Gathering's Space Colony in Stores Now
by VGLN Staff

Wednesday, October 15, 2003

Space Age People Simulation/City Builder Game Now Available for PC.

Computer and video game publisher Gathering, a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive Software, today announced that Space Colony, a people simulation, 3D building, strategy game, is now available. Space Colony invites PC pioneers to establish and build cosmic settlements and manage a dysfunctional crew of 20 characters while fighting off alien attacks and attempting to make a profit. Developed by Firefly Studios, Space Colony is available for the PC at a suggested retail price of $39.95 and is rated ³T² for Teen by the ESRB.

The simulation game genre has remained incredibly popular, especially with female and casual gamers," said Mike Wilson, Executive Vice President of Artists and Repertoire at Gathering. Firefly takes this genre one step further by combining it with smart humor, a unique storyline and real-time strategy building to create a distinctive and groundbreaking title. We view Space Colony as a bridge that will connect mass consumers with more intricate gaming.

In Space Colony, players join Blackwater Industries, a shady multi-galaxy corporation that is mining resources and establishing colonies on other planets due to the depletion of materials here on Earth. Over the game¹s 24 missions, players are challenged to settle a new frontier in space, ensure that their crew works well together, and of course, make a profit!

Space colonists will build various outposts, extract precious metals,
establish space chicken farms, fight aliens and try to beat out other
multi-galaxy corporations all while managing a crew of 20 dysfunctional space colonists. The crew is critical to the missions. All the characters' attitudes and work levels are determined by their happiness. And it is their happiness that makes the colony a success or not. With over 100 buildings available to meet the needs of the varied team, and interpersonal relationships to maintain, it¹s up to the player to figure out how to keep the crew at bay.

Space Colony¹s Features Include:
20 unique characters that all have their own distinct personalities, likes, dislikes and nuances. Like all humans, they are reluctant to change. Therefore, it is up to the player to meet the colonists¹ needs and demands.

Features Include:
Over 20,000 lines of unique dialogue. With 20 space colonists all living in close quarters, conversations between them are sure to get interesting! Listen in as colonists ask each other out on dates, fight with one another, complain about their surroundings, and sometimes even discuss their philosophical views!

MP3 RoboDJ! Scan in your own tracks and listen to your favorite tunes as you colonize, build and socialize in space.

Over 100 buildings, structures and furniture to develop and outfit thecolony in whatever fashion one so desires. Entertainment structures includean anti-gravity chamber, disco floors, jacuzzis, saunas, restaurants andbars. Gamers can feng shui their hearts out with various colors and stylecombinations of furniture, accessories and plants. As mental health is alsocritical, players can build meditation spaces, psychotherapy and even
detention pods to keep the crew sane.

Over 20 alien creatures that will invade and attack the colony as well aswreck havoc whenever they get a chance. Aliens include the Fribulans,Slugs, Lava Beetles, Acid Wings and Space Bees. Players must engage roboticarmies and dogbots to fight off these other worldly creatures.

Space Colony's PC System Requirements:
Operating System: Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP
Processor: Pentium III 800 Mhz (1.2Ghz+ Preferred)
RAM: 64MB (128MB Recommended)
HDD: 850MB
VIDEO: 4MB, DirectX 8.1 compatible (800x600 upwards)
SOUND: DirectX 8.1 compatible
CD-ROM: 8X Speed

Space Colony comes from Firefly Studios, the creative force behind themillion-selling Stronghold series. Screenshots and more information onSpace Colony and other Gathering titles can be found at http://www.Gathering.com.

--- Kit