NEW YORK, Jun 29, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Maintaining industry supremacy by fusing cutting edge gaming technologies with current affairs, Kuma Reality Games announced today the release of Kuma\War's 75th episode, "The Death of Zarqawi." Realistically simulating the bold strike that killed al-Queda leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, this latest mission transports players deep behind enemy lines in the middle-east conflict, allowing comprehensive access to the military strategies that brought down the most wanted man in Iraq. A captivating 3D video game re-creating the events surrounding the June 7th strike, "The Death of Zarqawi" is now in an open Beta period and is available for free public download at Kuma\War (www.kumagames.com).
Created within two weeks of the real-life bombing, this extraordinary episode allows gamers to join the U.S.-led coalition stationed just outside the house where al-Zarqawi is meeting with other insurgent leaders and choose between two strategies of attack: calling-in the real-life air strike that killed Zarqawi, or an alternate on-foot ambush which involves storming the guarded house and attempting to capture the terrorist leader alive.
"The strike on al-Zarqawi is one the most significant public events for the U.S. coalition in the war in Iraq since the 2003 capture of Saddam Hussein," said Keith Halper, CEO, Kuma Reality Games. "As a company committed to reporting on military conflicts in the virtual space, it was crucial that we create a Kuma\War episode based on the events surrounding al-Zarqawi's death while it is still a relevant international hot topic."
As with all Kuma\War episodes, "The Death of Zarqawi" will contain expert analysis and a thoughtful discussion of the political ramifications of military action as well as a playable 3D simulation, allowing ordinary individuals to choose how to resolve realistic military conflicts. Additionally, the game features a realistic digital recreation of Zarqawi himself.
For more than two years, Kuma\War has expanded the boundaries of news reporting through accurate and timely re-creations of real-world military events. As a broadband leader in episodic games, Kuma is committed to turning around missions for its audience in a matter of weeks. Kuma\War episodes are powered by Source(TM) - the same award-winning game engine technology Valve(R) created to power Half-Life(R) 2 - and are available for free download at www.kumagames.com.
KUMA, LLC. is the industry leader in the new market for Episodic Video Games -- rich, 3D, immersive game experiences delivered to PCs and consoles in weekly episodes. Using their pioneering technology, Kuma develops and delivers games with unprecedented speed, making game episodes that reflect just-released TV shows or films, real world events, audience input or players' own in-game actions. These episodic games are a thoroughly unique user experience and present distinct marketing advantages for content owners and distributors. Kuma Reality Games, headquartered in New York, New York, is a privately held company.
Note to Editors: Screenshots Available At: http://bhimpactpress.com/Kuma/Kuma%5cWar/Screens/ 2006_Episodes/Zarqawi/. (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.)
SOURCE: Kuma Reality Games
CONTACT: Bender/Helper Impact Karen Raque, 310-694-3138 karen_raque@bhimpact.com or Chrystina Woody, 310-694-3149
chrystina_woody@bhimpact.com
Copyright Business Wire 2006