Lighthouse interactive To Use Popular Xfire Gaming Platform in
SWORD OF THE STARS

Xfire To Act as a Key Multiplayer Solution for the Game

MENLO PARK, CA – April 3rd, 2006 – Xfire, Inc., the most complete, all-in-one PC gaming application in the world, and Lighthouse Interactive have agreed to incorporate the Xfire online gaming platform into Sword of the Stars, a breakthrough 4X Strategy game by the core team behind the highly acclaimed title, Home World: Cataclysm. Implementing Xfire’s technology as a key multiplayer solution for Sword of the Stars will provide players a complete online gaming experience using Xfire’s unique friend tracking, in-game messaging, group voice communication, and game lobby joining features. 

Sword of the Stars returns gamers to the action-packed roots of the 4X genre with some new twists, including a 3D starmap and real-time combat resolution in a 3D environment. Playing as one of 4 unique races, gamers will explore planets, research new technologies and create empires in a hostile universe where weakness means extinction and only the strongest will survive. The game is scheduled to be released in Q2 2006 and is developed by Vancouver based Kerberos Productions.

“The multiplayer online play in Sword of the Stars makes the game really unique,” said Raymond Snippe, Development Manager for Lighthouse Interactive. “Combining our multiplayer gameplay with Xfire’s array of great multiplayer tools is sure to make a winning combination. We look forward to delivering a compelling online experience to their growing community of users.” 

Xfire CEO Mike Cassidy commented, “We’re excited to partner with Lighthouse Interactive to make Xfire a key multiplayer solution for Sword of the Stars users while increasing Lighthouse Interactive’s presence within Xfire’s more than three and a half million registered gamer community.” 

Xfire also makes online gaming easier for users by showing them when their friends are online, revealing what games their friends are playing, and enabling them to join their friends with one click. Xfire is also the only instant-messaging application that allows users to send and receive messages while playing many PC games without having to minimize or Alt-tab out of the game.  Other Xfire features include file downloads, stats tracking, and voice chat. 

To download Xfire for free, please visit http://www.xfire.com.

About Xfire

Xfire, Inc. is the fastest growing online gaming platform and community in the world. Xfire helps gamers play with their friends much more easily. Xfire is also a server browser, IM, and file download system designed just for gamers. Xfire has over three and a half million members in over 100 countries. Company management includes Mike Cassidy (former CEO of Direct Hit), Chris Kirmse (creator of Meridian 59), Adam Boyden, and Dennis "Thresh" Fong (World Champion of Quake). Xfire is funded by Draper Fisher Jurvetson, NEA, and Granite Global Ventures. Xfire is supported by advertisers and marketers trying to reach the 18-34 male audience

About Kerberos Productions

Kerberos Productions is a gathering of seasoned video game developers, with over 35 years of collective experience, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Before forming their own company, the team was responsible in the development of both Homeworld: Cataclysm for Sierra and Treasure Planet: Battle at Procyon for Disney Interactive. Team members have also worked on over a dozen hit games, including Homeworld, Ground Control, Team Fortress, and Counterstrike. With an interest in games of all types, Kerberos intends to establish a reputation in the gaming industry by applying our experience towards a high standard of strategy and action games. Kerberos is a unified group of industry veterans who don't just make video games, but play and understand them.

About Lighthouse Interactive

Lighthouse Interactive is a fast growing global publisher of interactive entertainment with offices in Haarlem, The Netherlands, and Montreal, Canada. Lighthouse’s games include the recently released and critically acclaimed adventure title "Keepsake" and the upcoming highly anticipated 4x strategy hybrid "Sword of the Stars". Staffed with industry veterans and with offices in key locations around the world, Lighthouse is a strong alternative for developers looking to bring their products to a worldwide audience.