Tapwave's Zodiac Enters Handheld Gaming Market

Tapwave has begun shipping the Zodiac, the new kid on the block in mobile gaming. The console is offered in two models - the Zodiac1 for $299 (32MB RAM) and the Zodiac2 for $399 (128MB RAM). Both models are available exclusively at www.tapwave.com. Zodiac represents the first in a new category of handheld products designed from the ground up to address the mobile entertainment and on-the-go lifestyle needs of technology enthusiasts. Zodiac delivers both fun and function in a sleek and ergonomic 6.3 ounce, anodized-aluminum design.

On the fun side, the Zodiac console not only provides an unparalleled mobile gaming device with analog control, 3D graphics, stereo sound, vibration effects, and wireless multiplayer gaming, but also everything required for a rich multimedia experience including music, pictures and video. From the 'function' perspective Zodiac also offers the added benefit of running a Tapwave enhanced version of the Palm Operating System (5.2T) and provides immediate access to the more than 19,000 existing applications, including the world's leading personal information management tools.

Since officially announcing the company six months ago, over 1200 game developers have signed up for the Tapwave developer program and requested the software development kit (SDK). The majority of these developers are coming from established computing and entertainment platforms (e.g., Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Game Boy) and over 40% are from international markets. Already these developers have specifically optimized several titles to take advantage of the Zodiac's analog controller, high resolution display (480 x 320), landscape and portrait modes, interactive touch screen, and graphics acceleration. A few examples of these games include: Crimson Fire's Galactic Realms and Phantom Strike, Handmark's Warfare Incorporated, MegaSoft 2000's MegaBowling and Billiards. We expect this community of developers to produce many more exciting and innovative titles in the months ahead.

Tapwave is also partnering with leading game publishers to bring well-known premiere titles to Zodiac console users. A few of these premiere titles include: Activision's Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4, Midway's SpyHunter, id Software DOOM II, Atari's Neverwinter Nights and Apogee's Duke Nukem Mobile.

In addition to the new premiere titles, the Zodiac entertainment console provides a perfect platform to bring classic games back to life. With its ATI Imageon graphics accelerator and Motorola i.MX ARM 9 processors, the Zodiac is the first handheld device to have enough power to run full versions of "retro" game engines. This year Zodiac users will be able to run Sega Genesis, Atari 2600, and Commodore 64 titles on-the-go. Sega of America, Inc. is the first company to have completed this type of partnership with Tapwave. Zodiac users will be able to play such Sega Genesis classics like Golden Axe 3 and Altered Beast. Since Zodiac also runs the Palm OS, customers can also choose among the 1000+ games already available on the operating system.

"With the incredible enthusiasm the Zodiac has had from the developer community, we are looking forward to a robust and diverse selection of game titles optimized especially for our platform," said Byron Connell, Co-founder and Senior VP of Tapwave. "By the end of the year, we hope Zodiac users will find something to satisfy any game craving, whether it be a role-playing, real-time strategy, action, adventure, or anything in-between.

Video games and other applications can be purchased and downloaded directly from the Tapwave website (www.Tapwave.com). Premiere video games will also be available for purchase on game cards and can be inserted directly into either one of Zodiac's dual expansions slots for a simple plug and play experience.

To support the game developer community and help accelerate the creation of high-quality titles for the Zodiac console, Tapwave offers a fully customized version of the X-Forge 3D game engine (www.x-forge.com), an ideal tool for rapid prototype and development. Tapwave also worked closely with PalmSource and Metrowerks to develop the Tapwave Native Application (TNA) model which provides many new development tools and gives all developers the ability to build native ARM applications for the Zodiac.

In conjunction with the Tapwave hardware offerings, the company will both publish games and continue to aggressively support independent game development specifically for the Tapwave platform. By keeping the platform open, building a strong developer support program, and providing a distribution channel, Tapwave will leverage the thousands of developers focused on mobile gaming and build a strong win-win business opportunity.

Bundled with the Tapwave Zodiac is a full suite of entertainment software.

Quality Testing ProgramTo help ensure Tapwave Zodiac users have a great gaming experience, each Zodiac game goes through Tapwave's quality testing program. Games that are labeled "tuned" or "certified" for Zodiac are specifically optimized for the console and have passed third-party quality testing. These games must take advantage of specific features found on the Tapwave Zodiac hardware, such as the analog controller, the 480 x 320 display, Bluetooth and more, in order to be awarded with these qualifications.

To further build a Zodiac community and to fuel multiplayer play, the Tapwave web site will be a resource for the Zodiac game community to post high-scores, participate in tournaments, win prizes, share information and download game demos.

Some of the games Zodiac users will be able to purchase in the coming months are: