Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), the world's leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment and GigaMedia Ltd (NASDAQ: GIGM), a major provider of online entertainment software and services, announced today that the companies have entered into an agreement to launch and operate WARHAMMER® ONLINE: AGE OF RECKONING™(WAR) in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. Based on Games Workshop's Warhammer fantasy universe, the online game features next generation Realm vs. Realm™ (RvR) game play that will immerse players in a world of perpetual conflict.
The agreement between EA and GigaMedia also aims to provide the ultimate MMORPG gaming experience for players in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. Working closely with the EA Mythic development team, GigaMedia will provide marketing, community management, technical support, and customer service functions. Further details concerning the release schedule will be announced in the months ahead. Last November, EA also announced its partnership with GigaMedia to operate NBA Street Online in the same territories.
Warhammer Online is currently in development at EA Mythic, the studio which first gained worldwide critical acclaim for revolutionizing online gaming with the award winning Dark Age of Camelot™. WAR's Realm vs. Realm game play has players joining one of six Armies - the obstinate Dwarfs, the noble High Elves, the loyal humans of the Empire, the savage Greenskins, the corrupt Dark Elves or the marauding human worshippers of Chaos - to experience the truly epic nature of war. Warhammer Online also features an innovative Public Quest™ system and a massive City Siege campaign that allows players to sack and pillage an enemy capital.
Arthur M. Wang, Chief Executive Officer of GigaMedia, said, "We are pleased and honored to become EA's operating partner on another groundbreaking online game. GigaMedia will bring this most anticipated MMORPG title, WARHAMMER ONLINE: AGE OF RECKONING, into Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. We are sure that local players will warmly embrace and welcome this great game".
"It is a privilege to work with GigaMedia to bring our game to Asia's vibrant and growing population of MMORPG fans", says Mark Jacobs, VP and General Manager of EA Mythic. "Warhammer Online is widely anticipated in both North America and Europe. With Giga Media as a partner, we expect that Asian gamers will have a lot to look forward to."