BOCA RATON, Fla., Oct. 25, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Empire Interactive, Ltd, a leading international developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software games and a unit of Silverstar Holdings, Ltd. (Nasdaq:SSTR), has signed an agreement with Valcon Games, LLC to publish and distribute in Europe and all PAL territories the Ultimate Board Game Collection for the PlayStation 2(tm), PSP(tm) (PlayStation Portable) and Wii(tm).
Empire plans to launch the compendium of classic board and tabletop games in the first quarter of 2008. The game has already been a huge hit in the U.S. for publisher Valcon Games and developer Mere Mortals, Ltd., having sold nearly half a million copies to date.
"We are excited to work with Empire to bring these classic titles to the European market," said Glenn Halseth, CEO of Valcon Games. "Given Empire's direct marketing distribution network across Europe, we're confident they can reproduce the phenomenal success we've enjoyed in North America."
The collection includes 20 different classic board games for players to either challenge the computer or play with several other friends to see who is the best board game player in the group. The Ultimate Board Game Collection is made up of classic board and table games that gamers have enjoyed for years, including Parcheesi, Naval Battle, Chinese Checkers and more. Entire families will be entertained for hours and best of all, there are no little pieces or dice to lose.
Many of the games, like Naval Battle, include animated sequences in which pieces move or, in this case, ships sink. Parents are often concerned about video games full of violence, but they can rest assured that the Ultimate Board Game Collection is full of good, clean family fun that everyone will enjoy.
Ian Higgins, CEO of Empire Interactive, said, "We're delighted to bring this collection of classic board and table games to European households. Publishing on a range of formats gives us an opportunity to fulfill the sales potential and family-wide appeal of these timeless games. The Wii console provides the perfect demographic for our first launch on this platform."
Clive Kabatznik, CEO of Silverstar Holdings, added, "Ultimate Board Game Collection is our first Wii release and another milestone in our plan to maximize product potential across all game formats and leverage the power of Empire's unique European distribution network. This is also a significant move for us into the casual game market and the Ultimate Board Game Collection is a fantastic title to lead this initiative."
For more information about Ultimate Board Game Collection, visit www.valcongames.com/ubgc.htm
About Valcon Games
Valcon Games is a leading game publisher in North America with a number of hit titles like the Ultimate Board Game Collection, Real World Golf, and Suzuki Super-Bikes II: Racing Challenge and on a range of game platforms. For more information about the company, visit www.valcongames.com.
About Empire Interactive
Empire Interactive is a leading publisher of interactive entertainment software that has been established for nearly two decades. Headquartered in the U.K., Empire Interactive also has offices in the U.S., Germany, Italy, France and Spain. The company develops and publishes a varied range of titles for all current platforms in the US, Europe and Asia. Games such as Starsky & Hutch, Big Mutha Truckers, Ford Racing and FlatOut have all enjoyed success across the world. Its budget label, Xplosiv, is one of the fastest growing in Europe. Further information about Empire Interactive and its products can be found at www.empireinteractive.com
About Silverstar Holdings
Silverstar Holdings, Ltd. is a leading international publisher and developer of interactive entertainment software. It currently owns Empire Interactive, PLC and Strategy First, Inc., a leading development and worldwide publisher of entertainment software for the PC. For more information about Silverstar Holdings visit www.silverstarholdings.com.
The statements which are not historical facts contained in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to risks associated with the uncertainty of future financial results, additional financing requirements, development of new products, regulatory approval processes, the impact of competitive products or pricing, technological changes, the effect of economic conditions and other uncertainties detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.