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Microsoft ships a pair of PC games

by: Chuck -
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It's a good week for PC gamers as Microsoft has shipped Age of Empires III:The Asian Dynasties  and Flight Simulator X: Acceleration to stores.  Nice to see more PC games coming out even if they are just expansion packs.  You can check out our reviews of the game here and here respectively

Microsoft Game Studios today announced that the expansion packs for two critically acclaimed Games for Windows franchises, “Age of Empires III” and “Flight SImulator X” have begun shipping to retailers throughout North America today.

 

From renowned real-time strategy developers Big Huge Games and Ensemble Studios, “Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties” introduces gamers to Asian civilizations and a host of new gameplay features including new ways of winning and trading, random map styles that feature remixes of classic “Age of Empires” game styles, and the return of Wonders – a favorite gameplay element in “Age of Empires II.”

Acceleration Box Shot Low Res - FINAL

“Flight Simulator X: Acceleration” adds a wealth of new content such as three exciting new aircraft including the F/A-18A Hornet, a new multiplayer racing mode, more than 20 new missions and DirectX 10 capabilities that enhance environmental effects such as bloom, water realism and virtual cockpit shadowing.

 

Both expansion packs are Games for Windows branded titles, ensuring easier installation, enhanced reliability standards and support for key Windows Vista features, including the Games Explorer and Parental Controls.

 

“Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties” and “Flight Simulator X: Acceleration” are available for the estimated retail price of $29.99 for Windows. “Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties” is rated “T” for teens ages 13 and older and requires “Age of Empires III.”  “Flight Simulator X: Acceleration” is rated “E10+” for everyone 10 and older and requires “Flight Simulator X.”

 

For more information about “Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties” please visit www.ageofempires3.com.

 

For more information about “Flight Simulator X” please visit http://www.microsoft.com/games/pc/flightsimulatorx.aspx.

 

About Big Huge Games

Founded by four veteran game developers who together have brought strategy gamers such classic hits as Rise of Nations, Alpha Centauri®, and Civilization II®, Big Huge Games is a video game studio focused on cutting-edge technology and aimed at mass-market game development. Big Huge Games founders Brian Reynolds, Jason Coleman, David Inscore and Tim Train continue in the tradition of creating inspired and innovative games for PC and next-generation consoles. Creating games that have received numerous “Game of the Year” awards and accolades, Big Huge Games is headquartered in Timonium, Maryland. For more information about Big Huge Games, please visit http://www.bighugegames.com.

 

About Ensemble Studios

Ensemble Studios (http://www.ensemblestudios.com) is one of the world’s premier entertainment software developers. Ensemble Studios is known for its blockbuster “Age of Empires” and “Age of Mythology®” game series, as well as the upcoming “Halo Wars™.” Ensemble’s titles are distinguished by the highest-quality art and gameplay dynamics applied in familiar historical settings, and appeal to hard-core gamers and mass audiences. Ensemble Studios is based in Dallas, Texas.

 

About ACES Studio

ACES Studio is the developer of the famed “Flight Simulator” and “Combat Flight Simulator” series. It is owned by Microsoft Game Studios and based out of Redmond, Wash.

 

About Microsoft Game Studios

Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox® and Xbox 360 video game systems, the Windows® operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games), including such franchises as “Age of Empires®,” “Flight Simulator” and “Zoo Tycoon®”; Xbox and Xbox 360 (http://www.xbox.com), including such games as “Gears of War” and franchises such as “Halo,” “Fable®,” “Project Gotham Racing®” and “Forza Motorsport®”; and MSN® Games (http://www.games.msn.com), the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as “Bejeweled” and “Hexic®.”

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