LADYDRAGON.COM - Microsoft Game Studios Turns "Midtown Madness 3" Loose on City Streets Best-Selling Franchise Bolsters Xbox Racing Portfolio

Wednesday April 24, 2002

Microsoft Game Studios Turns "Midtown Madness 3" Loose on City Streets Best-Selling Franchise Bolsters Xbox Racing Portfolio

Microsoft® Game Studios today announced that one of the best-selling racing franchises of all time, "Midtown Madness," will become a featured title for the Xbox™ video game system. "Midtown Madness® 3," an arcade-style racing game developed by Digital Illusions CE AB, scheduled for release in fall 2002, will take full advantage of the power of the Xbox™ video game system by providing deeper story lines and more user interaction.

Set in two of the most vibrant cities in the world, Paris and Washington, D.C., the game features madcap, over-the-top racing and driving in a fully interactive world. With more than 30 licensed vehicles to choose from, from flashy sports cars to massive utility vehicles, gamers will be treated to fast-paced, high-energy, unrestrained action and adventure.

"'Midtown Madness 3' builds on the hugely successful legacy of the 'Midtown Madness' franchise and allows gamers the rush and the thrill of madcap, over-the-top racing," said Ryan Mugford, group marketing manager, Xbox Canada. "Licensed vehicles and fully detailed renditions of Paris and Washington, D.C., add to the driving excitement and make 'Midtown Madness 3' a must-have game."

"Midtown Madness 3" provides something for both the hardcore and casual gamer. With three challenging single race modes, Blitz, Checkpoint and Cruise, gamers will experience ambient traffic, pedestrians and voice-over effects particular to neighborhoods.

The competitive and innovative Career mode provides racers with an opportunity to assume various careers, undertaking a variety of missions as they navigate through the wide-open urban environments. To proceed through the career ladders, drivers must use their vehicles and driving skill as their greatest allies, experiencing a depth of experience that can only be found on Xbox.

About Digital Illusions

Digital Illusions CE is a publicly held company headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, with offices in Göteborg, Sweden, and Toronto, Canada. Digital Illusions is focused on creating high-quality, playable games, which make the most of the advanced technology for which they are designed. The company has a strong background in racing games; it was developer of such hits as "RallyMasters," "NASCAR Heat" (PC) and "Swedish Touring Car Championship." Digital Illusions can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.dice.se