AUGUST 17, 2001

 Microsoft today announced that the official Web site for Nightcaster is now live at http://www.microsoft.com/games/nightcaster. Players will experience the look and feel of Nightcaster as they learn about the four spell schools of Light, Dark, Fire and Water.  Delving deeper into the site will yield a glimpse at some of the many enemy creatures and extraordinary spell effects. Gamers will also begin to uncover the story behind Nightcaster, and the many challenges and adventures the game has to offer.

Nightcaster is a fast and furious action adventure game featuring intensely addictive real-time spell combat and exploration.  You play as Arran, a young boy chosen by the force of Light, who grows in age, skill and magical powers as he progresses throughout the game.  Throughout his quest, Arran must find and learn over 40 different spells for combat against more than 30 different types of enemy creatures.  Arran's ultimate goal: to defeat the forces of Darkness and bring light back into the world.

Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/) is Microsoft's future-generation video game system that delivers the most powerful games experiences ever. Xbox empowers game artists by giving them the technology to fulfill their creative visions as never before, creating games that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Xbox will be available in North America on Nov. 8, 2001, at the estimated retail price of $299.99* (U.S.).