GarageGames Fires Off New Orbz

Orbz 2.0 scores a hit with new & innovative arcade/strategy game play

Eugene, Ore. - April 22, 2003 - GarageGames and 21-6 Productions launch Orbz 2.0 with thirty-five all new single-player challenges, online community high scores, computer opponents called Botz, three new courses to compete on, 15 new orbs to choose from, and now available on Mac OS X, Linux, and Windows.

In the new "solo" mode of Orbz 2.0, the player completes a series of progressively difficult challenges that focus on scoring the most points in different scenarios. Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals are awarded for scoring performance and high scores for each challenge are tracked world-wide against the entire Orbz community. Players can unlock special new orbs in single-player with unique features found on no other orb, providing a trophy that players can show off during online play.

Computer opponents, called Botz, enhance the multi-player experience proven so successful in earlier versions of Orbz. Botz will automatically adjust their difficulty level to provide a challenge to all Orbz players alike, newbie or otherwise. Up to 9 Botz can be added to a multi-player match and will be dropped as necessary to make room for human players that join the game.

"It's one of the few games that a beginner can learn and enjoy within minutes yet it still challenges the advanced player," says Blaine Wilson, a Dad with young children, "Furthermore, I can enjoy it withmy boys as Orbz is non-violent. This game is definitely a rarity!" From another parent and game developer, Simon Windmill, "Orbz is the only game I've played that feels like an FPS without actually being one. I've spent more time playing Orbz in the past two months than any of the big name, big budget, big price games I've bought in the past two years."

Orbz is in the GarageGames Blast line of non-violent family games, and was the first independently developed game released using the Torque Game Engine. “We're very excited to see Orbz 2.0 launching with all the features that we could have envisioned for the game,” comments Jay Moore, GarageGames Evangelist. “The passion of the developers and collaboration with players is evident in this retail quality title. With Orbz coming from an independent, self-funded development studio, it’s a signal that indies have got game.”

“Orbz has a new and innovative style of play that isn’t found in other games,” says Justin Mette President of 21-6 Productions, “we invite you to play the demo of Orbz and see just what we are talking about.” A free demo of Orbz can be downloaded from all the major download sites or from http://www.21-6.com/orbz_downloads.asp  .

About Orbz 2.0

Orbz is an action/arcade game set in colorful 3D environments. The object of the game is to shoot your orb at targets located throughout 14 distinct courses in a race to score the most points. Game play includes both strategic single-player challenges and intense multi-player action. Power-ups, like the "Money Shot" and "Curse of the Goober", are also available to either give you a scoring advantage or to slow down your opponents. Orbz will appeal to a wide variety of gamers because it's easy to learn and yet provides enough depth and strategy to challenge advanced players.

About 21-6 Productions

21-6 Productions Inc. is a Colorado-based studio founded in the summer of 2000 by three software engineers with extensive experience in enterprise software development and management. Since late in 2001, the team has grown to include the wide variety of talent needed to develop quality games including management, programming, concept art, 3D modeling, level design, and audio engineering. Their mission is to create a successful game studio by combining their professional backgrounds with their passion for games. http://www.21-6.com

About GarageGames

Located in Eugene, Oregon, GarageGames (http://www.garagegames.com) is pioneering on-line game publisher. Their mission is to provide independent game makers with tools, technology, education, team-building information…and, even the market they need to make and sell great games. GarageGames is most famous for bringing the Torque Game Engine, the technology behind Sierra's "Tribes 2," to Indie developers for only $100.

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