BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 24, 2004 - The nominations are in, and Dungeon Siege® fans couldn’t be happier. Mad Doc® Software, LLC (Mad Doc), announced today that Dungeon Siege®: Legends of Aranna™ is a finalist in The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Achievement Awards “Computer Role Playing Game of the Year” category, with the winners to be unveiled at the upcoming ceremonies March 4th in Las Vegas. A collaboration of Mad Doc, Gas Powered Games® (GPG), and Microsoft® Game Studios, Dungeon Siege®: Legends of Aranna™ continues the adventure of Dungeon Siege® with Mad Doc’s trademark polished AI, a great story and a powerful, streamlined user interface -- all served up in a fully immersive gaming experience worthy of its predecessor.

Developed by Mad Doc and GPG, Dungeon Siege®: Legends of Aranna™ adds a stunning new chapter to this extremely popular franchise, and has earned accolades from fans and critics alike. With a layered story offering the chance to avenge your parents death, save the world and embark on numerous side-quests, Dungeon Siege®: Legends of Aranna™ presents an elaborate approach to game design loaded with new enemies, spells, weapons, monsters and more, taking players on a fantastic journey. The end result is a great action RPG that’s visually immersive and balanced, with addictive leveling, item handling, and well-paced combat sequences.

“On Legends of Aranna™, we had a great deal to work with -- an exceptionally strong engine, a highly-acclaimed title, and a wonderful partner in Gas Powered Games®,” notes Ian Davis, Ph.D., CEO of Mad Doc. “With the collective knowledge of the GPG team, and the artists, designers and coders at Mad Doc, we really pushed the engine hard to create a gorgeous expansion.”

Davis continues, “At the end of the day, we were focused on one goal: to broaden and refine the Dungeon Siege® gaming experience, while bringing to life a full depth of story that would make sense to the fans. We complemented additional AI & UI options that streamline the playing process, with a storyline fans could really embrace.” He adds, “We were hoping people would appreciate the work we put into this one, and we’re excited about the Academy’s nomination. It’s an especially gratifying honor to have this kind of acknowledgement from our peers.”

Ron Rosenberg, Producer, Legends of Aranna™, offers his insights on the success of the game, "One of the most interesting things to me about Legends of Aranna™ is its wide and varied fan base. The game's admirers include everyone from a housewife whose website lists playing the game as one of her favorite things to do in the world -- to legendary game designer Brian Reynolds, who likes to play the game with his kids.” He adds, “The game is incredibly fun and addictive, and we had a great time making it. The nomination is just icing on the cake."

Presented annually since 1998, The Seventh Annual Interactive Achievement Awards will be given in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 4, 2004. These peer-based awards are dedicated to recognizing the outstanding products, talented individuals and development teams that have contributed to the advancement of the $30 billion worldwide entertainment software industry. Selection as an Interactive Academy award finalist or recipient represents the strongest possible peer recognition. The integrity of the system, coupled with a broad-based voting population of Academy members, make the Interactive Achievement Awards the most credible, respected and recognized awards for interactive entertainment software.

Dr. Ian Lane Davis, CEO of Mad Doc, is the former Technical Director of Activision's Santa Monica studio and is widely acknowledged as one of the top artificial intelligence experts in games. Davis serves as a trusted advisor to some of the most important publishers in the industry and is a highly sought speaker in academic and game-focused venues. One of a few elite developers in the US producing highly regarded and successful RPGs, Mad Doc shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Always ready to push the envelope, the Mad Doc team is currently working on their next game; a top secret RPG title utilizing patent pending new gaming technology sure to take RPG gaming to the next level.

For press and business inquiries, please contact:
Sandy O’Toole, Mad Doc® Software PR
[email protected]

About Mad Doc® Software, LLC.
Mad Doc® Software, LLC (www.maddocsoftware.com) consists of game industry veterans with experience in every aspect of game development and an unmatched expertise in Artificial Intelligence. Collectively, Mad Doc team members are responsible for over eight million units in the game market worldwide, earning the acclaim of players, critics, and publishers alike. Mad Doc's development credits include Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest™, Star Trek®: Armada™, Star Trek®: Armada II™, Jane's® Attack Squadron, and Dungeon Siege®: Legends of Aranna™, named a finalist for Computer Role Playing Game of the Year 2003 by the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences. Founded in 1999 by Dr.Lane Davis, Mad Doc Software is headquartered in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

About Gas Powered Games®
Gas Powered Games® was founded in May 1998 by Chris Taylor, creator of the award-winning Total Annihilation™. Located in the Pacific Northwest, GPG is a short distance from Seattle, Washington.

With a team currently numbering 54, GPG is devoted to creating immersive games that push technological boundaries. The company's first project, Dungeon Siege® is an action fantasy role-playing game, which was published by Microsoft. Dungeon Siege® has been released and is currently available in a store near you.

About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox® video game system and Windows 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 (http://www.xbox.com/), including such franchises as "Halo®," "Project Gotham Racing®" and "NFL Fever"; and Zone.com, the official games channel for the MSN® network and home to such hits as "Bejeweled" and "OutSmart®."

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.

The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements.” The Company cautions readers of this press release that a number of important factors could cause future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements.