New “Boulder Dash®” Sequel on the Way!

Kalypso Media and First Star Software, Inc. announce "Boulder Dash®-XL™" for Xbox LIVE Arcade and Windows PC

Ridgewood, NJ, November 9, 2010  – Today Kalypso Media and First Star Software, Inc. are pleased to announce Boulder Dash®-XL™ for Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC. The game is in development by German-based developer Catnip Games along with First Star Software, Inc. With Boulder Dash®-XL™, Kalypso Media and First Star Software will deliver both charming and challenging entertainment to the Xbox LIVE Arcade and Windows PC community worldwide.

Boulder Dash’s tricky puzzle and dexterity-based gameplay made its debut in the early 80s and continues to entertain its enormous fan base and new players. The game is recognized as one of the best-loved retro games in the history of computer and video gaming. Now Boulder Dash®-XL™ brings this classic back with a hot new look that will take the Xbox LIVE Arcade and Windows PC platforms by storm. The game’s core remains unchanged: in a race against time players must collect sparkling diamonds while besting hordes of enemies, while avoiding numerous traps, and keeping an eye out for falling boulders!

"Boulder Dash® has always held a special place in the hearts of retro-gamers, and now, we’re very pleased to be bringing a modernized version to Xbox LIVE Arcade and Windows PC," said Simon Hellwig, Global Managing Director of Kalypso Media. "First Star Software and Catnip Games are great partners, and we expect gamers will definitely love their modernized take on a beloved classic."

Richard M. Spitalny, First Star Software’s president said: "We’re excited once again to work with the core team at Catnip Games, many of whom were instrumental in development of Boulder Dash®-ROCKS!™ for the DS and PSP. Together we’ve developed a beautiful, feature rich game bursting with five game modes, over 150 levels in four worlds. Extra Large indeed!  This will be our first title with Kalypso but feel very confident and comfortable with their strong worldwide distribution network."

Features of Boulder Dash®-XL™ include:

• An updated HD look and feel, featuring 720p graphics
• 4 new game modes (“Arcade”, plus all new “Puzzle”, “Zen” and “Time Challenge”)
• A Retro Mode offering 25 “retro” Caves for a total of five game modes in all
• New scoring mechanism adding new excitement and challenges for High Score hunters
• Four beautiful and varied game worlds
• Over 150 all-new Caves to explore while battling monsters and grabbing gems
• Online Ranking Lists/ Leaderboards
• Achievements support

About The Kalypso Media Group

Founded in 2006 in Germany by industry veterans Simon Hellwig and Stefan Marcinek, Kalypso Media is a global, independent developer, marketer and publisher of interactive entertainment software that employs nearly 100 video game industry experts world-wide.

Along with Headquarters in Worms, Germany, the company has offices in the United Kingdom and the United States.  Kalypso Media also enjoys very strong global digital distribution through its Kalypso Media Digital Ltd. subsidiary, and owns three development studios – Realmforge Studios GmbH, Gaming Minds Studios GmbH and Noumena Studios GmbH -- and works with multiple leading independent developers.

Kalypso Media recently released the critically acclaimed best-seller Tropico 3 for Xbox 360 and PC,DarkStar One – Broken Alliance for Xbox 360, Disciples III: Renaissance and Patrician IV: Conquest by Trade for Windows PC. Upcoming titles include DUNGEONS, The First Templar and Tropico 4.

About First Star Software, Inc.

Founded in 1982, First Star Software, Inc. develops, licenses and publishes games across all platforms including cell-phones, SmartPhones, hand-held devices, home computers and next generation consoles. A privately held corporation, First Star Software’s titles are distributed extensively worldwide. For more information please visit http://www.firststarsoftware.com

About Boulder Dash®:
First published by First Star Software, Inc. in 1984, BOULDER DASH® became an instant “classic”, action-puzzler with its addictive combination of action-packed gameplay and strategic thinking. Released four times into the coin-operated arcades, selling millions of units across numerous home computers, videogame consoles, handheld devices and more recently, mobile devices … 25 plus years later it still brings back magical memories and puts a smile on gamers’ faces all over the world while attracting new fans of all ages.

About Catnip Games:

Though as a company, Catnip Games is young, the core team has been working together for more than 10 years and has an extensive Track Record of more than 30 released games for PC, GameBoy Advance, PlayStation One, Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable, working with reknown brands such as Moorhuhn, Catan, Die Siedler (The Settlers) & Boulder Dash®.

Many of the team members assigned to Boulder Dash®-XL™ for Xbox Live Arcade are long-time fans of Boulder Dash®; further, they are very familiar with the game as they have been responsible for the development of Boulder Dash®-ROCKS!™ on both the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP.

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