Contacts:

Kellogg Creek Software, Inc.
Randy Chase
(503) 653-2544
randy@kelloggcreek.com

WON.net
Michelle Stephens
(425) 649-9800 x5189
michelle.stephens@won.net

THE LEGEND BEGINS:

KELLOGG CREEK SOFTWARE RELEASES SPIRITWARS™
A DYNAMIC ONLINE GAME OF STRATEGY & SPELL CASTING

Portland, Oregon. June 11, 1999 – Kellogg Creek Software announced this week the formal release of SpiritWars, an online-only strategy game that blends the mystique of trading card games with the traditional strategy of a board game.

SpiritWars draws freely from a variety of traditional design concepts, but blends them into a unique playing experience that represents a refreshing alternative to the current action-oriented theme of Internet gaming. The game’s low bandwidth requirements deliver a satisfying playing experience for players with slower Internet connections and international players.

The game’s fundamentals are easy to learn – players battle to destroy their opponent’s castle. A varied population of game pieces and magical spells create infinite opportunities as players define a unique playing style and philosophy. The playing pieces, called Spirits, combine familiar features of traditional board games with design elements previously found only in collectable trading card games.

With a heavy reliance on traditional mythology and folklore, Spiritwars appeals to strategy, fantasy and war gamers. Because of the familiar board game design and stylish look, complete with an art gallery representing history’s greatest painters and colorful literary prose, SpiritWars appeals to casual gamers as well.

SpiritWars represents a major focus shift for Kellogg Creek Software and designer Randy Chase who is best known for his political simulations ("The Doonesbury Election Game" and "Power Politics"). Chase explains how SpiritWars remains consistent with Kellogg Creek’s long-term goals, "As with our political simulations, SpiritWars delivers an entertaining and original playing experience that stimulates thought, instead of exercising reflexes. We also remain committed to our belief that there is a growing market for non-violent alternatives in online entertainment."

The game is available in two versions: an unlimited free-play version available exclusively on WON.net and an enhanced pay version supported by the Kellogg Creek servers.

"WON.net is continually adding to the quality content and community elements of our site," said Scott Fasser, product manger of WON.net. "The exclusive opportunity to offers SpiritWars, a unique game designed strictly for online play, is an incredible enhancement to our site and our community. SpiritWars represents a game that is both strategic and quick with each game lasting about 20 minutes."

According to Chase, "with over 350 playing pieces available and over 500 playing maps, and all in-game features identical to the pay version, the WON.net version of SpiritWars provides literally an infinite range of unique playing possibilities."

While the actual game features are identical in both versions, the member version includes a complex multi-tiered rating system and individual ownership and trading of playing pieces, further enhancing the trading-card aspects of the game design. Access to the member version is available on a subscription basis ($65 for a year, $40 for six months, $25 for three months.)

Unlike other trading-card games currently offered online, Kellogg Creek offers unlimited free play for the basic membership fee, with no additional "purchasing" of playing pieces required. "One of our primary goals," Chase explained, "is to create a fair and level playing field, and to stay away from a business model that guarantees that the players willing to spend more money gain a playing advantage."

SpiritWars represents Kellogg Creek’s first on-line product. According to Chase, "Our goal was to develop an original product, designed strictly for play and delivery via the Internet. Most on-line activity involves games designed for the retail market with some level of Internet functionality added. We believe that in the long run, success on the Internet is going to require original concepts and creative new designs."

"In many ways," Chase explained, "developing a true Internet game is like stepping back in time to the days before the introduction of the CD-ROM. Then a developer had to make sure that every byte of code and pixel of graphics delivered some tangible gaming value. When you’re delivering the complete package via the modem, you really have to justify every element of information you’re asking the user to download. If it doesn’t directly contribute to the playing experience, it has to go."

SpiritWars was in development for over four years, including a long public beta phase on WON.net. (A recent on-line party celebrated the 50,000^th game of SpiritWars played on WON.net.)

Chase is available for media interviews, and press accounts can be set up, upon request, for the member (pay to play) version of SpiritWars by contacting Kellogg Creek Software.

For more information, please visit either the game web site (http://www.spiritwars.com) or WON.net (http://won.net) or call Randy Chase (503-653-2544) or Michelle Stephens (425-649-9800 x5189). A fact sheet, FAQ and Reviewer’s Guide are also available upon request.

(SpiritWars is a registered trademark of Kellogg Creek Software, Inc.)