BOCA RATON, Fla., March 6, 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), will publish Now Production's thrilling new crime detective adventure, Unsolved Crimes, on Nintendo DS(tm).
The title will bring a new level of gaming excitement to the Nintendo DS integrating the thrills of an action game with the mental challenges of a 3D crime investigation. Empire Interactive will be responsible for distributing Unsolved Crimes worldwide, except Asia, following its official release expected in the second half of calendar 2008.
Recently crime based action/puzzle solving games like 'Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney,' 'CSI: Dark Motives' and 'Hotel Dusk: Room 215' have been very popular with Nintendo DS gamers. Unsolved Crimes will appeal to this audience as well as to those who enjoy puzzle solving and logic games on their Nintendo DS.
In Unsolved Crimes, players take on the role of a young rookie detective in the homicide division who, along with a partner, must solve the mysterious kidnapping of aspiring model Betsy Blake. Set in a stylized 1970s New York, it is up to you to separate the truth from lies and try to find Betsy before it's too late.
The game takes advantage of the unique dual screen of the Nintendo DS, allowing players to immerse themselves in the environments of New York. Players will be able to enter this world, move about, find clues at crime scenes, solve puzzles and answer questions. The innovative use of the Nintendo DS stylus will also allow the player to trace marks, routes and memos on suspicious items discovered at crime scenes, allowing players to advance to solving the kidnapping mystery.
In addition to the on-going and developing kidnapping case, players also must solve a series of eight independent cases. There are also five action games related to the kidnapping storyline to undertake.
"Unsolved Crimes will be an exciting new release for Empire in 2008, and one we believe has huge potential," said Ian Higgins, CEO of Empire Interactive. "With the consistent popularity of crime based TV shows, similar crime themed gaming titles are showing up as chart winners on Nintendo DS. We look forward to similar success."
Clive Kabatznik, CEO of Silverstar holdings, said, 'With Unsolved Crimes, we are looking to tap the greatly expanded demographic of the DS. The unique art style and gritty crime storyline will appeal to Nintendo DS gamers who like both action and brain training style puzzles."
Toshiaki Awamura, president of Now Production Company Limited added, "Now Production has created a highly intuitive game, combining an interactive and realistic 3D environment with compelling tests of the intellect. We fused Western and Japanese gaming elements to create a game that anyone who likes TV police dramas will enjoy, from casual gamers to the more experienced."
About Now Production
Now Production is to a leading developer and publisher of quality interactive entertainment software products that deliver a highly satisfying consumer entertainment experience. Founded in 1986, Now Production is one of Japan's largest independent developers/publishers of console, mobile, and handheld games, and has released more than 130 game titles. Now Production products cover the action, adventure, action sports, and puzzle game categories. For more information, go to www.nowpro.co.jp/english/index.html.
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
The Empire Interactive logo is available at www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3408
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.
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