


	MICROPROSE DEVELOPING ONE OF THIS YEAR'S HOTTEST LICENSES
			
			MAGIC: THE GATHERING  

	The Interactive On-line Multiplayer or Stand-Alone 
	Personal Computer Version Epitomizes the Fantasy 
	Trading Card Game That Has Sold More Than 500 Million 
	Cards Worldwide

	CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW, Las Vegas, Jan. 6, 1995-
	MicroProse Software, a subsidiary of Spectrum HoloByte, 
	Inc. (NASDAQ: SBYT), and Wizards of the Coast, Inc.  
	present Magic: The Gathering software game. 
	
	Filled with wizards, spell casting and strategy, the Magic 
	software game is based on Wizards of the Coast"s popular 
	trading card game of the same name. Magic will be the first 
	on-line multiplayer game for both companies.

	Touted by the Chicago Tribune (Nov. 25, 1994) as a 
	"breakthrough game" and by Time International (Sept 12,1994) 
	as "a multimedia marketing phenomenon", the Magic trading 
	card game has carved a niche in the gaming industry. With 
	sales of more than 500 million cards, Magic claims space 
	on toy and computer retail store shelves worldwide. 
	According to Computer Entertainment News (Oct. 17, 1994), 
	Magic is one of the fastest-moving items at several national 
	software retailers. 
	
	"When I first began playing Magic more than a year ago, I 
	realized that the game would "gather" people together because 
	it appeals to both men and women of all ages," said David 
	Etheredge, game designer at MicroProse who proposed the idea 
	of a computer version. "The computer game will allow people 
	to challenge players from all over the U.S. through the 
	on-line service."

	"MicroProse has many employees who are fans of the paper 
	card game and employees outside of our Magic team have 
	been instrumental in giving us feedback and ideas,
	" according to Arnold Hendrick, producer of mass-market 
	products at MicroProse. "We are eager to create a computer 
	game worthy of the Magic license and to include features 
	that make the original game so popular-the art, social aspect, 
	challenging gameplay, customization of decks, and trading 
	of cards to name a few."

	      More Complex Than Chess but Simple To Learn

	"Programming has been a challenge because with chess, 
	players know the set rules. However, the rules in Magic 
	change as people play the game. For example, Magic contains 
	cards that break other rules, " according to Jeff Billings, 
	lead programmer. "In spite of this fact, players are 
	challenged by the complexity but not overwhelmed by it 
	because the computer will interpret the rules. From a 
	programmer's perspective, the biggest challenge involves 
	making the cards work like they do in the paper game."
	

			Two Ways To Play
	
	Stand-alone Game
	
	The apprentice mode acts as a tutorial because it gives 
	beginners the chance to learn about the game and gain 
	confidence in their playing ability. Once beginners are 
	more knowledgeable about the game, they may play any deck 
	they can image with the 1,000 cards available against the 
	computer or artificial intelligence (AI) or play a 
	quest-based story game that emulates the on-line environment. 
	
	Multiplayer Game
	
	On-line gamers can challenge other players. Players will be 
	able to duel one player at a time yet the number of 
	simultaneous network users will be large and expandable. In 
	the roundtable area, people may interact, trade and chat with 
	other players, making it a social environment.
	
		    Prizes and Perks-Reward System

	Both the stand-alone and multiplayer game have a reward 
	system where players gain cards based on how well and how 
	often they play. Special rewards will be established for 
	those who win tournaments and events online. From time to 
	time, Magic celebrity guests will duel players and offer 
	tips.
		Best Graphics of Any Current On-line Product

	"We wanted to be faithful to the theme and look of the 
	original card game and we believe that has been achieved,
	" said Frank Frazier, lead artist. "The Super VGA computer 
	graphics reflect the same personality of the paper cards 
	and are created in a way to be as bold and stunning on the 
	personal computer as they are in the original card game. 
	The art will support 256 colors and be the best graphics 
	of any on-line product currently on the market."

	"The Magic art appeals to so many people because it has 
	something for everyone-its wide variety of styles include 
	Art Nouveau, Impressionism and Realism to name a few,
	" said Todd Bilger, artist. "Some people even collect cards 
	from a particular artist, just as museums collect paintings 
	from a certain artist."

		Description:    On-line and stand-alone computer 
				fantasy trading card game 
		Era:            Medieval/fantasy
		Format:         CD-ROM/IBM and compatible. 
				Launches from Windows or MS-DOS 5.0 
				or higher
		Requirements:   CD requirements include a CD-ROM 
				drive only. MS-DOS 5.0 or higher. 
				IBM-PC 386, 486 and most compatibles, 
				33 MHz, 4 MB RAM, SVGA Graphics, 
				and mouse. 
		Supports:       Sound Blaster/Sound Blaster Pro, 
				Pro Audio Spectrum , Ad Lib, Roland MT
				32/CM-32L, General MIDI, Covox Sound 
				Master II sound systems, and 256 colors, 
				2400 baud modem or higher

	Spectrum HoloByte designs and markets a full line of 
	entertainment software for personal computers and video 
	cartridge systems. The products are available nationally 
	and internationally through major distributors, retailers 
	and mass merchants. For USA consumer orders only, 
	call 1-800-879-PLAY. 
	
	Wizards of the Coast, a privately-held game company, has 
	enjoyed world-wide success and industry-wide acclaim since 
	the release of Magic. The four-year old company continues 
	to create and market quality roleplaying, board and card 
	games.
	
	All trademarks are the property of their respective 
	trademark holders.
     

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