NCsoft® Europe, the world’s leading developer and publisher of online computer games, announced today that Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa™, a massively multiplayer online (MMO) game for the PC where players are thrust into an exciting intergalactic struggle, has launched its commercial service in Europe and North America.

“Now the fun begins! I can’t wait to join thousands of other players in this exciting galactic war,” said Richard Garriott, the game’s executive producer. “It is time for us to release Tabula Rasa to the players. I am eager to see player reaction to the game, and am ready to build on what we’ve started here. We’ve got plans for new features and expansions for the foreseeable future and I’m hoping the players will enjoy the game and get excited about what’s in store for them next!”

Tabula Rasa, one of the most anticipated PC titles of the year, is the vision of gaming legend Richard Garriott. The game combines a rich game world and deep storyline with military combat and fast paced action. Set in a near-future science fiction backdrop, players must fight to save humanity against hostile alien enemies trying to gain control of the universe. The game introduces several innovative elements to massively multiplayer online games, including a Character Cloning System™ that allows players to explore different character classes without having to create a new character, and dynamic battlefields where players feel the frenetic action of combat in an ongoing war.

“We are all very excited about the addition of Tabula Rasa to our catalog of games,” stated Geoff Heath, CEO of NCsoft’s European operation. “One of NCsoft’s goals is to provide different types of online gaming products – both within the ‘proven’ fantasy genre and outside the genre, as well. This game is truly unique; we hope that Tabula Rasa’s science fiction background and military combat action proves to be enjoyable to many types of gamers.” The standard edition box of Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa will be available at major retailers at an expected retail price of Ł29.99 / €44.99 and at the PlayNC® store (https://secure.plaync.com/cgi-bin/Store.pl?language=en-gb). Customers will be able to purchase the recently announced Limited Collector’s Edition box from major retailers at an expected retail price of Ł49.99 / €69.99. Both products include the first month of online game play. After the first month, players will be charged a monthly subscription fee of Ł8.99 / €12.99. The game is rated 16+ by PEGI (www.pegi.info).

For more information about Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa go to http://www.rgtr.com. For more information about the Limited Collector’s Edition go to http://eu.rgtr.com/en/join_the_fight