February 11, 2008 05:21 PM Eastern Time

Newly Formed TYRANT Studios Led by Top Game Industry Talent

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The formation of TYRANT Studios, LLC, an entertainment software and technology company, was announced today as discussions with publishers began for the team’s first original project. TYRANT Studios is led by Executive Producer, Hardy LeBel, and Lead Designer, Anders Hejdenberg. The company is headquartered in Seattle, WA and features an innovative production model with contributing team members from around the world.

“We’re excited to announce the formation of TYRANT and share our vision for the future of game development”

LeBel has fourteen years of games development experience and an outstanding record of accomplishment in the industry. His previous credits for published games include work as a Designer for Vigilante 8 and PacMan World 20^th Anniversary, Lead Designer for Oni, and Halo: Combat Evolved, and as a Design Consultant for Halo 2. As a Design Director for Microsoft Games Studios, he worked with developers such as Bioware on their original title, Jade Empire, and Gas Powered Games on Dungeon Siege 2. LeBel was also the Creative Director for Zipper Interactive with published titles including SOCOM 3 and SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo.

“We’re excited to announce the formation of TYRANT and share our vision for the future of game development,” said LeBel. “Our first project is the result of months of preproduction and planning – and with our collected experience, we believe we’ll change the way games are made.”

Hejdenberg’s wealth of experience and knowledge about game design, art, and production are great assets to the TYRANT team. His previous credits for published games include: Lead Designer for Battlefield 2: Modern Combat, Design Consultant for Battlefield 2142, and Project Director for Futurama.

"It has been fantastic to see the results of bringing together such a passionate, creative, and highly motivated team of this caliber," said Hejdenberg. "We've managed to create a concept that we believe will become a trendsetter – not only in games, but in mainstream media culture as well."

The TYRANT team consists of seven core members, who bring valuable experience from in and outside of the games industry. Published credits for the team members include: Interstate '76, Spider-Man, Tony Hawk Pro Skater, Midnight Club 2, Alter Echo, Crimson Skies (PC), Cel Damage, and Viva Piñata – Party Animals.

TYRANT Studios is currently in discussions with publishers regarding its first original project.

About TYRANT Studios

TYRANT Studios is a highly motivated team comprised of seasoned professionals with proven experience delivering games with broad market appeal. The studio is headquartered in Seattle, Washington and has particular expertise in distributed development techniques. For more information about TYRANT Studios, please visit www.tyrantstudios.com.

Halo, Halo 2, Crimson Skies (PC), Cel Damage, Viva Piñata - Party Animals, and Microsoft Game Studios are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

Gas Powered Games and Dungeon Siege 2 are exclusive trademarks of Gas Powered Games Corp.

Zipper Interactive, SOCOM 3, and SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

Vigilante 8, Interstate '76, Tony Hawk Pro Skater, and Spider-Man are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Activision, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

PacMan World 20^th Anniversary is either a registered trademark or trademark of Namco Bandai Games America, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

Oni and Midnight Club 2 are either a registered trademarks or trademarks of Take Two Interactive Software, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

Battlefield 2: Modern Combat, Battlefield 2142, Bioware, and Jade Empire are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Electronic Arts, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

Alter Echo is either a registered trademark or trademark of THQ, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

Futurama is either a registered trademark or trademark of Vivendi Universal Games in the United States and/or other countries.