BOCA RATON, Fla., Nov. 27, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Empire Interactive PLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Silverstar Holdings (Nasdaq:SSTR), has signed a publishing agreement to bring the classic adventure title, Myst, to the Nintendo DS platform in North America in the first quarter of 2008.
Myst is one of the most successful video game franchises of all time, selling more than 12 million copies worldwide. Its unique and engaging user interface represented one of the most important breakthroughs in the adventure game genre and set a new standard by which future interactive games were compared. After remaining at the top of the chart for many years, this perennial classic is currently second only to The Sims as the best selling computer game of all times.
Developed by Hoplite Research, LLC the Nintendo DS version of Myst includes a number of exclusive new features:
-- A complete new age -- the RIME Age -- for which new sounds, effects,
video clips and graphic sets have been created for Nintendo DS
-- New interface that takes advantage of the console's "dual screen"
technology
-- New set of mini-tools designed to assist the player in solving the
many puzzles and brain buster games needed to complete the
adventure
Supporting the company's continued growth in North America, Myst DS is the next of a series of additions to the Empire Interactive 2008 product roadmap that already include key releases like FlatOut, Hello Kitty and PipeMania.
"This highly anticipated first quarter release will enable us to develop new distribution channels for our products in North America," said Karim Farghaly, vice president of sales for Empire Interactive. "It will ultimately allow us to bring more high quality content to our consumers and partners alike."
Clive Kabatznik, CEO of Silverstar Holdings added, "The granting of North American publishing rights for Myst DS to Empire further demonstrates our ability to meet the needs of developers and rights holders for world class marketing and distribution across all channels. This is also the first step in our efforts to sell our games directly in North America, thereby improving overall revenues and gross margins."
Manny Granillo, president of Hoplite Research, LLC said, "Empire Interactive's impressive understating of our franchise, their proven track record and innovative marketing strategies, all convinced us they would be the ideal partner to bring this important platform release to the North American market."
About Empire Interactive
Empire Interactive is a leading publisher of interactive entertainment software that has been established for 18 years. Headquartered in the UK, 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 U.S., 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
The Empire Interactive logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3408
About Silverstar Holdings
Silverstar Holdings Ltd. is an international publisher and developer of interactive entertainment software. It currently owns Empire Interactive, PLC and Strategy First, Inc. Empire Interactive (www.empireinteractive.com) is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software games, including Starsky & Hutch, Big Mutha Truckers, Ford Racing and FlatOut. Empire's products are delivered on both console and PC platforms. Strategy First (www.strategyfirst.com) is a developer and worldwide publisher of entertainment software for the PC. For more information about Silverstar Holdings visit www.silverstarholdings.com
About Cyan Worlds
Cyan Worlds, Inc., located in Spokane, WA, is best know for Myst and Riven, which received numerous awards, critical acclaim and broad popularity, Cyan has been designing and building immersive interactive worlds since 1987. They currently employ over 30 designers, programmers and artists. For more information about Cyan Worlds, go to www.cyanworlds.com
About Hoplite Research
Hoplite Research, LLC is a leading entertainment research group, developer, publisher and marketer of interactive entertainment software. Created in 2001 primarily as the entertainment industry's first research group, Hoplite Research, LLC is dedicated to finding new methods of entertaining through technology, innovation, and design on all major PC and videogame platforms, including the PlayStation(r)2 computer entertainment system, Xbox(tm) and Nintendo DS(tm)
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.