Atari Presents A Second Look At Tomorrow's War With 'Act Of War: High Treason' Expansion Pack

**Atari and Eugen Systems Become Allies Once Again to Deliver an Exhilarating and Feature-Laden Expansion Pack for 'Act of War: Direct Action'

LYON, FRANCE – 31 October 2005** – Atari today unveiled first details of the Act of War: High Treason expansion pack for the critically-acclaimed, near-future, geopolitical techno-thriller RTS, Act of War: Direct Action. Developed by the prodigal Eugen Systems and loaded with new features, including modern-day naval combat and mercenaries, Act of War: High Treason is set for release in March 2006 for the Windows platform.

"Act of War: Direct Action is a compelling and gorgeous-looking game which is further enhanced by this excellent expansion pack," said Cyril Voiron, Marketing Director, Atari Europe. "Act of War: High Treason further proves that Eugen Systems is a brilliant studio, full of confidence and expertise, that packs a mean punch on the RTS battlefield. This expansion demonstrates their, and Atari's, dedication to the franchise."

Eugen Systems pushed the visual standard of RTS games to a new level with Act of War: Direct Action, a game which attracted extremely impressive review scores across the globe. Act of War: High Treason takes the visuals a step further, whilst simultaneously raising the bar in terms of gameplay. The wealth of original features include modern naval combat with bump-mapping and physics, fully customizable multiplayer games, mercenary units, improved control system, new units, revised aircraft and artillery, an entirely new campaign set in a new real-world location, new maps, and additional multiplayer enhancements.

Act of War: High Treason for Windows will be released across Europe in March 2006. For more information please visit www.atari.com/actofwar.

Source:

Press release (31st October 2005)

ACT OF WAR: HIGH TREASON

EXPANSION PACK – FACT SHEET 1 Platform: Windows PC

Genre: RTS

Launch Date: March 2006

PEGI Rating: 16+

Publisher: Atari

With the first expansion pack for the critically acclaimed Act of War: Direct Action, Eugen Systems and Atari are introducing a massive amount of new features and content to enhance and extend the overall experience.

Naval Combat

The new naval combat in provides a fully-fledged modern naval RTS within Act of War. With over a dozen new units designed specifically for naval warfare – from Tarawa class carriers, Typhoon submarines and SH-60 Seahawk anti-sub helicopters, to Harrier attack aircraft and Zubr class amphibious assault hovercraft – this feature alone promises to make this expansion pack one of the most interesting new RTS offerings in 2006.

To support the naval combat feature, Eugen Systems have developed brand new real-time physics technology to simulate waves and the heave of the ships, ballistics code for ASROCs, Tomahawks, Harpoons and Typhoons and other maritime weaponry, and normal mapping and deep parallax water surfaces for the waves.

Mercenaries

Instead of introducing a fourth faction, Eugen Systems have introduced a different kind of feature which promises to mix things up considerably during different phases of the game – mercenary units. The concept is simple: these are units for hire. Only one player at a time can hire each mercenary unit, and to hire a mercenary team you need to pay a hefty insurance policy. If the mercenaries are injured or even killed, you won't get a full refund of your insurance deposit at the end of the contract.

The nine mercenary units range from close assault troops with Benelli shotguns, to Roland SAM systems, SU-25 Froogfoot CAS aircraft, and even F-117 stealth bombers that can be called into any part of the map.

New Units and Upgrades

For extra variation in the basic game each of the three factions also receives 2-3 new units and as many new upgrades; in some cases they will cover previous holes in the tech tree, in others just reinforce the strength of each side or introduce a new use for existing units and upgrades. Examples are Stinger infantry and Kiowa recon helicopters for the U.S. Army, SCUD launchers and Hind AT-6 Spiral missiles for the Consortium, and GUOS mine upgrades and experimental BLU-144 bombs for the Joint Strike Fighters of the Task Force Talon.

About Act of War: Direct Action

Unconventional French developer Eugen System's third RTS game and their biggest success to date, Act of War: Direct Action, was one of the big PC surprise newcomers of 2005 with unanimous critical acclaim and reviews consistently in the eighties and nineties in both U.S. and Europe. Gamerankings.com rates the game second in the chart of best new RTS games of 2005.

Act of War is an example of the emerging "Action RTS" subgenre – light on resource management, more focused on unit construction and troop movement, and with the kind of amazing graphics and technology more usually seen in shooters. It also featured live action cinematics to support a storyline written in cooperation with New York Times bestselling techno-thriller author Dale Brown.

The fast "pick-up-and-play" game mechanics made Act of War very popular in the online multiplayer community, with over 10 million online games completed in less than six months. There are many user-created maps available to the community of at least as high quality as Eugen Systems's own creations; a tell-tale sign of a healthy and thriving audience of fans.

Innovation was found in game pace, game mechanics details and visuals, the possibility to play around with real weapons – such as Abrams tanks, A-10 Thunderbolt close air support aircraft, Apache attack helicopters and U.S. Marines – in real-world locations such as Washington D.C. or San Francisco under very authentic "rules of engagement", was something that appealed to many fans of modern combat, techno-thrillers and RTS games.

© 2005 Atari Europe SASU. All Rights Reserved.

Source:

Press release (21st December 2005)

Atari's 'Act of War: High Treason' Expansion Pack Goes Gold

**Atari and Eugen Systems Take 'Act of War: Direct Action' to the Next Level of RTS Gameplay with 'Act of War: High Treason'

LYON, FRANCE – 14 March 2006** – Atari today announced that development is complete on the Act of War: High Treason expansion pack for the critically-acclaimed, techno-thriller RTS, Act of War: Direct Action. Developed by Paris-based Eugen Systems and loaded with new features including modern-day naval combat and mercenaries, Act of War: High Treason is on schedule for release on 24 March 2006 for the Windows platform.

For gamers craving a taste of the second-to-none RTS action offered by Act of War: High Treason, but who haven't purchased the original game, the Act of War: Gold Edition featuring the original game and the expansion will be available simultaneously.

"With this expansion we are delivering a really incredible fully-featured RTS experience which exceeds all that has come before," said Cyril Voiron, Marketing Director, Atari Europe. "Act of War: High Treason pushes the limits of the genre – Eugen have produced something unmissable for any fan of RTS gaming."

Act of War: High Treason takes the stunning visuals of Act of War: Direct Action a step further, whilst simultaneously raising the bar in terms of gameplay. Amongst the host of original features are modern naval combat with bump-mapping and physics, fully customizable multiplayer games, mercenary units, improved control system, new units, revised aircraft and artillery, an entirely new campaign set in a new real-world location, new maps, and additional multiplayer enhancements.

Act of War: High Treason and Act of War: Gold Edition for Windows will be released across Europe on 24 March 2006. For more information please visit www.atari.com/actofwar.

Source:

Press release (14th March 2006)

WHAT ACT IS MORE POWERFULTHAN TREASON?

Follow up to the best RTS of 2005

• Ultra-realistic modern military RTS with massive new features for both single and multiplayer.
• Over 50 new multiplayer maps and new single player campaign.
• Three new online multiplayer modes and customization options.**
• Nine different mercenaries to expand the gameplay experience.
• Over 50 new ships, tanks, planes, soldiers and upgrades.
• Enhanced A.I., graphics, artillery and aircraft handling, and much more!

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Back of Box - Windows (US)

The First Modern Warfare RTS

with Air, Ground and Naval Combat!

*Act of War: High Treason is the thrilling continuation of 2005's best military RTS, Act of War: Direct Action. With its fast-paced, action-packed and well-balanced gameplay, extensive tech tree and amazing visuals, this ultra-realistic modern military RTS was an instant smash hit with reviewers and gamers alike!

With naval combat, tons more multiplayer options, expanded tech trees and a massive new single-player campaign, High Treason contains hundreds of hours of intense RTS gameplay!

Control the ultimate in cutting-edge military technology and units in this first look at tomorrow's war!

KEY FEATURES * Massive new features and unit rosters for both single- and multiplayer * Over 25 new multiplayer maps and new single player campaign * Tons of new multiplayer modes and customisation options * Naval combat and advanced water physics * Nine different mercenaries to expand the gameplay experience * Over 50 new units and upgrades * Enhanced A.I., graphics, artillery and aircraft handling, and much more*

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Back of Keep Case - Windows (United Kingdom)

Das wohl erste Echtzeit-Strategiespiel

der modernen Luft-, Boden- und See-Kriegsführung!

*Act of War: High treason ist die spannende Fortsetzung eines der bestverkauftesten Militär-Echtzeit-Strategiespiele des Jahres 2005, Act of War: Direct Action. Dank seinem schnellen, actiongeladenen und gut balancierten Gameplay, dem komplexen Technologiebaum und den atemberaubenden Grafiken wurde das ultrarealistische Militär-Echtzeit-Strategiespiel sofort zum Topseller und beeindruckte Kritiker und Spieler gleichermaßen!

Mit neuen Seeschlachten, unzähligen Mehrspieler-Optionen, noch größeren Technologiebäumen und einer umfassenden neuen Einzelspieler-Kampagne bietet Ihnen "High Treason" hunderte Stunden packenden Spielspaß!

Werfen Sie einen Blick auf die Kriegsführung von morgen und kontrollieren Sie ultramoderne Militärtechnologie und -einheiten!

FEATURES * Unzählige neue Features und Einheiten für den Einzel- und Mehrspielermodus * Mehr als 25 neue Mehrspieler-Karten und eine neue Einzelspieler-Kampagne * Jede Menge neue Mehrspieler-Modi und Individualisierungsmöglichkeiten * Seeschlachten und erweiterte Wasserphysik * Neun unterschiedliche Söldner sorgen für abwechslungsreichen Spielspaß * Mehr als 50 neue Einheiten und Upgrades * Verbesserte K.I., optimierte Grafiken, Artillerie und Flugzeughandling - und vieles mehr!*

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Back of Keep Case - Windows (Germany)

Le premier STR moderne

à concillier combats aériens, terrestres et navals !

*Act of War: High Treason est l'extension du meilleur jeu de stratégie militaire de l'année 2005, Act of War: Direct Action. Caractérisé par une jouabilité parfaitement dosée et riche en émotions fortes, un vaste arbre technologique et des praphismes détonants, ce STR hyperréaliste a immédiatement conquis les journalistes comme les joueurs !

Avec des arbres technologiques toujours plus vastes, l'ajout des combats navals, d'une pléiade de nouvelles options multiijoueur et d'une campagne solo monumentale, High Treason vous promet centaines d'heures de jeu intense !

Commandez les fleurons de la technologie militaire d'avant-garde dans cet aperçu de ce que sera la guerre de demain !

KEY FEATURES * De multiples nouvelles fonctionnalités et unités en modes solo et multijoueur * Plus de 25 nouvelles cartes multijoueur et une campagne solo originale * Une multitude de nouveaux modes multijoueur et d'options de personnalisation * Des combats navals et une physique aquatique évolutée * Neuf compagnies mercenaires différentes pour encore étoffer votre expérience de jeu * Plus de 50 nouvelles unités et améliorations * Une L.A. améliorée, des graphismes plus fins, une gestion plus pointue des artilleries e aéronets... et bien plus encore !*

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Back of Keep Case - Windows (France)

Über dieses Spiel

Der langersehnte Nachfolger des hochgefeierten Spiels - Act of War: Direct Action macht dort weiter, wo der Techno-Thriller aufhörte. Am Abend der U.S. Präsidentschaftswahlen greifen gleichzeitig mehrere Terroristen beide Kandidaten an. Hinweise deuten auf eine Verwicklung korrupter Elemente des U.S. Militärs in die Anschläge, jedoch führt die Spur auch zu einer schattenhaften Organisation bekannt als das Konsortium. Sie übernehmen die Rolle des U.S. Army Brigade Generals Jason Richter, Karrieresoldat und ehemaliger Kommandant der 1. Spezialeinheit (Delta Force), der die Verantwortung über eine neue Elite-Anti-Terroreinheit übernommen hat: Task Force TALON. Von massiven feindlichen Angriffen bis hin zu delikaten Geiselbefreiungen, von geheimen Spionageaktionen bis hin zu gezielten Spezialangriffen steht die 'Task Force TALON' bereit den Feind in Schach zu halten und um die ganze Welt zu verfolgen. Mit Zukunftstechnologie und neuen Waffen werden Richter und seine Männer bis zum äussersten der geistigen und körperlichen Grenzen getrieben, um den unberechenbaren Feinden Einhalt zu gebieten, die die Regierungen der Welt in Chaos und Anarchie stürzen wollen.

• Ultra-realistische, moderne Militärry-RTS mit vielen neuen Erweiterungen für Einzel- und Mehrspielermodi
• Über 50 neue Mehrspielerkarten und neue Einzelspielerkampagnien
• Drei neue Online-Mehrspielermodi und individuelle Einstellmöglichkeiten
• Marineeinsätze mit fortgeschrittener Wasserphysik und erweiterten Technologien
• Neun verschiedene Söldnereinheiten, um die Spielerfahrung zu erweitern
• Über 50 neue Schiffe, Panzer, Flugzeuge, Soldaten und Upgrades
• Verbesserte A.I., Grafik, Artillerie und Flugzeughandhabung und vieles mehr!

Source:

store.steampowered.com (German)