"Mythica"

Fact Sheet

May 2003

Title: "Mythica"
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Developer: Microsoft Game Studios
Format: CD-ROM for Microsoft® Windows® 95, Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me), Windows XP and Windows 2000 operating systems
ESRB Rating: Pending
Availability: 2004
Pricing: TBD

Product Overview:
"Mythica" is a new breed of massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that casts players in the role of an immortal in the mythological world of the Norse gods. As fallen heroes who have ascended to the afterlife, players set out across the Norse planes of existence on epic quests to earn their godhood. They will endure heroic trials, answer the prayers of the faithful, and eventually gather enough energy and worship to transcend their immortal present to realize a godly future. Standing side by side with the Norse gods of old, they'll attempt to hold back the Fire Giants on the plane of Muspellheim.

Key Features:

• Become the one true hero. With new Private Realms Technology, "Mythica" redefines the massively multiplayer category, combining the richness of a single-player role-playing game with the social experience of a massively multiplayer game. Players can choose an adventure with a band of fellow players in huge public areas populated by other players or enter a Private Realm to take on handcrafted, individual quests with destructible environments, cinematics and engaging storylines.
  
  
• Explore Playscapes. Private Realms enable a whole new MMORPG experience called Playscapes. Playscapes are sophisticated areas that change over time and contain multiple quest goals and interrelated objectives. Imagine a band of heroes walking into the middle of a large-scale invasion where they must choose among multiple goals: save the mortals, save their town, fight off the invaders, ignore the mortals' cries for help and go straight for the treasure, or split the difference. All are viable choices, but it comes down to what type of victory players desire and what kind of god they wish to be.
  
  
• Make war with absolute power. Great things are expected of fallen heroes who have become immortal: Players are imbued with godlike powers to dispel droves of menacing monsters with a single blow, or face off against creatures of legend such as the monstrous Midgard Serpent that will send players flying with one swoop.
  
  
• Build worship. Players answer the prayers of the mortal factions, whether they are human, the Alfar (elves) or the Dvergar (dwarves), who all seek greater powers to place their faith in and follow. In return, each faction yields a special set of skills and resources; as players grow in power and gain worshippers they may even begin to look like their mortal followers utilizing a Collectable Appearance System.
  
  
• Traverse fantastic Norse realms. Players journey across the Norse planes of existence, from the hallowed grounds of Asgard to the mortal planes of Midgard and Vanaheim, into the dark expansive caverns of Nidavellir, through the frozen wastes of Jotunheim and on to the fiery heart of Muspellheim itself. Each realm has its own grand story line, treasures and dangers.
  
  
• Pledge allegiance to an Aesir patron god for special abilities. Using a new god-based class system, players may choose to align themselves with the physical Aesir gods, such as Thor with his berserker strength or Loki with his trickster guile. Players who gain enough glory for their patron god may find themselves sitting at his or her right hand.