MEAN HAMSTER SOFTWARE ACQUIRES RIGHTS TO ENTIRE LINE OF ARCADE LEGEND EXIDY
MEAN HAMSTER SOFTWARE TO REVAMP AN OLD CLASSIC
Deer Park, WA, U.S.A., March 1, 2006 – Mean Hamster Software, Inc., the Spokane area, Washington based developer of the award wining Myst And Riven for Pocket PC, revealed today the acquisition of development rights to the entire line of Arcade game pioneer Exidy. Originally released between 1976 and 1996, Exidy created many innovative titles, which at the time were considered revolutionary. The first title to be worked on is Crossbow, the first game with fully digitized sound and graphics (previous games featured only pre-recorded cassette tape based sounds sound). It also featured some of the most advanced graphics for the time.
Crossbow™will be an upgraded scene for scene remake of the original arcade classic but will feature enhanced 1024x768 resolution graphics, sounds and music for today's high powered PCs and mobile devices.
Mean Hamster Software's president John Swiderski commented: "We have always found Exidy historically interesting and it has been a lot of fun revamping one of our own personal favorite games of all time. It's been great to work with such a pioneer of the industry. Exidy was known for trying new and innovative things, regardless of how the public would accept it, now more then ever the industry is desperately in need for new and innovative ideas."
About Exidy – One of the largest creators of arcade video games during the early period of video games, from 1975-1983. Some of the most notable games released included Crossbow, Fire One, Star Fire, Venture, Pepper II, and Mouse-Trap. Exidy was most famous for its light gun games, beginning with the game Crossbow. They were unusual because the goal is to protect characters walking through the scenes by shooting down ghosts and other creatures which are trying to attack them. These games were also the first to feature fully digitized sound, for all sound effects and for music (much more advanced than any other games at the time up until the 16-bit generation). Exidy also made a brief entry into the computer market, with the Exidy Sorcerer computer released in 1978.
About Mean Hamster Software – Since 1985 Mean Hamster Software has developed and published numerous titles for the Commodore 64 and Amiga computers. Mean Hamster Software has focused on supporting the ‘Retro Gaming’ community, writing new software and supporting the ‘retired’ systems, releasing the world’s first new title for the aged Atari 5200 system since 1985. Mean Hamster Software more recently converted the award wining Myst and Riven (Myst 2) for Pocket PC and is currently developing several titles with other valued partners for most portable/hand-held platforms as well as for Online and Windows PCs. For more information please visit http://www.meanhamstersoftware.com
For more information, please contact:
John Swiderski
Mean Hamster Software Inc.
++509 276 1550
Support@meanhamstersoftware.com
Crossbow™, Exidy Inc., and its logo are registered trademarks of Xidy Inc., all rights reserved. Mean Hamster Software and the Mean Hamster Logo are registered trademarks of Mean Hamster Software Inc., all rights reserved.