BOCA RATON, Fla., Feb. 14, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Empire Interactive PLC, an international publisher and developer of interactive entertainment software and a wholly owned subsidiary of Silverstar Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq:SSTR), announced 2008 will mark the return of the hugely successful puzzle phenomenon, Pipe Mania.
The frenetic, addictive game play of the original will be reborn on a variety of popular platforms, including Nintendo DS(tm) and Wii(tm), Sony PSP(r), Sony PlayStation 2(r), Xbox Live Arcade, and PC.
The original version of Pipe Mania was published by Empire Interactive in 1989, with Pipe Dream released in the U.S. in 1991. It ranks as one of the most popular and ported puzzle games of all time. The title has achieved phenomenal sales of more than 4 million units worldwide, making it one the most successful puzzle games ever launched.
The simplicity of Pipe Mania makes it accessible to all ages. The player must lay down a pre-ordained set of pipes on a tiled grid in order to keep the constantly flowing Flooze moving for as long as possible without it spilling out. The game requires quick thinking, hand-eye co-ordination, forward thinking and keen spatial awareness.
This new version builds on the infectious playability of the original and adds expanded game modes, new themes, new play mechanics, and new pieces to challenge players of all skills and ages.
"We are very excited to bring back Pipe Mania," said Ian Higgins, CEO of Empire Interactive. "Releasing this hugely popular puzzle title across these many formats will give gamers of all ages, particularly the newest generation, the opportunity to enjoy this exciting puzzle sensation."
Clive Kabatznik, CEO of Silverstar holdings, added, "Pipe Mania is an excellent example of the enormous unrealized potential of Empire's proprietary game library, which has grown now to more than 320 titles. Like highly-valued Hollywood movie catalogs, these properties can be redeployed again and again into new markets and new gaming platforms, and be enjoyed by the latest generation of gamers. The combination of low redeployment costs with the track record of a winner spells high-margin, guaranteed sales for Empire. Pipe Mania is particularly ideal, since its simple but highly addictive play is perfect for reaching a broad demographic under a multitude of formats."
About Empire Interactive
Empire Interactive has been a leading publisher of interactive entertainment software since 1987. Headquartered in the UK, Empire Interactive 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 U.S., Europe and Asia. Games like Starsky & Hutch, Big Mutha Truckers, Ford Racing and FlatOut have enjoyed success across the world. Empire's budget label, Xplosiv (www.xplosiv.net), is one of the fastest growing in Europe. For more information about Empire Interactive and its products go to www.empireinteractive.com
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About Silverstar Holdings
Silverstar Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq:SSTR) 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 go to www.silverstarholdings.com.
About Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Recognized as the global leader and company responsible for the progression of consumer-based computer entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) manufacturers, distributes and markets the PlayStation(r) game console and PlayStation(r)2 computer entertainment system. PlayStation has revolutionized home entertainment by introducing advanced 3D graphic processing, and PlayStation 2 further enhances the PlayStation legacy as the core of home networked entertainment. SCEI, along with its subsidiary divisions Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd., and Sony Computer Entertainment Korea Inc. develops, publishes, markets and distributes software, and manages the third party licensing programs for these two platforms in the respective markets worldwide. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. is an independent business unit of the Sony Group.
About Nintendo(tm)
The worldwide innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii(tm), Nintendo DS(tm), Game Boy(r) Advance and Nintendo GameCube(tm) systems. Since 1983, Nintendo has sold nearly 2.4 billion video games and more than 420 million hardware units globally, and has created industry icons like Mario(tm), Donkey Kong(r), Metroid(r), Zelda(tm) and Pokemon(r). As a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of Europe, based in Grossostheim, Germany, was established in 1990 and serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in Europe.
About Xbox Live
Now in its third generation of transforming and uniting Xbox game communities, with more than 300 games planned by end of holiday 2005 and now with presence in 24 countries worldwide, Xbox Live has set the bar for online games entertainment. As the first global, unified online console games service, Xbox Live continues to take online game play and entertainment to unprecedented heights. With a rapidly growing global community, Xbox Live offers best-in-class games, intelligent matchmaking, tournaments, unique programming and integration with Xbox.com there is simply nothing else like it. The service continues to provide more and more ways for members to meet, interact and stay engaged with each other.
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