Tenchu: Return from Darkness Ships

[Vampyr]

Santa Monica, CA – March 9, 2004 – Activision, Inc’s (Nasdaq: ATVI) Tenchu stealth ninja series is back with TenchuÒ: Return from Darkness on the Xbox videogame system from Microsoft. Based on the best-selling Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven, Tenchu: Return From Darkness brings the acclaimed series to Xbox gamers with several new enhancements including Xbox Live gameplay featuring two-player cooperative stealth ninja action and online death match with 20 playable characters across six maps. Tenchu: Return From Darkness has been rated “M” (“Mature” – intense violence, blood and gore - content suitable for persons ages 17 and older) by the ESRB and is available for $49.99 at North American retail outlets.

“Tenchu: Return From Darkness gives Xbox gamers the most authentic ninja stealth action adventure available on the platform,” states Takehisa Abe, general manager, Activision Japan. “The addition of Xbox Live cooperative gameplay offers players a truly unique gaming experience.”

The game features several new enhancements such as re-tuned enemy intelligence and placement, the ability to drag and hide dead bodies, an interactive training mode, restart and continue functions, new unlockable abilities such as wall camouflage and the Grand Master “viper drink,” new bosses and two new single player maps - a Samurai mansion and three-story pagoda.

Developed by K2, Ltd. in conjunction with Prosoft Corp., Tenchu: Return From Darkness is set one year after the original Tenchu and players must assume the role of ninjas Rikimaru, Ayame or the mysterious Tesshu, an unlockable assassin, as they battle the evil Tenrai and his six lords of darkness. The game’s authentic features, realistic lighting and weather effects, breakable items and character animations allows players the experience of being a real ninja in 16th century Feudal Japan.


BradyGames' Tenchu®: Return from Darkness™ Official Strategy Guide is available at electronics, book, and software retailers nationwide, and online at bradygames.com.

About Xbox
Xbox (http://www.xbox.com) is the video game system from Microsoft that brings people together for the most exhilarating game and entertainment experiences. Xbox delivers an expansive collection of breakthrough games, powerful hardware and the unified Xbox Live online service. The new tagline, "it's good to play together," captures the spirit of Xbox as the social hub of the new digital entertainment lifestyle. Xbox is now available in North America, Asia, Europe and Australia.
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Xbox is a registered trademark in the United States and/or other countries.

About Activision
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $864 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Australia, Scandinavia and the Netherlands. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site, which is located at www.activision.com.

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 Activision’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. These important factors, and other factors that could affect Activision, are described in Activision’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003, which was filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers of this press release are referred to such filings.

News news news.....*becomes dilirious by posting news and not having anything to say on the subject he is posting the news on*

[Dyne]

I think this game is meek in comparison to Ninja Gaiden now.. the only real redeeming value I could find is playing as a Ninja Dog..

Cause Ninja Dogs are awesome..

But still.. nothing can top Ninja Gaiden in my books, now. This game should have been released sooner to get a head start on it.

[Professor S]

The only similarity between these two games is that they involve ninja's. On every other level they are completely different.

[Vampyr]

Here is a "fact sheet" for anyone interested.



TENCHU: RETURN FROM DARKNESS

FACT SHEET

Developer: K2, Ltd.
Release Date: March 2004
Platform: Xbox( video game system from Microsoft
Suggested Retail Price: $49.99
ESRB rating: "M" ("Mature" - violence, blood and gore - content suitable for persons ages 17 and older)

PRODUCT SUMMARY
Tenchu(r): Return from Darkness(tm) brings the acclaimed Tenchu(r) stealth ninja series to the Xbox(r) video game system from Microsoft - delivering the most realistic ninja action-adventure game ever. Based on Tenchu(r): Wrath of Heaven(tm) for the PlayStation(r)2 computer entertainment system, Tenchu: Return from Darkness offers several new enhancements including two exclusive single-player maps, improved gameplay balance with re-tuned enemy intelligence and item placement, a user-interactive training mode, realistic graphics and an Xbox Live(tm) component featuring two player online co-op action.

FEATURES
* New Stealth Attacks and Improved Fighting Engine - Master combo attacks, including stealth moves and jumping attacks, played out in realistic detail via a robust fighting engine. Gamers take on the role of three characters, Rikimaru, Ayame and Tesshu, an unlockable assassin, utilizing over 20 authentic ninja weapons and tools and earning new abilities and combos by racking up stealth kills.

* Exclusive Xbox Content and Enhancements - Tenchu: Return from Darkness features 11 single-player maps including two new levels that take players on a journey to a samurai mansion and deserted pagoda temple. Improved gameplay balance with re-tuned enemy intelligence and item placement force gamers to think on their feet.

* Xbox Live and Multiplayer Action - The Xbox Live mode allows for two-player co-op missions through six levels, as well as online voice chat functionality. The multiplayer action offers six levels and two modes of play - co-operative team oriented missions and Hunter-Hunted death matches.

* New Restart and Continue Functions - Tenchu: Return from Darkness features two exclusive new functions for both hardcore and novice players. The restart function allows them to restart a mission with all of the items previously collected. The continue function, designed for novice players, alleviates the frustration of dying early in pitfalls and having to start at the beginning of a mission.

* Multiple Mission Paths - Fans can complete unique mission objectives including espionage, theft and assassination. Crafted levels allow players to determine the most efficient way to achieve mission goals. Multiple game endings based on earlier decisions in the game and enemy placements, keep players coming back for more.

* Stunningly Realistic Graphics and Special Effects - Taking full advantage of the Xbox's graphical capabilities, Tenchu: Return from Darkness features 11 detailed levels with realistic lighting and weather effects, breakable items and authentic character animations.