing as fast as I can <VBG>. I will say this just wait until you see our next few press releases.

[O de B]

Hello gentlemen.
I'm worried about what you call 'the loss of Cyber-Stratege'. What happened exactly ? has the magazine gone bankrupt ?
Anyway i'm looking forward the release of SPWaW !
Thanks.

[DEF_BUNGIS]

Well, it looks like I will be getting my gozilla warmed up.

I'm sending a blank CD to Matix anyway.
Along with $5.00 for shipping.
I won't say anything.

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Better to make the wrong decision than be the sorry son of a bitch to scared to make one at all.

[Big.Toe]

Would sending a CD to Matrix be acceptable? I reckon it sounds like a good idea, better than downloading 200-300meg any way.

[Paul Vebber]

PLEASE DON'T send us CDs or money (well not yet...

We have no way to handle keeping track of such a thing and once we do it for one - the flood gates opena and we spend all our time returning packages to the Psot Office.

DO NOT SEND US CD's !!! They will be returned and in the process delay real work!!!

[troopie]

At Last! At Last! Xenophon and his ten thousand run to their computers crying "SPW@W! SPW@W!"

troopie

[DEF_BUNGIS]

Ooops...didn't mean to be a trouble maker here,......well....yes I did.

I guess I can chip away at the stone on this thing and still have the down load 2 months before the gaming magazines distribution.

FULL SPEED AHEAD!

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Better to make the wrong decision than be the sorry son of a bitch to scared to make one at all.