BOSTON, MA — (August 7, 2001) — Fishtank Interactive is pleased to announce that international beta testing has begun for their upcoming 3D turn-based strategy game, Etherlords™, developed by Nival Interactive. Over 500 players have been selected to take part in the first stage of the beta test at www.etherlords.com.

«We are very grateful to players all over the world for this outstanding activity and their keen interest in Etherlords,» said Alex Dmitrevsky, Vice President of Business Development at Nival Interactive. «We look forward to hearing some great feedback from the beta test candidates, so we can make it even better and and ensure the game's success.»

The application for the first stage of the beta test expired on July 8. During the first week, www.etherlords.com received over 4,000 applications with the majority of candidates from the United States and other countries outside the developers' native Russia. All candidates registered before July 8 have been notified of their beta tester status.

Applicants who were not selected to take part in the first stage, including those applying after the beginning of the first stage, will have the opportunity to take part in the second stage of the beta test. Each stage will presumably last for two working weeks. Fifty beta testers selected as the most industrious will be rewarded with the release version of the game. Their names will also be included in the game's credits.

About Etherlords

A visually stunning game supported by a compelling story and distinctive design, Etherlords features a unique combat system that innovatively melds the best of trading-card game play and strategic resource management. Four magical races battle for supremacy in a fantasy world full of extravagant detail and realism. Players can choose from over 300 spells, each with its own amazing effects.

Key game features of Etherlords include:

• Over 300 magic spells with spectacular visual effects.
• Over 160 highly detailed monsters to engage in combat.
• Vast variety of elegant, personalized animations for each character and monster.
• Complex diplomacy system featuring long-term alliances and barter dealings.
• Diverse multiplayer options including cooperative mode and Internet rating system support.
• Internet and LAN play for up to eight players with a tailor-made dynamic combat system.