11.03.2003
New specialized Zboard™
keysets target online, strategy and role playing games
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Toronto, ON – November 3, 2003 – In a steady advance on the gaming world, Ideazon, Inc. today announced agreements with computer gaming giants Sony Online Entertainment, Atari, Activision, Epic Games and Artifact Entertainment that will see Ideazon develop customized keyboard keysets for popular video games brought to market by those companies.
Starting in November, gamers will have access to more advanced gaming control with six new specialized keysets for the Zboard™ input device: EverQuest®, EverQuest® II and PlanetSide™ by Sony Online Entertainment; Empires: Dawn of the Modern World from Activision; Unreal® Tournament, Unreal® Tournament 2003 and the upcoming Unreal® Tournament 2004 from Epic Games, Digital Extremes and Atari and Horizons: Empires of Istaria from Artifact Entertainment, published by Atari.
“We believe the increasingly popular Zboard’s keyset is an ideal peripheral which will enhance the exciting gameplay of Empires: Dawn of the Modern World,” said Justin Berenbaum, Senior Manager, Licensing & Business Development of Activision, Inc. “The Zboard will no doubt appeal to gamers of all skill levels and make the game that much more enjoyable and accessible.” Launched in early 2003, the Zboard system allows users to switch between customized keysets on the fly, enabling them to access specialized commands for specific games and applications. The Zboard is the world’s first intelligent, intuitive keyboard that is easy to use and shortens learning time. Thanks to the Zboard, PC users can play harder, learn faster and work smarter.
With the introduction of these keysets, fans of EverQuest and EverQuest II will have specialized macro commands for those games available at their fingertips. Players will feel more in touch with the high adventures of their noble paladins and evil shadowknights. Similarly, participants in PlanetSide, a massively multiplayer online game, will be able to increase their speed and agility during intense one-on-one combat or vehicular warfare with commands that are easy to find and learn.
Likewise, the keyset for real-time strategy game Empires: Dawn of the Modern World brings the action of the epochs onto the desktops of history buffs and civilization-builders who love to game. Clearly labeled commands and unique command zones permit players to react quickly to the events in their online world.
“Relationships with major gaming industry players such as Sony Online Entertainment, Activision, Atari, Epic Games and Artifact Entertainment are essential to our business and help us deliver compelling products to our consumers,” said Sid Oziel, Vice-President of Marketing, Ideazon Inc. “Partnering with these market leaders demonstrates that Ideazon is a solid player in the gaming market. Game and application developers are now coming to us for customized keysets and we are working closely with them to expand our offerings.”
When playing Unreal Tournament, Unreal Tournament 2003 or the upcoming Unreal Tournament 2004, even the most demanding gamers will see dramatic improvement in their speed and agility thanks to the Zboard. As players enter daunting arenas and battlefields they will appreciate the intuitive layout of the Zboard keyset and will rely on it for an additional edge.
For those who want to meet other gaming fans online, keysets for massively multi-player online role playing games (MMORPG) ease access to immense fantasy worlds like the universe of Horizons: Empires of Istaria, in which gamers experience incredible scenery, meet thousands of other players and create their own worlds.
The Zboard is the world's first computer input device with interchangeable keyset technology for business and game-specific software applications. The keysets snap into a single base, instantly launching a PC game or application.
Ideazon’s Zboard keysets for Empires: Dawn of the Modern World from Activision will be available early November, while those for EverQuest, EverQuest II and PlanetSide by Sony Online Entertainment, the Unreal Tournament franchise by Epic Games, Digital Extremes and Atari and Horizons: Empires of Istaria by Artifact Entertainment will be available in early 2004. Ideazon’s Zboard products are available in stores and online through http://www.ideazon.com. The suggested retail price of the Zboard Starter System is $29.99 US. The suggested retail price of Zboard keysets for games and applications range from $14.99 US to $39.99 US.
About Ideazon, Inc.
North American-based Ideazon, Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets intelligent computer input devices that enable a new level of interaction with computers. The Zboard system enhances performance, improves end-user satisfaction, accelerates training and adoption, and dramatically increases productivity. Ideazon is headquartered in Vaughan, Ontario with offices in California and Israel. For more information, contact Ideazon toll-free at 1-866-433-2966 or visit the company’s web site at http://www.ideazon.com.
For additional information contact:
Derek Baker
Senior Consultant, Porter Novelli Canada
(416) 422-7158
derek.baker@porternovelli.com
