Iceberg Interactive Acquires European Publishing Rights for the action/fighting game Zeno Clash

Haarlem, The Netherlands – 17 August 2009 – Up and coming videogame publisher Iceberg Interactive today announced that it has acquired the European publishing rights to the PC action/fighting game “Zeno Clash”, from Santiago, Chile, based videogame developer ACE Team. Scheduled for retail release throughout Europe in Q4-2009, Zeno Clash is a unique fighting game mixed with FPS elements. The gameplay has a strong focus on melee fighting blended with ranged combat using unconventional weapons.

Nominated for 'Excellence in Visual Art' at the Independent Games Festival, the spectacular graphics and visual style breathes new life into the fantasy game genre. The innovative close combat mechanics are also a deviation from traditional action in the first-person genre that will feel fresh for new and veteran players alike.

Zeno Clash is set in the punk fantasy world of Zenozoik, a land of exotic places and bizarre creatures. Players take on the role of Ghat, a man banished by his own brothers and forced to begin a desperate journey for survival through the forbidden desert and to the end of the world.

Erik Schreuder, CEO of Iceberg Interactive said: “Zeno Clash is a major accomplishment by the ‘indie’ developers of ACE Team and it has rightfully received worldwide acclaim and has won many awards already. We are therefore thrilled to be publishing the game throughout Europe in the upcoming fall. With its wonderfully colourful and truly amazing environments and addictive first person melee and ranged combat, Zeno Clash is a jaw dropping trip, a true experience that will stick with gamers forever. This is one not to be missed by anyone.”

Andres Bordeu, cofounder of ACE Team said: “We’re extremely happy to have partnered with Iceberg Interactive to bring Zeno Clash to the retail market in Europe. We’re certain that through their experience and passion for games, Zeno Clash will reach a broader audience that is eager to experience new and unique games. We’re confident that Zeno Clash is in excellent hands.”

Reviewer comments:

IGN – “Zeno Clash sticks with you long after you play it, and that's a compliment many games aspire to have associated with them.” - 84%

PC Gamer - A completely welcome contrast to anything you've ever played, supported by the most intense first-person fisticuffs we've seen in a game.” - 84%

EUROGamer – “…It's beautiful, brutal and, in many ways, brilliant.” - 8/10

AceGamez – “…Zeno Clash is a sterling example of how to make a game. Graphics, sound and gameplay merge perfectly to make this more of an experience than just a game.” - 9/10

Key features:

• Engaging melee combat in first person:
  • The combat in Zeno Clash is up, close & personal. The new melee combat system allows players to perform a variety of movements like deflect & elude combos, knockback finisher punches and punishing grab attacks. The depth of the combat system will put player's skills to the test. Learn new attacks as the game progresses and confronts you with more formidable foes.
• Fantastic visuals powered by the source engine:
  • Players will be immersed in a fantastic world, beautiful and disturbing at the same time. The unprecedented art style brings a fresh new approach to the first person genre. The surreal environments and characters will keep player's wanting to discover more.
• Survival mode challenges:
  • Jump right into the action in engaging unlockable "tower challenges". The player must overcome enemy waves to progress through the tower levels. The game will rate the player in different categories like speed and performance. A leaderboards system will rank you against your friends, so the challenge never ends.
• Deep storyline:
  • Zeno Clash is a story driven game. Player's will play the role of Ghat; the son of a impressive hermaphrodite creature called Father-Mother, whose children form the most powerful clan in the city of Halstedom. Ghat must escape from his family and start an incredible journey with his female companion Deadra, who will aid him in the dangerous lands of Zenozoik.
• Bizarre weapons:
  • An unusual arsenal of weapons is available for those who can manage to keep the enemy at a range. The eccentric weapons are built from scraps and junk, but they are most effective when used properly. Hammers and clubs will be the most effective when fighting heavy characters that can only be brought down with extreme force.
• Beautiful soundtrack:
  • The beautiful musical score is as varied as the game's settings. The original soundtrack will keep players immersed in the different environments and key parts of the story.

About ACE Team Software

ACE Team is an entertainment software developer based in Santiago, Chile. Most of our members have worked in the videogame industry for years, but just recently we have decided to found our own independent company and make the kind of games we really want to play. The team is composed by several professionals, some of us having years of experience working on games for both PC and XBOX 360 Live Arcade. ACE Team has licensed the award winning Source Engine to develop and distribute its debut game Zeno Clash.