Titanic: Challenge of Discovery

A Dramatic Game of Deep-sea Exploration from the Man Who Discovered Titanic.

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Panasonic Interactive Media Launches New "Titanic: Challenge of Discovery" CD-ROM

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 24, 1998-- New Interactive Game Designed in Conjunction with Dr. Robert Ballard, Famed Undersea Explorer Who Discovered the R.M.S.Titanic

Panasonic Interactive Media announces the availability of "Titanic: Challenge of Discovery(TM)" ($29.99 SRP), the new 3D adventure-simulation PC game.

Widely available on August 24, this new CD-ROM lets players control their own interactive undersea expedition in search of the R.M.S. Titanic, the WWII warship, the Bismarck, and the ancient Roman tradeship, the Isis.

The R.M.S. Titanic lay in its cold, watery grave for 73 years until Dr. Robert Ballard discovered it on Sept. 1, 1985. Since then his dream has been to find a way to capture the thrill of true discovery and be able to share it with others.

"My main goal for this CD-ROM was to bring alive all the challenges, intense excitement and triumphs that I experienced during my many voyages of undersea exploration," noted Dr. Ballard. "New, powerful interactive technologies now make this dream possible. I believe we have succeeded in making a unique product that is truly immersive, challenging and authentic."

Titanic: Challenge of Discovery is a unique interactive simulation game that uses the latest 3-D imaging technology and a first-person perspective to bring vibrant immediacy to the player's experience. Now computer users can experience what it takes to mount their own deep sea explorations.

Players begin by selecting their equipment such as specialized marine maps, remote operated vehicles, sonar systems and a towed underwater camera. They assemble a crew of specialists each with their own skill set and temperament. Then, once at sea, players must master their technology and overcome a variety of real-life challenges including changing weather conditions, strong ocean currents, and the threat of a mutinous crew.

Diving miles beneath the sea in a virtual 3D high-tech submersible, players will make breathtaking discoveries if they've put together a successful mission.

Historically accurate reconstructions of the shipwreck sites and 3D animation sequences of the last voyages of the Bismarck, the Isis and the R.M.S. Titanic provide further information. The new CD-ROM is packed with comprehensive popular science information and color images about deep-sea exploration.

"Titanic: Challenge of Discovery is an awesome product that provides a truly authentic experience. We believe the game appeals to computer players of all ages by touching that inner sense of adventure and desire to explore places unknown to all but a select few," said Lou Viveros, general manager for Panasonic Interactive Media.

"We're excited to be working with Dr. Ballard and the game's developers, Maris Multimedia and United Soft Media."

Titanic: Challenge of Discovery also features a once-in-a-lifetime sweepstakes for a trip to join Dr. Robert Ballard on an expedition to the Eastern Mediterranean.

One lucky winner and their guest will go on a nine-day adventure, including a seven-day land tour of historic sites in Israel and Jordan, and two days with Dr. Ballard aboard his research ship searching for ancient merchant vessels dating back to B.C. times. Sweepstakes and entry information can be found on the Panasonic Interactive Media website at www.pimcom.com.

Minimum system requirements for Titanic: Challenge of Discovery include: Windows 95; Pentium 120 MHz or higher; 16 MB RAM or higher; 16-bit, 640 X 480 graphic card with 2 MB Video RAM; 4X CD-ROM; 120MB of hard disk space and 16-bit audio. DirectX is included.

Dr. Robert Ballard, president of the Institute for Exploration in Mystic, Conn. and founder of the JASON Foundation for Education, has led more than 100 deep-sea expeditions including his discovery of the R.M.S. Titanic, the Bismarck and the USS Carrier Yorktown. He is recognized as a premiere spokesman for marine research and has published more than 50 articles in scientific journals.

Maris Multimedia, located at www.maris.com, is an award-winning publisher and developer of science-based multimedia. Redshift Desktop Planetarium(TM) software is the world's best selling astronomy software.

United Soft Media is a leading publisher of top-quality, innovative consumer software products. USM publishes and distributes in German-speaking territories on CD-ROM and DVD ROM. USM can be reached at www.usm.de.

Panasonic Interactive Media (PIM), a division of Matsushita Electric Corp. of America, is the Matsushita group's leading worldwide digital software and content publishing business. Based in the Silicon Valley, PIM publishes and distributes education and entertainment computer software on CD-ROM and DVD-ROM, as well as DVD home video products. PIM publishing labels currently include Panasonic, PanaKids and Ripcord Games.

Note to Editors: More information about the "Titanic: Challenge of Discovery" can be found at www.pimcom.com. 35mm color slides, TIFF files of screen shots and review copies of the CD-ROM are available upon request.

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Press Release

Gather your equipment and alert your crew. You're diving to the bottom of the sea to locate, identify, and explore the secrets hidden in the world's most famous shipwreck, the RMS Titanic. Created with the help of Dr. Robert D. Ballard, internationally renowned deep-sea explorer and the real life discoverer of the lost luxury liner, Titanic: Challenge of Discovery is an intensely authentic simulation of underwater exploration. Players must overcome a whole range of incredible real-life challenges including ocean currents, storm force winds, fog, ice floes, and the threat of a mutinous crew. Using deep ocean transponders, specialist marine maps, sonar, remote operated vehicles, and underwater camera systems, this thoroughly interactive 3D experience takes players on expeditions in search of three famous shipwrecks. Begin your adventure by finding the Isis, a 4th Century Roman merchant vessel. Develop your undersea skills searching for the famous German WWII battleship, Bismarck. Then uncover the greatest secret of the sea...Titanic.

Features: Historically accurate reconstructions of three famous shipwreck sites: The Bismarck, the Isis, and the RMS Titanic. * Pilot the deep ocean submersible, Discovery*, in real-time 3D through unimagined depths to find and survey shipwreck sites. * Game simulates ever-changing weather patterns. * Interact with 13 video crew members, each with a special skill set, temperament, and productivity factor. * Work with specialist equipment including sonar, remote operated vehicles, and towed camera systems.

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Back of Box - Windows (US)