Press Releases

Yosemite Entertainment Creating Babylon 5 CD-ROM Games for Sierra FX Brand 18/10/98

SIERRA PRESS RELEASE
Yosemite Entertainment Creating Babylon 5 CD-ROM Games for Sierra FX Brand
Sierra Design Group Partners with Warner Bros

Oct.18.98
Yosemite Entertainment, the original design studio of computer gaming pioneer Sierra On-Line, has entered into a major multi-faceted partnership with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment to create interactive entertainment products based on J. Michael Straczynski's Babylon 5. The popular science fiction television series debuted its fifth season in January on Turner Network Television. Yosemite Entertainment's game designers and Babylon 5's producers are working in tandem to extend the Babylon 5 universe into the arena of interactive CD-ROMs, with the game using actual digital models, effects and music from the show.

In making the announcement, Yosemite Entertainment General Manager Craig Alexander said "We're combining Sierra's expertise in developing best-selling hit titles for CD-ROMs with the quality content of Babylon 5. We wanted more than a license; we wanted a true creative partnership, and that's what we found with Warner Bros. and the whole Babylon 5 team. We're looking forward to using the unique combination of our talents, all the while continuing to match the level of excellent content established by the series."

The first title, "The Official Guide to J. Michael Straczynski's Babylon 5," which shipped in November 1997, takes viewers straight to the Babylon 5 space station, providing an inside look at ships, weapons, governments, main characters and locations. It includes video clips, written descriptions and technical data. Even hard-core fans have found fascinating new insights into the Babylon 5 universe.

In addition, the reference product includes an enhanced CD containing the music of Christopher Franke, the composer for the Babylon 5 television series. Franke is famous for his work with the trailblazing electronic musical group Tangerine Dream. The CD-ROM also includes several new tracks written specifically for Yosemite Entertainment's upcoming space combat game, due to be released in mid-1999. The enhanced CD finishes off with interactive interviews with production staff members and actors who work on the show, including series creator J. Michael Straczynski himself.

Slated for a late-1999 release under the Sierra Studios brand name, the space combat simulator will faithfully recreate the look and feel of the TV series, both in graphic detail and accurate flight technology. Working directly with series creator Straczynski, the game designers are striving to satisfy Babylon 5 fans, hard-core space combat fans, and those interested in real-time gaming strategy.

"We think it's time to pursue new media for our content and provide our loyal viewers with a new way to enjoy Babylon 5," said Michael Harkavy, Warner Bros.' Vice-President of Worldwide Publishing and Interactive Entertainment, speaking at the time of the announcement. "We are fortunate to have such an experienced industry leader as Sierra as our partner on this exciting project."

Warner Bros. Consumer Products, which includes the Licensing, Studio Stores, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, WB Sport and WB Toys Divisions, is a division of Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P.

Sierra On-Line®, Inc. is part of Cendant Software. Cendant is the word's premier provider of consumer and business services. Cendant operates in three principal segments: Alliance Marketing, Travel and Real Estate Services. Headquartered in Parsippany, NJ, the company has more than 40,000 employees, operates in over 100 countries and makes approximately 100 million customer contacts annually.

C O N T A C T
Genevieve Ostergard
Senior Public Relations Manager
Sierra Studios
gostergard@sierra.com
+1 (949) 362 264

© 1998 Sierra Studios, a division of Sierra On-Line, Inc.
Babylon 5™ is a trademark of Warner Bros.

and I will include them on the next update.

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